A short installation guide of solid wood countertops and kitchen islands.
Solid wood countertops are natural products made from wood from trees approximately 120 years. Wood is a living organism, the more moisture gets, the more the wooden counter to grow. The wood we use worktops solid wood has been kiln dried to a moisture content of 6%, and it is therefore important that the blade is not exposed to high humidity. Normally, the moisture in the kitchen is about 50-70%.
The solid wood top must be attached to the box office using only wood screws and washers. It is not advisable at all to stick on top of the cabinet, the top and the box expand and contract at different rates, so cracks would eventually appear, probably on the surface of the cabinets.
The proper way to install a solid wood top is using metal fixings along the cabinet (see our website).
The fasteners should be evenly distributed over the length of top at a distance of 1 “- 1.5″ apart. About the width, the upper part is usually attached to each metal frame with three screws, the middle, one forward and one aft. The brackets must be perfectly level, different strains can grow in the forest, leading to deformation, cupping, or cracks.
We recommend pre-drilling holes in wood cons, to avoid cracks and crevices. For the same reason, it is a good idea not to over tighten the screws. The finishing will considerably reduce the size of these movements, but will not eliminate them completely. For the laminate structure, movement length are negligible, then the installer should pay attention to movements that the entire width of panel. To ensure the development of inner tension to avoid the holes in the metal attachments shall be extended in the direction of movement (see our website).
When exposed to normal humidity – ie 50-60% – the worksheet, the width will increase by 1 / 12 “-1/24″, but if exposed to a level 80-90%, the measure can be extended with up to 1 / 2 “or even more for some species. Therefore, when the trailing edge of the countertop is installed against a wall, the wall may limit beyond movements natural events leading to tensions in the wood. To avoid, please allow a 1 / 4 “-1 / 2″ joint between the wall and the edge of the counter with a bid and caulk silicon thin acid free.
You may as well on the back edge of the bracket below, if the natural movements to the detriment of the other side.
In this case, holes in the metal clips that match the trailing edge will not be larger than the diameter of the screw, while the holes in the middle and the front will be extended.
For more information about installing wood countertops, bar tops and kitchen islands, visit our web page.
Tags: bar tops, butcher blocks, countertops, kitchen improvement, kitchen islands, kitchen remodeling, worktops