[Joeboo25]

My dad and I were kicking around theories on how to install a dishwasher in my new home, without losing the storage space. The kitchen counter top is L-shaped with a bar, but only covers about half the room to leave space for a breakfast nook. There isn't really enough room, or spare cabinets, to just knock out a section for the washer.

We were thinking one option might be to actually cut the laminate/formica and move the bar and a set of drawers over 24" to make room, and try to find a matching section of counter top to fill the hole, once we frame it back up.

First off, are we crazy? Is there a better way to do this? Are there any tips out there about how to blend the new seams?

Maybe someday we'll do a full redesign/remodel, but I need to do with what I have for now.

 

[BigJim]

Why not make a butcher block top on the dishwasher and make it look intentional, instead of trying to hide a seam.

 

[Joeboo25]

I thought about that and it might work. The front of the countertop is curved (waterfall?), so if the block was square it would stick out, but... maybe I can put a radius on it with router.

 

[BigJim]

You could make the new top just a little pronounced, so it would stand out a little to look intentional but not be a focal point. Rounding the edge would be nice also. If I went that way I would seal the bottom of the top so moisture wouldn't affect it.

 

[Joeboo25]

So where the heck do you find a 24" by 24" piece of butcher block?

 

[Bumpr1080]

Not sure about in VA. but I would look for a localish sawmill. They might be able to sell you some scrap slabs from their cutting operations. Obviously you should consider the kind of wood you are going to use in regards to its hardness as a cutting and cooking surface.

 

[user1007]

Some place like a restaurant supply or even a home kitchen supply place should have butcher block 24x24. You might think of bamboo, by the way. For example from a quick search.

http://www.choppingblocks.com/bamboo-butcher-block.html

Found this just googling butcher block along with many other possibilities.

http://butcherblockco.com/custom-countertops

 

[Msradell]

Depending on how long that section of counter is you might be better off just putting new countertop on the entire section instead of trying to splice in a news section. No matter what you do if you just put a new section over the dishwasher it's going to look like that's what you did instead of looking original.

 

[carpdad]

First, dishwasher should be next to the sink, so you may end up cutting near the sink. Water from sink and steam from dishwasher is going to get between the laminate and the plywood no matter how you seal the edge, let alone it's almost impossible to find matching laminate and cutting the edge smooth enough.
I would not cut the laminate. Make 24" wide space next to the sink and add countertop elsewhere, island on wheels or use the portable dishwasher until you are ready to renovate. Portable can be installed permanently later.

 

[BigJim]

First, dishwasher should be next to the sink, so you may end up cutting near the sink. Water from sink and steam from dishwasher is going to get between the laminate and the plywood no matter how you seal the edge, let alone it's almost impossible to find matching laminate and cutting the edge smooth enough.
I would not cut the laminate. Make 24" wide space next to the sink and add countertop elsewhere, island on wheels or use the portable dishwasher until you are ready to renovate. Portable can be installed permanently later.

You are right about just sealing the edges of the counter top over the dishwasher, that is why I said to seal all of the underside of the counter top over the dish washer. It may not stop all moisture but it is better than nothing.

 

[md2lgyk]

If you go the butcher block route, just don't plan on ever using it. We used to have one - not long before it started to look like crap. And they're a real PITA to keep clean and sanitized. Almost guaranteed to become a salmonella village.

 

[BigJim]

If you go the butcher block route, just don't plan on ever using it. We used to have one - not long before it started to look like crap. And they're a real PITA to keep clean and sanitized. Almost guaranteed to become a salmonella village.

You are dead right about this, if you use it to cut things it will look really bad and quick.

 

[CoconutPete]

Is replacing the countertop out of the question? Laminate countertops are pretty affordable.

If you like butcherblock you could replace the whole schebang with butcherblock also - it is also pretty affordable. I put 13' of butcherblock in my kitchen and love it. 4 coats of waterlox and you can leave red wine on it overnight and nothing absorbs.

 

[Joeboo25]

Right, I can't imagine using an imbedded butcher block...as a butcher block. We would probably use it as a general prep surface, but I have my own cutting boards.

My dishwasher is a portable that we want to convert to built in, but maybe I'll keep it rolling until the full remodel happens. The full counter is actually C-shaped (long center section with two legs, one with a radius), so I didn't know how much effort/cost it would be to do a full replacement.

 

[CoconutPete]

Do you have a picture you could post? It may be better to just hold off on doing anything till the full remodel since you are planning it anyway.

I don't cut on my butcherblock either..... frankly I think it's weird when people do - you don't chop food on your laminate countertop, so why start just because its' butcherblock.