Laminate benchtops are the workhorse of the kitchen world, most kitchens have laminate benchtops. They are highly customizable, cost effective and feel premium.
Inspired by shape and form, combining sophistication with modern colours and finishes, laminate reimagines the classical while embracing modern trends. There are hundreds of colour options available and can be customized far more cost effectively than other benchtops. At O'Brien Group, not only can our factory produce high volume, we can also custom build something unique to suit your needs.
Laminate Benchtops are...The most widely used counter tops in the world. They are used in household kitchens, commercial kitchens, bathrooms, offices and in almost any other area that requires a solid surface.
They are easy to clean and relinquish colour staining very well. They are not immune to staining though and can bubble under intense heat. Laminate is ideal for: Benchtops, Vanities, Cabinetry fronts, Feature panels, Internal doors, Retail furniture, Bar tops/Fronts, Dining/Coffee tables, Wall linings, Desktops, Splashback/Upstands.
Laminate Benchtop Construction
Laminate benchtops are strong, hard wearing and look fantastic. They are made with a thick board of MDF compacted wood. Typically the board thickness will be 18mm thick however to make the benchtop feel thicker and more premium we add extra wood around the edges. A typical benchtop will have a 36mm edge.
What is a top-mount sink?
A typical sink will have a lip around the edge that sits over the edge of the bowl cutout. This is a top mounted sink. The lip stops the bowl from falling through the hole and stops water from splashing into the hole. Other names for these sinks are: drop-in sinks, overmount sinks and rimmed sinks.
What is an undermount sink?
An undermount sink is attached to the underside of the benchtop and then a seal is placed around the join for a smooth transition from bowl to bench. Many bowls can be undermounted but not all, so please check with your rep if you are unsure.
When it comes to your bench top's edges, our machinery and skilled staff can provide you with almost any look you like. Each edge can either stay square or be rounded. We can make any rounding configuration you like, including just the top or bottom part of the bench being rounded whilst the other side stays square. Also the radius of the rounding can be specified.
Similar options apply to the corners where you can either leave your corner as a 90° corner or have it rounded or even cut off. We can also make softened corners which is when we shave off a slice of the corner of the bench to make it less likely for people to bang into.
Cut Shapes and Bowl Installation
We can also cut out shapes and install the sink (bowl) for you. Cut-outs can be used for anything including hobs.
A dishwasher seal is a protective coating that was commonly used in the early days of dishwasher draws as they would leak substantial amounts of steam. The excessive steam would cause the wood in the benchtop to expand, get moldy or rot. This is not a common problem anymore, however we still provide this option.
We also make large pieces of furniture such as boardroom tables, executive desks and toilet or changing room partitions. Boardroom tables are joined together using clamps to make a tight join that is only visible under very close inspection.