What counter top material?

[goshawks00]

We are starting to design a new counter top for our safari, and am trying to decide which material to use. This will be a laminate top and am wondering whether to use MDF board or go with a plywood top. The plywood would be heavier , but I have a concern about the MDF being strong enough to hold any screws with all the movement of the trailer as it goes down the road.... Ideas?
Thanks,
Barry & Karen

[Lothlorian]

I went with new plywood and laminate. I just put it in two weeks ago. This is the link for mine. My counter top was 1" thick (I think???)

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f109...-70006-25.html


Brian

[tkasten]

We used plywood for the base of our new countertop. We felt it would be much stronger.

[barts]

Fir plywood has a density of 32 lbs/cubic foot, whereas MDF is about 43 lbs/cubic foot, although the latter varies somewhat. Plywood is lighter and stronger, holds fasteners better and doesn't off-gas toxic chemicals. MDF won't dent as easily and is very stable.

- Bart

[goshawks00]

Thanks guys that was my initial thought to do plywood but a counter top gut tried to tell me different, maybe because he was trying to sell me MDF.
Our existing countertop ( factory) is 5/8" so will stick with that.

[tkasten]

I made a mistake. Our countertop is made with MDF. We used plywood on top of the cabinet frames to attach the new countertop. Sorry if I misled anyone.

[perryg114]

MDF will come apart when exposed to water. I would recommend plywood. Plywood is lighter as well. The kitchen counter material from Lowes or Home Depor is pre-laminated MDF. This stuff is cheap at about $100 for a 10 foot section. If you want to use plywood it is more work because you have to laminate the formica yourself. I still recommend plywood. If you use MDF make sure all edges are sealed. I would coat the edges with polyurathane and then use some sort of adhesive between the sections. It is common for new countertops that are not sealed well to pucker at the seams.

Perry

[goshawks00]

Thanks Tim. I went looking for 5/8" plywood today and couldn't find any at the local big box stores Now they are 19/32"s or 24/32" No 20/32" I also have 36' of round no drip bull nose which measures 13/16". I am thinking with 3/4" ply and a layer of formica I will come out at just exactly 13/16".
We'll see.
Barry

[Land Shark]

Both the sub-straight's your mentioning have pros and cons. Neither are so superior to one another to create a dilemma. The focus should be on the type of laminent. All laminent manufactures have 3 grades. Formica, Nevermar Pionite its endless. Standard (the thickest) Vertical (Thiner) and postforming designed to do bullnose's. If durability is the goal, Counter tops should be Standard Grade.

Any question, email me. Owned a cabinet shop for 11 years.

Glenn

[goshawks00]

E-Mail sent ,

Thanks Barry & Karen

[samb]

I just used MDF for the first time...............will never use it again.
Sam