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Installing your Solid Wood Countertop |
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The purpose of this page is to provide instructions that will help you to install your solid wood countertop, island top or butcher block correctly. In order to ensure a long and trouble free life for your top, you should strictly follow these instructions. If you do not follow the instructions our warranty is no longer valid. The following sections can be found below:
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Receipt and Storage of the Top:When you receive your top, make sure you check to ensure that the packages are in good condition. Please note any transport damage on the delivery notes. Your custom top should be installed within 2 weeks of receipt. In the meantime, the top(s) should be stored horizontally on a level support. They should be stored at room temperature in an area with a humidity level of about 50%.
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Wood Movement:Wood is a natural living material which is affected by cold, heat, and humidity. A solid wood top that is 25" wide, can expand or contract by 1/16" to 3/16" in varying weather conditions. Your custom top needs to be installed in a manner that allows for that movement. These instructions will guide you in the proper procedures.
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Assembling Multi-Piece Tops:If your custom top includes an "L" or a corner where two pieces are joined together, those pieces should be assembled first. A thin bead of silicone should be applied to the upper and lower edges of any joints to prevent movement. Always use acid-free silicone.
The bottom surface of the two pieces that are to be joined together will each contain a hole with a groove that extends across the joint. These holes will accommodate the FlipBolt countertop connectors that were shipped with your top (if you received a multi-piece top). These fittings are tightened and serve to clamp the joint together. See the photos below for instructions on installing the FlipBolt connectors.
The FlipBolt is a tool-less countertop connector. After the countertop has been properly aligned, insert one FlipBolt connector into each recess. Then simply hand tighten the nut, and lower the flip lever to tighten each bolt. For additional information call Fastcap at 1-888-443-3748 or visit the Fastcap web-site.
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Attaching the Top to Cabinets:The top should be attached in 3 places across the width (on the front edge, the middle, and at the back edge). It should also be attached at approximately 12" intervals throughout the length of the top.
In order to allow natural movement of the top, the screw holes should be made with a 3/16" hole on the "fixed" edge of the top and 3/8" elongated holes in the center and on the "free" edge of of the top. Screws with washers should then be used in the center of the holes to secure the top. DO NOT forget to pre-drill the holes. DO NOT over tighten the screws as this will restrict the natural movement of the top. Use small metal angle brackets to secure the top to the side of any cabinets that do not have a solid top or bracing material. Where the top does not rest on a cabinet, it must be supported by strips of wood. If your top contains multiple pieces, ensure the corner fittings have been tightened after the top has been installed.
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Dishwashers, Washing Machines, and Built In Ovens:An aluminum foil membrane must be fixed to the underside of the solid wood top (plain side down) over any of the above appliances. Aluminum foil on the underside of the top prevents heat and moisture penetration which would otherwise cause cracking. The foil should be glued to the top before it is attached to the cabinets. The foil should cover the whole width of the top and overlap to the adjoining cabinets on either side of the appliance.
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Sinks and Faucet Pipes:Sinks and water pipes should not be installed next to joints in the top. Sinks should be a minimum of 8 inches from the end of the top. Cut-outs for drop-in sinks should be 3/16" larger than the sink - check the sink template. Cut-outs or holes for the water pipes should be 1/16" larger than the pipe. All cut-outs should be carefully sealed with plenty of silicone. Sinks and faucets should be tightly secured to prevent water from penetrating the top. Water can cause cracks and discoloration in the top. If two sinks are to be installed side by side, it is important to allow sufficient support between the sinks. Please allow a minimum of 8 inches between sinks.
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Stoves and Cook Tops:Cook tops must not be installed closer than 8 inches from a joint in the top and at least 2 inches should be allowed at the front and back of the top. If individual (side by side) cook tops are to be installed, an 8 inch space should be allowed between the cook tops or the wood may dry out and subsequently split. Cut-outs for cook tops should be 1/16" to 3/16' larger than the appliance to allow natural movement of the wood. The cut-outs should be thoroughly sealed with silicone and lined with aluminum foil in order to aid heat insulation. Counter top ends that adjoin a free-standing stove should also be sealed with silicone and covered with a strip of aluminum foil. Due to the heat generated by this type of cooker some splitting of the ends may occur. To avoid splitting, the surface treatment (oil, polish, etc) should be regularly applied. If small cracks occur, they should be treated at once.
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Dining Tables and Radiators:Custom tops that are freely suspended for more than 16 inches must be reinforced on the underside by perimeter support or by inserting an iron T section to avoid bending. Tops that are installed above heat radiating appliances should have an aluminum foil membrane attached to the entire underside of the top. Custom tops enclosing a radiator must be fitted with a ventilation grill.
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Brick and Rock Walls:Before installing solid wood tops adjacent to any walls, ensure that all brickwork and plaster is totally dry. Tops installed over brick or rock walls or cooking islands should have aluminum foil attached to the underside of the top to protect against humidity and heat. Tops that are attached to a brick or rock cooking island should have an air gap of 3/16" left between brickwork and the underside of the top. Insert 3/16" slats between the top and the brick or rock to accomplish this. Tops that are to be installed next to or on top of rock or brick work should have all edges covered by a humidity barrier to avoid warping.
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Other General Guidelines:All heat radiating household appliances and all hot pans should always be placed on a heat resistant surface. Solid wood tops should not be installed in areas where the humidity exceeds 50%. Custom tops with a mineral oil finish should have a coat of mineral oil applied both before and after installation of the top. Follow the instructions on the Care and Maintenance page diligently.
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1451 W. Hwy 290 Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Phone: (512) 894-0464 • Fax: (512) 894-0209 |
