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What’s in our big box from the Big Box store?

pam kueber - Updated: January 3, 2011

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

at the home depotToday, a reader guessing game. DH and I went to a Big Box store late last week and came home with a Big Box. What do you think is in it? I’ll add a new clue every 5 or 6 guesses. Your first two clues: (1) It’s in a big box, and (2) I could buy it at a Big Box store.  Update, we have a winner… click on thru for the answer — would you have guessed it? –>

formica retro boomerang countertop laminateUpdate: We have a winner — Matt. Yes: It’s Formica’s aqua boomerang laminate. It is being discontinued after Jan. 17th, so we bought two 5?x12? roles in case we ever had a problem with ours — this is what we used in our kitchen. We actually are calling Formica today to to see if we can store it in this role, or whether we need to flatten it out. Two 5?x12? roles are a ridiculously large amount — I think it’s enough for four replacement countertops… but at about $100/roll I thought what the heck.  Anyway, read this post on Formica discontinuations … I don’t know if there’s much aqua left, but if you need it — order it NOW: https://retrorenovation.com/2010/10/02/formica-retro-countertop-discontinuations-more-info/

Update II: One of my Monday to-do’s after picking up the laminate late last week was to email the friendly PR team at Formica to ask about how I should store my three lifetime’s worth of aqua boomerang laminate. Despite my hopes that it could remain all rolled up in this tidy little box, they reported:

STORAGE: Formica Brand Laminate should be stored horizontally, with a caul board or other protective sheet placed on top to protect the material from possible damage. The material should be protected from moisture, and should never be stored in contact with the floor or an outside wall. Optimum conditions for storage are approximately 75°F (24°C), and 45% to 55% relative humidity.

Oy vey. The Lucy and Ethel show continues, as now DH and I must now  find a place to prop it not to mention learn what a caul board is yadda yadda yadda. Sometimes I know so much about home renovation I put myself to sleep I’m so boring. 🙂

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  1. Jeanne says

    Do they have it in stock or do you have to order it? I may get one roll to save for my bathroom.

    • pam kueber says

      that was a good guess, too — tankless water heaters are apparently a good way to go. but no!

    • pam kueber says

      that was a good guess, too, and in fact, i need to do a post about my Fall 2010 insulation mega-project…. Coming soon…

    • pam kueber says

      Bingo! Yes, aqua boomerang is being discontinued after Jan. 17th, so we bought two 5’x12′ roles in case we ever had a problem with ours — this is what we used in our kitchen. We actually are calling Formica today to to see if we can store it in this role, or whether we need to flatten it out. Two 5’x12′ roles are a ridiculously large amount — I think it’s enough for four replacement countertops… but at about $100/roll I thought what the heck. I am certainly betting that Bars & Booths has stocked up and will be selling 4×8 rolls for $400 ….Not that they shouldn’t be compensated for their carrying costs, I understand the need to make a living!!! Anyway, read this post on Formica discontinuations … I don’t know if there’s much aqua left, but if you need it — order it NOW: https://retrorenovation.com/2010/10/02/formica-retro-countertop-discontinuations-more-info/

    • Joe says

      dammit, why did I have to wake up so late, I would have nailed that guess. BOTH my sheets came in a box rolled up. dang.

        • Matt says

          My 2 rolls of VirrVarr are in the garage just waiting for our bathroom vanity! Wish we could have ordered some more of it for the kitchen but that project is a LONG way off and its just not in the budget now.

  7. pam kueber says

    10 guesses – no one has it yet – so I’ll add a new clue and here it is: This story has an ulterior motive, the “correct” guess will also serve as an important reminder.