Your answer to John B. in a recent "On the House" appearing in the Rocky Mountain News, Arvada, CO, stated that strips or edging could be used to give new life to old countertops, but that this was not a do-it-yourselfer project.Well, as I was looking for another item in my husbands HOME MECHANIX MAGAZINE (September 1990 issue), I found an article on pages 62 and 63 titled "Counter Punch Create Custom Countertops with Decorative Snap-on Edging" by Thomas H. Jones. It seems to contradict your article in that the edging can be put on by a do-it-yourselfer and the cost is minimal for equipment. It also states that material costs are minimal, ranging from $2.20 to $7.50 per linear foot. The article refers to the Ralph Wilson Plastics Co., 600 General Bruce Dr., Dept. HM990, Temple, TX 76504. HM should be contacted.
This may not be the information John B. needs, as I know nothing about countertops, but remembered your article and just happened on this item in HOME MECHANIX MAGAZINE . Hope it helps.
Every letter that we get helps, and yours is no exception. Our thanks in helping us to further clarify issues surrounding the installation of Permaedge.
The good news is that our article and the one in HOME MECHANIX , refer to the same product, Permaedge, manufactured by Ralph Wilson Plastics Company. The firm is better known in many areas as Wilsonart Plastics Company. Permaedge is an edge application designed by Ralph Wilson that adds beauty and interest to plastic laminate tops and back-splashes. A new countertop made using Permaedge costs about 15 to 20 percent more than normal rolled or square edged tops. But the product is so beautiful and unique, we feel using it could literally double the value of a countertop.
The bad news is that we were right, and Mr. Jones could be leading his less than highly experienced readers down the golden path of dismay. Properly done, that is -- installed in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, adding Permaedge does not qualify as an inexpensive home improvement project for the do-it-yourselfer.
We called Melvin Pitts in the quality control department at Ralph Wilson Plastics and he confirmed the advise we gave in our article as being correct. Pitts said that he knew of no "short-cut" for the PROPER installation of Permaedge. He also stated that island cabinet countertops could be done in place (with the proper equipment), but agreed that inside corners, and edges near walls would be a real problem.
The machines that must be purchased that are approved for installation of the product cost nearly $2,000.
Yes, the work can be done by jury-rigging a router, but a proper fit at the point where the countertop meets the Permaedge is critical. A finely machined edge is required at the countertop for a good installation. A do-it-yourselfer might get lucky, but the odds for success are poor. In not using the proper tools, there is a very good chance that the top might be damaged beyond repair.
We wish that Ralph Wilson Plastics would make their Permaedge installation tools available at rental stores, and that they would develop a machine that would solve the problem of applying Permaedge to countertops that are in place. Perhaps they will, after information about their product becomes more wide-spread. We'll let you know just as soon as we hear anything.
And thanks again, for letting us know about the conflicting information.
