Cabinets -4-

Countertops

Countertops located above base cabinet provide surface for

– work– sink– cooking tops

Variety of materials– ceramic tiles– plastic laminates– synthetic materials

Ceramic Tile Countertops clay that has been “fired”

– glazed variety of shapes, sizes, & patterns features

– very scratch resistant– very heat resistant– stain resistant– very durable– brittle– cost more than plastic laminate countertops

Sizes and Shapes of Ceramic Tile (The most popular size is 4 1/4” x 4 1/4”)

Ceramic Tile Application

Require a good sound base to work from– 3/4” exterior grade plywood

Has grout lines between tiles (hard to clean) Popular applications

– Thin bed

– Cement mortar bed

– Cementitious Backer Unit

Ceramic Tile Application Thin bed detail

– epoxy mortar adheres to plywood and tile– very inexpensive method– drawback, does not last very long

Ceramic Tile Application Cement mortar detail

– mortar bed on top of plywood– longer lasting

Cement Mortar Layered steps

– 1 3/4” plywood– 2 15 pound bldg paper– 3 metal lath– 4 metal strip @ edge– 5 mortar bed– 6 neat cement coat– 7 ceramic tile– 8 cement joint grout

Cementitious Backer Unit

Requirements– cement backer

board underlayment

– level plywood base (minimal shimming)

Plastic Laminate Countertops PL = high pressured plastic laminate veneer material applied to plywood or particle board most common and cost is reasonable variety of finishes: gloss, satin, furniture, & textured, many

colors for interior coordination

features– scratch & chip resistant– heat resistant (short duration of low heat)– stain resistant (somewhat)

Shapes and Edge Treatments

Fully formed top Self-Edge No-Drip Bullnose No-Drip Tilt Edge Rolled Edge Beveled Edge

Plastic Laminate Countertops

Fully Formed Top– a counter top made with a continuous sheet of

plastic, combining a no-drip bull-nose edge, integral cove, and waterfall back splash

Edge Treatments Self Edge

No Drip Bullnose

No Drip Tilt Edge

Rolled Edge

Plastic Laminate Countertops Corners/Edges Detail

Bevel edge counter top

Additional Materials in Countertops

Cultured Marble (Imitation) Synthetic Marble

– Corian

– Avonite Stone

Cultured Marble

made of limestone & coat of polyester resin materials resemble marble “integral” sink nonporous surface don’t use hard abrasives if resin becomes worn, poor appearance

Corian Countertops trade name of methyl

methacrylate single material similar in appearance to

marble– more consistent pattern

nonporous surface scratch marks can be

sanded out

Wood-laminated

Acrylic-laminated

Corian Countertops Edge Treatment

Apron return

Cantilever reveal

Routed edge

Avonite Countertops

man-made material that simulates marble or stone-like products

cuts almost like wood

Stone Countertops $120 to cut sink hole with polished edge Soap Stone--$40/sq ft (soft & easy to scratch)

Granite--$50/sq ft cut to fit– $15 apron/linear ft, 3/4” thick in West, 1 1/4” East

Travertine--$20/sq ft unfilled, $24/sq ft filled & polish– edge detail 6$ linear foot polish & filled, 7/8” normal thickness (Bill

Orchard--production manager @ Idaho Travertine) Marble--$40/sq ft cut to fit

– $15 apron/linear ft, lots of colors available