A high-quality laminate roller will simplify building counters, veneering wood, and installing flooring. And ensure a higher quality result as bubbles and adhesion issues will be minimized.
When I started building cabinets, we made 90% of our counters from laminate.
This meant a reasonable amount of time preparing the counters, sanding, and ensuring the surface was clean and ready to go. And the final step, of course, was carefully setting the laminate and then using a J roller over the entire surface (inside to outside edges).
Woodworkers have trusted J rollers for decades to produce high-quality projects from countertops, veneer projects, and even flooring. See what’s best for your next project.
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Best Laminate Rollers
I’ve spent hours rolling laminate sheets to ensure the solid adhesive connection between the laminate sheet and the MDF subsurface. And while there are a lot of laminate rollers on the market, my preferred J-Roller is a simple design with a comfortable and long handle.
1. Fulton Tools Laminate J Roller
See on Amazon: Fulton Roller
Top Features
- Specially designed for applying pressure on wood and plastic laminates
- Curved handle for additional pressure
- Features super-comfortable grips in two different styles
- Provides optimum glue contact
- Measures 1-1/2-Inch diameter by 3-Inch wide by 12-inches long
Overview
From veneer to countertops, a laminate j roller is a must to ensure proper adhesion and no bubbles. And while a simple design, these devices are the most effective way to apply even pressure on small to large projects.
Pros
- Padded handle
- Easy to use
- Non-marring black roller
- 3/8″ rubber wall
- Steel construction
Cons
- None
2. Laminate Floor Roller by DCT
See on Amazon: DCT Laminate Roller
Top Features
- Extendable handle
- Nonslip grip surface
- 7.5-inch roller width
Overview
Moving from the countertop to the floor, a laminate floor roller is the best way to ensure the flooring is adhered to and without bubbles.
And, as most projects require a mix of standing and sitting rolling, the extendable handle will work anywhere you need.
Pros
- Padded handle
- Easy to use
- Non-marring rollers
- Steel construction
Cons
- None
How to Use a Laminate Roller
Suppose you haven’t applied a laminate or veneer before; you might be wondering why it’s needed. So let’s consider three ways a laminate roller ensures a tight seal on your project.
Bubbles are a laminates #1 enemy
The #1 issue with any laminate installation is a bubble. This issue is so damaging to a project that it will require (in most cases) a complete rebuild of the project.
Why’s that? Well, contact adhesive does its job very well. So well, once two pieces are connected, they do not fall apart.
Six simple steps for using a laminate roller for counters
How can a laminate roller help? Here’s how I apply laminate with one:
- Use clean, dust-free sticks 8-12″ apart to separate your subsurface and laminate.
- Once the laminate is aligned, remove the sticks and firmly press the laminate down (I use my hand here).
- Once you have a 2-3′ surface down, use the j roller to work towards your sticks (keeping a good 10-12″ away to avoid breaking the laminate).
- Keep repeating this process until all sticks are removed.
- Once all the sticks are removed, start using the laminate roller from the center of the surface and roll to the edges. Do this 2-3 times over the entire surface with careful attention to the edges
- Trim the excess laminate with a laminate edge trimmer
- Re-roll the edges firmly with the laminate trimmer
Use a bright light to find bubbles fast
When you think you’re done, then it’s time to inspect.
To quality check your finished project, use a bright light and close inspection of the project to find bubbles. Due to varying angles showing different flaws, I like to look at the surface at all angles.
Find a bubble? Immediately start working directly over it with the roller.
Laminate Roller Features
While there’s a slight variation in these models, there are a few considerations when shopping for a roller.
High pressure tools require a good handle
A laminate roller is used because of its narrow contact surface with the laminate, adhesive, and subsurface. Because of this, it can generate 35 to 50 PSI to force a solid seal.
But this also requires a sturdy, comfortable handle on the laminate roller. So look for a handle with a wide, large grip that will provide comfort and encourage the application of force on the largest of jobs.
- A J-roller gets its name from the J shape of the handle. Wonder why a J shape? It forces the pressure over the center of the handle and, thus, the roller.
Looking at roller size and material
Matching the size of the roller to the job is essential. And since these rollers work by applying force, you’ll want to remember that a sizeable laminate roller built for flooring applications will not work for smaller jobs.
Roller considerations:
- A 3-4″ wide roller is fine for counters and veneers.
- The roller should be non-mar to prevent marking delicate surfaces
- Rollers are typically small in diameter to provide maximum pressure (1-1/2″ is standard)
J Rollers for counter laminates
A laminate counter roller is typically hand-held and has one roller with a handle up to 14″ long. However, if your job requires more extensive counters and bigger jobs, a two or 3-wheeled roller with a more oversized handle is a good option.
But remember that caution is required not to break off the laminate’s corners as you roll. And the more significant the roller, the greater the chance of an accidental break.
Large area laminate rollers for flooring, carpet and veeners
You’ll want to use a multi-wheeled roller with a large D-handle to support higher pressure over a larger contact surface for flooring and large surfaces.
Considerations:
- Look for an extendable handle with a secure lock
- Rollers shouldn’t be more prominent in diameter, but they should be non-mar and roll smoothly
Frequently Asked Questions for Laminate Rollers
What is a laminate roller?
A laminate roller is used to roll laminates flat against a subsurface treated with an adhesive. Laminate rollers are commonly used in building counters (e.g., Formica), moving linoleum, adhesive tiles, and veneers.
What is a J-roller?
A J-roller is a hand-held laminate roller with a “J” shaped handle that allows maximum force to be evenly applied during rolling.
How do you use a laminate roller?
A laminate roller is used immediately after applying a laminate or veneer to the subsurface. First, start in the middle of the piece and work outwards in all directions to remove air pockets and bubbles. Then re-work the entire surface 2-3 times to ensure a tight bond.
Summary
While not the most exciting tool, a high-quality laminate roller will help prevent issues with your projects. Since contact adhesives cannot be removed once two surfaces are matched, there isn’t an excellent alternative to a J-roller or laminate roller to remove bubbles and ensure proper adhesion.
References
- About the Author
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Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. Now working from a home woodworking shop Eric is sharing his passion for woodworking, tool advice and how-to knowledge from his Minnesota-based woodshop.
