A Guide To Fitting Kitchen Base Units

 When most people buy a new kitchen they employ professionals to undertake the installation for them. Some people enjoy DIY and elect to do it themselves. Then there are those on a budget that means they will fit the kitchen themselves even though they lack experience. This guide to fitting kitchen base units is directed at the last group of people.

At Kent Home Improvements the most common issues we face when installing or templating for worktops are poorly fitted base units, either not level, not square or not securely fastened to the wall. Often this incurs additional cost for the homeowner, so follow these steps when fitting your kitchen to avoid any extra cost or delays. Visit http://www.hikent.co.uk/kitchen_fitting.html if you need further advice or want to view details of our kitchen fitting service.

Fitting Kitchen Base Units - Step 1.

When you take delivery of your new kitchen if possible store it somewhere in the house or garage which will leave space to work in the actual kitchen. Separate the base units, wall units and accessories. Using a combination of your receipt, kitchen plan, delivery manifest and the codes on the unit cartons check that you have the correct units and the right number of units. Carefully inspect for any signs of damage, if any is found take a photo and contact your supplier immediately to resolve.

Establish levels and mark up the walls.

If you have had new flooring fitted wall to wall and are confident it is level ignore the next point - you will simply need to mark a datum line around the room at the equivalent height of the top of your base units usually 870mm and then another above this equal to the thickness of your worksurface, usually between 20mm and 40mm above the 870mm line.

If your new flooring is going to be fitted after your kitchen cabinets have been installed and your existing floor is obviously far from level you should consider screed or using self levelling compound to tackle the issue at this point. it will save you a whole load of grief later in your project.

Next, using a spirit or laser level, mark a datum line around the room at a height of 870mm and then using a piece of timber at 870mm length establish the both high and low point of the floor. If the difference between the high and low point is a few millimetres then you can use either point and adjust your datum line accordingly.

If the difference is more than this you are best to start at the low point to avoid the possibility of a visible gap between to bottom of your units and the top of the plinth. As above adjust your datum line accordingly, this time add the thickness of your new flooring to the 870mm so you can set your plinth height to accommodate this. Above this new datum line mark another that includes the thickness of your kitchen worktop.

Once you have completed the above using your kitchen plan and a spirit level or plumb line mark vertical lines down the wall indicating the position of each unit. Unless you have a galley kitchen start from the corner and ensure each line is perpendicular.

Install the kitchen cabinets.

Position each cabinet in its designated position and using the adjustable legs and or shims ensure that it is aligned exactly to your datum lines and is level from left to right and front to back. Once this is achieved clamp all the units of each wall together, reposition and adjust accordingly. This done, screw all cabinets together using the dobbing supplied or with screws hidden behind hinge plates and shelves.

Finally secure each run of cabinets to the wall using fittings appropriate to your wall material.

Professional kitchen fitters will have all the tools and years of experience and will complete this process to the highest of standards in a relatively short period of time but if you take it slow and steady and have adequate equipment then you should achieve a satisfactory conclusion to your home improvement project.

If you require any help or advice about kitchen fitting in Sevenoaks or the wider Kent area feel free to contact Kent Home Improvements.

 

Acrylic Worktops Buying Guide

Acrylic Worktops Features And Benefits

Acrylic worktops are mostly associated with kitchens and bathrooms but the material itself, a resin comprising of plastic, polymers and natural minerals, can be used for a multitude of purposes including wall coverings, wet rooms, shower trays, furniture and splashbacks.

The primary feature of acrylic worktops is the seamless appearance of the finished product and the benefit of this is that any joins required will be invisible, leaving nowhere for water or dirt to accumulate. For this reason you will often see the material in use in hospitals, dentists, vets, anywhere where hygiene is a primary concern as you can see in the image below. We are going to focus on its use in domestic kitchens and bathrooms.

How can I purchase acrylic kitchen worktops?

This type of kitchen worktop is available in two formats, pre-fabricated which include brands like Hanex, Staron, Corian, Tristone and modular from brands such as Minerva, Mistral, Earthstone and Maia. Which type you choose will determine how you purchase it and who will install the worktops in your kitchen or bathroom.

The materials in either type are essentially the same but Hanex, for example, comes in 13mm sheets applied to an MDF subframe, the finished worktop can be any thickness and depth of your choice. This work is undertaken by specialist fabricators who will make a template to work from once the base units of your kitchen have been installed, fabricate the worktops and then return to install them once they have been made. There will be a charge for the template, fabrication and installation of this type of worktop.

Acrylic worktops being fabricated.

Modular acrylic worktop like Minerva are usually 20mm thick and all of this is made up of acrylic. They are sold in standard lengths and depths, the material required will be calculated from your final kitchen plan and the worktops will be fitted by your kitchen installer.

Undermount, onset, butler and mixa sinks can be used with either type of worktop as can upstands, splashbacks and end panels etc and the untrained eye would struggle to tell the difference between the two finished products.

