We got our salvaged and freshly fabricated stone counter tops safely from the truck into the house.
The first thing I wanted to do is to place them on the kitchen cabinets to see if we got all the dimensions right – and we did! That was a weight off my shoulders.
It also meant that we could start with the counter top installation in earnest – which is relatively simple, except for the large piece that will hold the corner sink.
I needed to cut the opening for the sink out of the plywood base. While we test placed the counter top pieces, I traced the triangular corner cuts for the sink onto the plywood. That took out all the guess work and gave me an accurate cut out location.
The looming question was though: Did we get the sink dimensions right and would it fit? We lifted the sink in place – and indeed it did fit.
The next step was to install the large counter top piece for good. We used VOC free construction adhesive to fasten the stone to the plywood base. During the placement we made sure that the triangular corner cuts still lined up the cut out in the plywood below.
Time to get the angle grinder and shop vacuum out! After a few carefully cuts from one corner the the next, we had our sink opening in the counter top.
Another test placement of the kitchen sink confirmed that we also got these dimensions right.
With that out the way, I focused my attention on the installation of other pieces and on sealing the stone, including the back splash.
Limestone is notoriously porous, which is sort of a problem. For hygienic reasons, a counter top should be impervious and easy to wipe down and clean. We found a low VOC stone sealant that met our indoor air quality (IAQ) standards.
With the last coat of sealant cured, I could start installing the backsplash pieces. To attached them I used a bead of silicon to the counter top and the cement wall board. The silicon will also prevent any water from escaping behind the counter top and down the cabinets.
The timelapse below shows the entire installation sequence. Enjoy!
Amazing! Everything looks so simple and straight forward, but I guess that a great deal of that is bases on your educative narration, picutres, drawing and the timelapses… And of course a lot of thinking, planning and research.