How to Hide the Seams in Laminate Countertops
Laminate countertops are an excellent choice if you’re looking for something low cost and low maintenance. Laminate also does not harbor bacteria, as it is a nonporous surface. However, they are notorious for seams. So, what can you do about the seams to make your counter look immaculate?
You can hide the seams in your laminate countertop by filling them. There are a variety of seam fillers from which you can choose. Choosing a color to match your laminate will create a flawless finish! You won’t even be able to see where the seams originally were.
The key successfully sealing the seams is to do it correctly. There are several steps that you need to take to make this happen. When you finish, it will look like your countertop is one piece.
Do You Need Countertop Installers?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
Finding a Seam Filler For Your Laminate Countertop
Each brand of laminate sealer comes in a variety of different colors. Therefore, you can use it on any design to achieve that flawless look. There are several home improvement stores you can find these at including:
Lowes
Lowe’s has this excellent set of putty with different colors you can mix in. This particular sealer runs $49.99 before tax.
Home Depot
There are a variety of seam fillers here with different color options. The price ranges from $5.00 to $15.99, depending on the sizes and brands.
Amazon
Amazon has different kits you can purchase that include the putty and colors. Depending on the size, these range from $9.99 to $75.99
Of course, it’s important to remember that the prices above are just a reflection of the average price. These are subject to change at anytime.
There are other places online where you can search for filler. The list above is just to name a few main places that carry this. Although, any home improvement store will have this on hand for you.
To begin this project, you will need:- The Seam filler of your choice
- Coloring
- A putty knife
- A clean rag
- Acetone
- A plastic plate or something to put the seam filler on
- A soft-bristled cleaning brush
Preparing the Seam of Your Laminate Countertop
The idea of preparation is to ensure crumbs and dirt are out of the seam. The best way to do this is to first take a soft brush to it. Brush along the seam rather than across to get any dust or dirt out.
Next, take your putty knife and dig anything out that did not come off with the brush. After you’ve finished this, take the brush and move the debris off the countertop.
Now you can clean the seams with the acetone and a rag. Pour the acetone onto your cloth, and wipe the seams down. Make sure you care to get every nook and cranny. Cleaning the seams with acetone will help get the dirt out while assisting the putty to bond.
Preparing Your Seam Filler
Now that your countertop is ready, you want to prepare the seam filler. To do this, you will need the plastic plate or surface you are using to mix the filler. Place some of the putty onto the surface and mix it with the color(s) needed to match your laminate.
If your countertops are multi-colored, it would be a good idea to test the colors. You can do this by mixing the correct ones. While doing this, try to match the shade of your counters. For marble laminate, there is a marble sealer you can buy to match.
Filling the Seams in Your Laminate Countertops
Take the edge of your putty knife and gather some mixed sealer onto it. Next, you will apply the filler by dragging it across the seam, not along. Dragging it across the seam will help to catch the filler into the right places. Pay attention, though, as the sealer will shrink as it dries. You may need several applications to fill the gaps.
When you fill your seals, the putty should level off at the top. Take care to go through each seal and level the top before it dries.
Scraping your Seams
Now that you have filled your seams, you want to scrape them. The correct way to scrape is to do so along the line. Your putty knife should be horizontal and level against your laminate. Drag the edge of your knife along the path to level the filler.
When you finish the leveling, you want to clean the seams again. First, take your brush and get the dried filler off of the laminate. Next, apply some more acetone to your rag and clean around the seams.
A Few Additional Tips to Make This Job Easier
There are several other tips you can apply to make this job easier:
- Do not drag your putty knife vertically across the seam. Dragging vertically will cause your blade to ruin the beautiful job you just finished.
- Use small amounts of filler at a time so that it doesn’t smear onto your laminate. This won’t ruin it, but it will help keep the job clean. It’s always nice when you don’t have additional messes to worry about!
- Keep a dry rag on hand. A dry rag will help assist you in drying the seams before application. Microfiber cloths are great for picking up new dust.
- If you need a break, take one! But, if you do, make sure you don’t leave the filler out as it will dry up rather quickly. Also, do not stop in the middle of a filling job. This will make it harder to perfect the job you’ve worked so hard to complete.
- Keep your putty knife clean. If you set your knife down to get more putty, clean it with acetone. It’s never a good idea to pick up fresh filler with hardened putty on your knife. The hardened filler will make it harder to fill your seams and potentially ruin your job. You don’t need the hassle of digging your filler out to redo the job.
Where Do You Put Seams On Laminate Counter Tops?
The best place to put your seams is along with the kitchen sink. If you place the seam along the edge of your kitchen sink, it makes filling easy! Sometimes you can get away without needing any filler at all by doing this.
Not a lot of people look at your sink line. That reason alone is why it’s an excellent spot to place it. Another decent spot is in the middle of your counter. If you do this, keep it out of the light (especially if your kitchen has recessed lighting.) Also, make sure it’s not adjacent to cupboard edges.
The reason it’s a bad idea to place it under the edge of a cupboard is that it will make it visible. Our eyes are trained to see patterns; therefore, someone may notice your seam filling job. If you place the seam in a less conspicuous area, no one will notice it.
Another great idea is to get your laminate cut for your countertops! Getting it cut will make it, so you have no seams to deal with in the first place.
Do You Need Countertop Installers?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
Filling Your Seams in Your Countertops is Easy
Filling seams is one of the most straightforward jobs you will take on! As long as you have the necessary tools to do the job, it will be a breeze.
The best part about it? Seam filler comes in all colors. You can choose any design of laminate you want and not worry about the color. There’s a filler for that!
Related Guides
Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.
More by Heather Robbins
![10 Best Zero Turn Mowers – [2022 Reviews & Ultimate Buyer's Guide]](https://cdn-fastly.upgradedhome.com/media/2023/07/31/9070522/10-best-zero-turn-mowers-2022-reviews-ultimate-buyer-s-guide.jpg?size=350x220)
