Good Material for galley counter and icebox lining

[keepondancin]

Re-read your post. For the ice box, you can go to a good lumber yard, not a box store, and get the FRP panels that are used for the walls of commercial kitchens. Use the back side out, smoother than the pebble finishe "A" side. A 4x8 sheet will be about $80. It is easy to cut with a circular saw. Research a good caulk for the corners and to use to adhere it. Good material that is easy to work with using wood working tools.

[rockDAWG]

Originally Posted by RayandMindi

We thought that copper might be a good, durable material to put down for our countertop,

Well.. do yo see anyone use cooper for their countertop at home? There is your answer. Just go to Home Depot to find out ....LOL

[markpierce]

Granite works for us.

[meatservo]

You guys have been polite and professional. I am a complete noob to sailing, maybe It's because of my mechanical experience in life, but I am absolutely dumbfounded that anyone would consider copper in a marine enviroment to be suitable for a countertop. no offense intended to the OP...





meatservo

[DumnMad]

Here's a very recent review for you to look at.
If its easy to replace and up-date, high pressure laminate looks good.

Granite tops Consumer's kitchen benchtop testing | Stuff.co.nz

[JPA Cate]

I've seen polished granite flat tables. How much would granite weigh for a sink/counter top?

I think we need something different. Not sure that Corian is the answer (vulnerable to knives), but there must be something better than 25 yr. old formica.....?

Ann

[meatservo]

G10? They make nice grips for my 1911... Might also show cut marks though.

I think it's hard to beat wood, but I wouldn't know the proper type to use in a marine environment without asking a professional. Someone else smarter than me might recommend a suitable wood.


meatservo

[DumnMad]

Regular sealing of granite or concrete is important

If you into recycled stuff make sure its not from a recycled urinal. Test by pouring on boiling water.

[meatservo]

Originally Posted by DumnMad

Regular sealing of granite or concrete is important

If you into recycled stuff make sure its not from a recycled urinal. Test by pouring on boiling water.

Wow, that's a great heads up. What will we see if it's recycled urinal? smell? Discoloration? Thanks for educating us...



meatservo

[DumnMad]

Originally Posted by meatservo

Wow, that's a great heads up. What will we see if it's recycled urinal? smell? Discoloration? Thanks for educating us...

meatservo

PONG

I heard that the origins of an ornate tea table was discovered when hot tea was spilt.

[jimbunyard]

How bout some solid bamboo flooring, sand the toxic finish off (or not if you want to live dangerously), glue it down with 5200, and a fiddle of
1 1/4" x 3/8" mahogany? For the ice box lining, the FRP panels mentioned above are a good idea, but you can get the same thing from home depot or similar for about 20.00 a sheet (last time I checked). If you pay the freight I'll send you the mahogany gratis...well... if you need 12 feet or so or less...

[UNCIVILIZED]

Originally Posted by meatservo

G10? They make nice grips for my 1911... Might also show cut marks though.

I think it's hard to beat wood, but I wouldn't know the proper type to use in a marine environment without asking a professional. Someone else smarter than me might recommend a suitable wood.
meatservo

Most types of wood work. Each has slightly different propeties, such as how much it darkens over time, or dent resistance. But in a countertop you'll want to have it sealed anyway. Such as with varnish, or epoxy. Including using a thin layer of cloth along with the resin, which the cloth will be transparent when wetted out, so you'll still realize the full beauty of the wood. Including inlays if you like. And any surface can be periodically recoated to fix any nicks in it. Just don't chop on it directly, that's what a cutting board is for.

An alternative to G10 is to use FRP laminate, or make some DIY G10 at home using a vacuum bag, & a smooth surface to lay it up on. It's properties won't be equivalent to G10 but it'll be more than tough enough in this application. And it too can be recoated when needed, just as with wood.

On Corian, quite a number of boats use it for countertops, with the fiddles being a monocoque piece, integral to the working surface. So if you have that kind of machining capability at your disposal, then why not? And such machining can be hired out, as is done with home countertops.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Ray & Mindi.

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

I think we need something different. Not sure that Corian is the answer (vulnerable to knives), but there must be something better than 25 yr. old formica.....?

Ann

Corian is harder and more scratch resistant than Formica. Corian is more stain resistant than Formica. Corian is not a laminate covering (which can and will come unlaminated). Corian is also repairable because it is homogeneous, while Formica is not. Corian can be milled to create interior radiused corners, making cleaning much easier.

Not uncommon to see Formica in perfectly good shape (like my 29 yo formica in my galley). So it stands to reason that Corian is an equally good if not superior alternative.

[Cheechako]

I have seen one boat at the Wooden Boat show with copper counter tops. I think it was from the late 30's. It has some dings and some green in a few places.