Solid wood counter tops are all-natural products constructed from wood from trees around 120 years old. Wood is a living product and the even more moisture gets, the extra the wood kitchen counter will certainly expand. The timber we made use of in solid wood worktops has actually been formerly kiln dried to a humidity level of 6%, and also it is therefore essential that the worktop is not subjected to a constantly high level of humidity. Usually the moisture degree in kitchens is roughly 50-70%.
The strong timber top have to be connected to the cabinet box utilizing only timber screws and also washers. It is not advised whatsoever to glue the top on the cupboard box; the leading as well as package increase and also get at various prices, consequently splits could at some point show up, a lot of probably on the cabinets' surface.
The proper way of installing a strong timber top is making use of steel correctings along the cabinet box (see our web page).
The steel dealings with should be consistently dispersed throughout the length of the top, spaced at a 1' - 1.5' distance from each various other. Across the size, the top is typically repaired to each steel support with 3 screws, one in the center, one toward the leading edge and one towards the back edge. The assistances should be completely leveled; otherwise stress can establish in the wood, bring about bending, cupping, or cracks.
We advise pre-drilling the screw openings into the wood countertop, to avoid cracks and splits. For the exact same factor, it is an excellent suggestion not to over tighten up the screws. The finishing will substantially reduce the extent of such activities, but will certainly not eliminate them entirely. Due to the panel's laminated framework, the lengthwise movements are irrelevant, so the installer must take notice of the movements happening throughout the panel's width. In order to stop the development of inner stress, the holes in the steel mendings need to be elongated towards the activities (see our website ).
When subjected to regular humidity degrees - i.e. 50-60% - the worktop's width will broaden by 1/12"-1/ straight from the source 24", yet when exposed to a level of 80-90%, this dimension might expand by as much as 1/2" or perhaps extra for some species. Consequently, when the back edge of the counter top is installed against a wall surface, the wall might restrict the top's natural activities, leading to undesired tensions in the timber. To prevent this, you can permit a 1/4"-1/ 2" joint in between the wall surface and also the countertop edge and caulk it with a thin bid of acid-free silicone.
Additionally, you can firmly repair the rear edge to the metal supports underneath and thus, allow the all-natural activities to take place at the expenditure of the contrary side.
In this situation, the holes in the metal repairings representing the rear side will certainly be no bigger than the screws diameter, while the holes representing the middle area and the front edge will certainly be extended.
For extra info concerning the installation of timber kitchen counters, bar tops and also kitchen area islands, please visit our websites.