1. Cabinets -4-
Countertops

2. Countertops located above base cabinet provide surface for
work
sink
cooking tops
Variety of materials
ceramic tiles
plastic laminates
synthetic materials

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. Ceramic Tile Application
Thin bed detail
epoxy mortar adheres to plywood and tile
very inexpensive method
drawback, does not last very long

7. Ceramic Tile Application
Cement mortar detail
mortar bed on top of plywood
longer lasting

8. Cement Mortar Layered steps 1 3/4” plywood 2 15 pound bldg paper
3 metal lath
4 metal edge
5 mortar bed
6 neat cement coat
7 ceramic tile
8 cement joint grout

9. Cementitious Backer Unit
Requirements
cement backer board underlayment
level plywood base (minimal shimming)

10. 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)

11. Shapes and Edge Treatments
Fully formed top
Self-Edge
No-Drip Bullnose
No-Drip Tilt Edge
Rolled Edge
Beveled Edge

12. 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

13. Edge Treatments Self Edge No Drip Bullnose No Drip Tilt Edge
Rolled Edge

14. Plastic Laminate Countertops Corners/Edges Detail
Bevel edge counter top

15. Additional Materials in Countertops
Cultured Marble (Imitation)
Synthetic Marble
Corian
Avonite
Stone

16. 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

17. 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

18. Corian Countertops Edge Treatment
Apron return
Cantilever reveal
Routed edge

19. Avonite Countertops
man-made material that simulates marble or stone-like products
cuts almost like wood

20. 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 Idaho Travertine)
Marble--$40/sq ft cut to fit
$15 apron/linear ft, lots of colors available