Some colours of acrylic are not suitable for use in kitchens or bathrooms so ensure your kitchen retailer covers this before you make a final decision.

For more information on kitchen and worktop installation visit Kent Home Improvements at http://www.hikent.co.uk/kitchen_worktop_fitter.html

Concrete Worktops | Concrete Worktop

Concrete is used in far more than just building constuction these days. It's also now used to make solid surface kitchen worktops. Concrete worktops are taking the kitchen design industry by storm due to a combination of versatility and aesthetics.

The characterisitcs of concrete mean that it can be worked and moulded into any number of shapes, sizes and designs. The benefits of concrete worktops are many, and homeowners who have concrete worktopstops in their kitchens find it almost impossible to differentiate from other solid surface materials favoured by kitchen designers.



There are a number of looks that concrete worktops can take as a result of different colourings, aggregates and finshes.

Marbled: Using different pigments and creation techniques, concrete worktop fabricators can take concrete and make it almost indistinguishable from granite. The look is sealed in.

Trowel: Resulting a heavier textured surface than most worktops, this finish is one that many enjoy for its tactile, natural looking appearance.

Terrazzo: By adding glass shards or granite concrete worktoptops can acquire a variety of different looks in terrazzo. This add an extra dimension of lustre to the worktopstops.

Other things buyers should consider before purchasing concrete worktops include:

A Concrete worktopstops must be sealed to ensure staining and other damage are avoided. When a sealer is applied, the worktopstops can resist all sorts of problems. There are however things that can compromise the sealant, so it's important to make sure the job is done correctly and the wotktop is adequately protected from damage. The rules associated with concrete care aren't much different than most other solid surface worktops providing this stage is correctly carried out.

B While some worktops are meant to be cut on directly, concrete is not one of them. While the concrete can handle direct cutting, the sealant cannot. When cutting is done directly on the concrete worktop it damages the sealant which could lead to stain problems at a later date.

C Heat issues. As before the concrete itself can take the punishment, but the sealant might not. Therefore it's recommended that hot pans and bowls not be placed directly on the worktops. Just like working with Corian or other similar solid surfaces direct heat is worth avoiding to protect the longevity of the product.

Delivering remarkable beauty, concret worktops have much aesthetic appeal. It's very difficult for anyone who doesn't know what they're made of to tell by appearance. When properly made the designs can be simply fantastic.

Glass Worktops Features and Benefits

Glass is not usually the first material homeowners tend to think of when it comes to solid surface worktops although it's popularity is on the rise. Glass worktops have been widely used in the commercial sector for many years especially in hotel lobbys and reception areas where it's sleek, expensive appearance fits with the image the business is trying to portray - think art deco cruise liners through to modern minimilist hotels.



Modern production methods mean that toughened glass is now a viable choice for kitchen worktops in the domestic market. Read on for more information on the features and benefits of glass worktops.

A; When low iron glass is used in the manufacture of glass worktops the green tinge that comes with ordinary glass is eliminated meaning that your colour choice is unadulterated. Glass worktops are available in thousands of colours.

B; As with other solid surface worktops the best option is to have a template made of the area you want the glass worktops to cover. The glass is then cut and heat hardened producing a very tough worksurface.

C; Undermount sinks are generally used with glass worktops and you can have drainer grooves cut into the surface of the worktop.

D; Glass worktops tend to be 19mm thick resulting in a sleek, clean modern look. Because of the relative thinness of the worktops compared to other solid surfaces some thought should be given to the type of hob used and potential plumbing issues in the sink base.

E: Often homeowners or kitchen designers who choose glass worktops also have glass splashbacks made in the same or contrasting coloured glass. All of the above applies to glass splashbacks except that they are normally 6mm thick. They can also be templated to get a good fit around plug sockets, light switches and the like.

F: Glass worktops are relatively maintenance free, hygienic and easy to keep clean.

So if you are thinking of a solid surface worktop the perhaps glass might be a consideration for you especially if worktop colour is a primary concern in your kitchen design.

Granite Worktops Buying Guide

Granite, limestone and marble have been used in buildings for thousands of years. The Ancient Egyptians were on of the first to utilise stone in their construction of buildings and monuments.



Granite is an igneous rock formed as a result of volcanic activity. Minerals trapped within the rock, mainly quartz, feldspar and mica, are what causes granite to glisten. Consistent granite has a uniform pattern running right the way through it whilst variegated has a labyrinth of colour veins in it's composition which means it hard to match separate pieces of granite but does create a unique and aesthetic pleasing result.

For homebuyers, and homeowners who are replacing their existing kitchen, granite worktops are often high on their list of priorities. For some people the attraction of granite is that it's a natural product and no two pieces are exactly the same. It is quarried all over the world, cut using diamond tipped tools and then polished to a high lustre finish.

What should buyers of granite worktops be aware of?

