Miters & Butt Joints

All joints are carefully pre-fitted at our factory, and assembled whenever practical. All of the joints we assemble are glued with a high quality, water-resistant adhesive and sealed with an acryllic filler. However, it is very important that any liquid spills are wiped off the seams immediately. If left, it will penetrate into the core and cause the countertop to swell.

Because your countertop is a wood product, it expands and contracts with changes in humidity, causing the joints to open and close ever so slightly. For this reason, we are unable to warranty joints against water damage. To simplify assembly of joints at the job site, please follow these instructions:

• Never cut or plane joint, it was pre-fitted at our factory.
• Apply a good quality white glue to both pieces and spines.
• Starting at the front edge and working back, draw joint tight using the special bolts.
• It may be necessary to adjust the two pieces up or down to achieve a flush joint.
• Wipe excess glue from face of countertop using a damp cloth.
• After the glue dries, you may wish to run in oil-based paint thickened with exterior acrylic caulking to help seal and hide the seam.
• Wipe excess paint filler from face of countertop using paint thinner.

Note: Warranty is void if joints are not glued.

Fitting & Fastening

Your countertop is made carefully to the dimensions supplied. If there is a mistake in the size, please notify us immediately. Sit the countertop in place and check to see if it fits tight to the wall, usually it must be scribed to fit. If scribing is necessary, mark the area to be fitted and remove this using a belt sander or a plane.

To fasten the countertop to the cabinet, screw up through from underneath using wood screws at least 1/4" smaller than the total thickness of your cabinet cleat and countertop.

Cutting for sinks, cooktops, etc.

When cutting holes in your countertop, use a jig saw with a sharp wood-cutting blade. It is important that all corners of the cutout have a radius,  never leave a square corner.

Never leave jagged edges in a cutout, a clean cut is much better. Square corners and jagged edges can result in stress cracking in the surface of the countertop.

Do not allow any part of the saw to come closer than 3/4" from the backsplash, the heavy vibration can cause cracking in the cove. If you must cut closer than 3/4", then you must cut from the bottom side of the countertop. It is a good idea to seal the core edge around cutouts with varnish or an oil-based paint. When installing sinks, cooktops, etc., always seal them well under the rim with exterior grade caulking to ensure they are water tight.

Ranges

When determining the height of your range, be sure the lip is at least 1/2" above the countertop. If the range is lower, heat from the elements can cause the finished ends to de-laminate