Counter Top Questions

[Carl Garner]

Hi guys. I am just about ready to install counter tops on 4 base cabinets for our den. There are 3 cabinets that will be 30" high and one (for the TV) that will be 24" high.

I want to build the CTs from 3/4" birch ply, with a 3/4" X 1-1/2" oak edging. My wife doesn't want to put regular kitchen cabinet type laminate on top, so since they will not get the abuse of kitchen cabinets, do you think stain and polyurethane (several coats) would do okay? If not, what would you suggest?

Carl

[Keith Webster]

Should be ok....but I would use water base poly. Will not yellow like the oil base will.

[Carl Garner]

Thanks for the reply Keith.

Regarding your statement about the water-based not yellowing, since I am staining the birch ply a medium golden color anyway, would it really matter if I used oil-based instead of water-based? I have always used oil-based poly and never water-based in other applications, but I would be willing to use the water-based if necessary. I don't think I would really mind if the oil-based yellowed a bit though.

Also, if any other members see a better way than poly (or laminate) on the CTs, please chime in.

Again, thanks.

Carl