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Permalink Reply by eric on December 11, 2008 at 6:06pm

I’ve used a few different materials for counter tops, the cheapest would be “furniture or paint” grade birch veneer plywood topped with many coats for polyurethane stained any color you want. with this you will need to spend a little extra time sanding and finishing with a nice trim. I’ve also use the thickest plywood I could find then had the local metal shop fit galvanized sheet metal to it, then brush with vinager to “etch” the steel then coat it with a clear coat of poly. I’ve also used copper flashing (which needs a lot of up keep but looks cool. all of these tops are still in use and still look good. I have never used this but I’ve seen granite tiles used as a counter top aswell. I do do suggest that you should spend the time and money to do it right the first time because hopefully you will be so busy that you will never have time to do it again. good luck and have fun
E

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Permalink Reply by Al Sterling on December 11, 2008 at 6:52pm

Rob:
Have you looked into stainless steel? NSF grade metal sinks, like counters, incorporate rounded, not welded, corners, so that contaminents can't hide and develope bacteria. I'm all about long term maintenance, and once you drop in the "working counter", chances are you won't go back to change it out for an upgrade. Have you considered checking out used, if available, stainless tables? You get the easy to clean feature and it's sturdy and mobile within the work area......should you decide to change things around.

Ironically, back in Brazil, granite is a "commodity item" and found in even the poorest kitchen areas. It's cheap. When I was back home with our family in '89, everyone was excited about the "high end kitchens" that had FORMICA counter tops! When we got back to SoCal, everyone was on the "Granite Countertop" remodel bandwagon. I could only smile at those who looked at granite as the best thing ever. Well, we ended up remodeling in granite in '03. What a rip! But then, we don't live in Brazil?

Home Depot and Lowes both have a line of pre-built counter tops. I used a six foot counter on my espresso test bar in the garage. While it's already got a water resistent top, I'd never use that for commercial kitchen applications, nor do I think the county health inspector would let it pass. BTW, is you county health dept. laid back enough not to make the counter material an issue?

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Permalink Reply by Chris DeMarse on December 12, 2008 at 11:25am

Alterra uses thick plywood with either epoxy or a bunch of layers of urethane.. it looks bohemian.
You could also do concrete if you want to learn how to pour it yourself.

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Permalink Reply by Rob on December 13, 2008 at 9:36am

Thanks for the ideas Eric! Would you happen to have any pictures of the plywood/birch top? It sounds like it could be very nice looking if done right. I'm certainly not scared of a little elbow grease!

Thanks again,
Rob

eric said:

I’ve used a few different materials for counter tops, the cheapest would be “furniture or paint” grade birch veneer plywood topped with many coats for polyurethane stained any color you want. with this you will need to spend a little extra time sanding and finishing with a nice trim. I’ve also use the thickest plywood I could find then had the local metal shop fit galvanized sheet metal to it, then brush with vinager to “etch” the steel then coat it with a clear coat of poly. I’ve also used copper flashing (which needs a lot of up keep but looks cool. all of these tops are still in use and still look good. I have never used this but I’ve seen granite tiles used as a counter top aswell. I do do suggest that you should spend the time and money to do it right the first time because hopefully you will be so busy that you will never have time to do it again. good luck and have fun
E

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Permalink Reply by Rob on December 13, 2008 at 9:39am

Thanks Chris,
I think that idea sounds great - would you have any pictures or know of any sites that might give me a better look at the plywood top? Thanks for your ideas.

Have a good one,
Rob

Chris DeMarse said:

Alterra uses thick plywood with either epoxy or a bunch of layers of urethane.. it looks bohemian.
You could also do concrete if you want to learn how to pour it yourself.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Milletto on December 13, 2008 at 9:42am

We used a recycled particle board with the same type of laminate, almost gymnasium finish.

http://flickr.com/photos/coffeeschool/sets/72057594122301082/

You can see the counters in some photos from a past class on the link above.

- Matt

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Permalink Reply by Rob on December 13, 2008 at 10:08am

Thanks for the link Matt! I think if we used a birch or maple top with that finish it could look even warmer than the particle board. Love the idea and look though. I'd rather not blow my brains out on a countertop that really shouldn't be the focus anyway...

Matt Milletto said:

We used a recycled particle board with the same type of laminate, almost gymnasium finish.

http://flickr.com/photos/coffeeschool/sets/72057594122301082/

You can see the counters in some photos from a past class on the link above.

- Matt

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Permalink Reply by Matt Milletto on December 13, 2008 at 10:15am

wood grains and particle board really help hide any coffee grounds as well. :) In a cafe a I managed a few years back we actually did our floors with MDS particle board and put a thick laminate on them. IT was cheap and beautiful. Whats funny is we had a $9000 piece of Paduk (sp?) wood from Africa as the actual bar, and way more people commented on the floor then the bar. ha.

- Matt

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Permalink Reply by Rob on December 13, 2008 at 10:20am

Sounds very cool Matt - thanks again!



Matt Milletto said:

wood grains and particle board really help hide any coffee grounds as well. :) In a cafe a I managed a few years back we actually did our floors with MDS particle board and put a thick laminate on them. IT was cheap and beautiful. Whats funny is we had a $9000 piece of Paduk (sp?) wood from Africa as the actual bar, and way more people commented on the floor then the bar. ha.

- Matt

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Permalink Reply by stephanie crocker on December 13, 2008 at 11:54am

Even though it's not seen as a luxurious or even creative, there are quite a few very cool patterns and colors available in Formica. It might cost a touch more than building your own countertop, but you would have the advantage of time which you can spend focusing on other tasks like how to build your business so it's profitable. I think good leaders are smart not to spend so much time doing hard labor, and rather focus their energy on building profits which will be more important long term.

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Permalink Reply by Rob on December 14, 2008 at 10:30am

Hi Stephanie,

We are certainly looking at a Formica top as well, we have more things to worry about than a countertop that in truth shouldn't be the focus of a shop. Thanks for your thoughts!

Rob

stephanie crocker said:

Even though it's not seen as a luxurious or even creative, there are quite a few very cool patterns and colors available in Formica. It might cost a touch more than building your own countertop, but you would have the advantage of time which you can spend focusing on other tasks like how to build your business so it's profitable. I think good leaders are smart not to spend so much time doing hard labor, and rather focus their energy on building profits which will be more important long term.

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Permalink Reply by TheMochaMom on December 29, 2008 at 10:19am

We just did a countertop remodel project here at home, instead of formica that won't hold up or your high end granite, we chose a venetian stone tile (13" x 13" squares). I just finished the grout work myself while my hubby is at work. I have to say, this was super easy for us to do, and it looks so high end, not like your cheap formica. We expect to get many wonderful years (if not a lifetime) from our new countertops. Good luck to you in your project. Hope this helps! We spent less than $300 doing a huge area ('U' shaped kitchen countertops).

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