Solid timber kitchen counters are natural items made of timber from trees approximately 120 years old. Timber is a living material as well as the even more moisture gets, the extra the wood counter top will certainly expand. The wood we made use of in solid wood worktops has actually been formerly kiln dried out to a humidity level of 6%, as well as it is for that reason crucial that the worktop is not subjected to a constantly high level of moisture. Generally the humidity level in kitchen areas is around 50-70%.
The strong timber top must be attached to the cupboard box utilizing only timber screws as well as washers. It is not suggested in any way to adhesive the top on the closet box; the leading and also package increase and also get at various prices, as a result fractures may ultimately appear, a lot of probably on the cupboards' surface.
The proper way of installing a strong timber top is making use of steel fixings along the cabinet box (see our internet page).
The steel dealings with need to be consistently distributed throughout the length of the top, spaced at a 1' - 1.5' range from each various other. Across the width, the top is usually dealt with to each steel support with three screws, one in the center, one towards the leading edge and one towards the rear edge. The assistances must be completely leveled; otherwise stress can establish in the wood, bring about warping, cupping, or fractures.
We recommend pre-drilling the screw openings right into the wood countertop, to avoid fractures and splits. For the very same factor, it is a good concept not to over tighten up the screws. The finishing will substantially decrease the degree of such movements, but will not remove them completely. Because of the panel's laminated structure, the lengthwise motions are insignificant, so the installer must take notice of the activities occurring across the panel's width. In order to avoid the advancement of internal tensions, the holes in the steel repairings must be elongated in the direction of the activities (see our web page ).
When revealed to normal humidity degrees - i.e. 50-60% - the worktop's size will certainly expand by 1/12"-1/ 24", however when revealed to a level of 80-90%, this measurement may broaden by approximately 1/2" or even more for some types. Therefore, when the rear side of the counter top is mounted against a wall, the wall surface could limit the top's all-natural motions, resulting in undesired stress in the timber. To prevent this, you can allow a 1/4"-1/ 2" joint between the wall as well as the countertop edge as well as caulk it with a slim proposal of acid-free silicone.
Additionally, you can firmly repair the back side to the steel sustains beneath and live edge cutting boards thus, permit the natural movements to occur at the expense of the opposite edge.
In this case, the holes in the metal mendings matching to the back edge will be no bigger than the screws diameter, while the holes corresponding to the center area and also the front side will certainly be lengthened.
For extra info relating to the setup of wood counter tops, bar tops and kitchen islands, please see our internet page.