Spend some time finding a quality solid surface provider or stonemason. The quality of granite worktops can vary significantly depending on the country of origin and the quarrying methods used. The depth, cut and colour of the stone, the extent to which pitting in the surface has been filled with material other than granite, how the granite has been fabricated and whether it's been sealed or not are all worth investigating.

There will be a difference in price depending on the properties of the granite used in the worktop, for instance some stones are harder than others therefore more expensive to cut and fabricate. There will also be a price differential between having your granite worktops templated, cut and fabricated from a slab verses using a company that buys pre-cut granite blanks, often from India or China, and then cut them to fit on site. in the world of granite worktops the old saying "you get what you pay for" is a truism.

Granite is sold in different price bands. Granite worktop prices are regulated by supply and demand and a factor known as "commercial quality." A slab of granite will be priced according to its country of origin, it's veining, the thickness and density of the stone and it's rarity.

Granite worktops, like other solid surface worktops, are not cheap so it makes sense for prospective purchasers to undertake some research just as you would when purchasing, say, a new car.

Corian Worktops Features and Benefits

Brought to market by DuPont in 1967, Corian has been used for kitchen worktops ever since. Popular with homeowners because of the option to have a seamless integral sink and drainer, limitless shaping capabilities and consistent colour and pattern, the material is widely used in the kitchen design industry. Homeowners thinking about Corian worktops for their kitchen would be wise to consider the materials properties and maintenance as part of their decision process.



What is Corian?

Corian is a solid surface material manufactured from alumina trihydrate and acrylic polymer. When Corian is heated to 148 degrees centigrade, it can be worked and moulded into worksurfaces, shower cubicles, chairs, sinks and a myriad of other items of furniture. Colour runs all the way through Corian therefore chips and scratches can be polished out.

Because Corian can be moulded, worktops have no visible joins and sinks can be integrated into the worktop. Corian worktops can be produced in any depth from 13mm to 45mm or more.At 13mm considerations about how appliances like hobs will be supported come into play. Corian worktop profiles can be produced in more than 10 different styles, allowing the material to suit any kitchen design.

Corian worktop features and benefits

Corian is non-porous therefore it won't absorb moisture and is resistant to mildew, mould or germs. Corian worktops are ideal sanitary surface for food preparation in kitchens. The integrated sink, splashback and seamless surface allows kitchen users to quickly and easily clean the worktop, without food detrius getting caught in joins, under the sink rim or between the worktop and the kitchen wall.

The colours of Corian are consistent which means your chosen worktop, when installed, will exactly match the colour of the sample. Solid coloured Corian worktops, such as designer white, or bone are available for kitchen buyers who want a completely neutral worktop, while other colours and pallets are available mimic that look like stone or other worktop materials but without variation in colour or texture. There are some colours of Corian that are not suitable for use in kitchens so it is wise to stick to the approved list of kitchen colours as recommended by Dupont.

Providing you worktops are fabricated by a Dupont registered fabricator they will come with a 10 year guarantee. With proper care Corian worktops will give kitchen users many years of good service. Light scratches and marks can be polished out by the worktop owner, more substantial damage will require repair by a fabricator and in nearly all cases traces of the repair would not be visible once completed. Go here to see more information on how to care for your Corian worktops.

When choosing a kitchen worktop, it's important to consider function, style, cost and maintenance of the worktop to make an informed decision. Whether Corian is the right choice for your solid surface worktop will depend on all four.

Silestone quartz worktops features and benefits.

Silestone is one of the leading brands of quartz worktops manufactured by Cosentino. The worktops are man-made, but look similar to natural stone kitchen worktops like granite. Manufactured using a combination of quartz, binding resin and pigments the outcome is a kitchen worktop that's beautiful and long lasting. Silestone worktops are a high-end product and reasonably expensive.



What are the benefits of a Silestone kitchen worktop and why should you consider using one in your kitchen?

A: Quartz is a very hard material, number 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, diamonds are top at 10. Consequently it's difficult to damage Silestone worktops, they are highly scratch and heat resistant. That said it's still wise to use chopping board when preparing food and trivets for hot pans.

B: Quartz worktops are sometimes likened to granite worktopstops, but there are clear differences between them. Silestone worktops are more uniform in pattern and colour because they are a manufactured product. They don't have the natural graining or colour variation that are found granite. Quartz worktops are also much easier to care for and maintain than granite. Compared other solid surface worktops, quartz countertops tend to be harder wearing and less susceptible to scratches or burn marks.

C: Silestone worktops are not porous, therefore won’t easily stain. They resist all kinds of household products found in the kitchen like wine, coffee, marker pens, and cooking oils. You can simply wipe away spillages or clean the entire worktop warm soapy water, making them very easy to keep clean. You should not use any harsh or abrasive chemicals on your worktop. In addition because Silestone worktops are are non-porous, there is no possibility of odour or mould contamination and they don't require periodic sealing unlike some other stone worktops - like granite for instance.

D: Silestone worktops have Microban antimicrobial product protection. Introduced in 2005, the Microban protection is part of the molecular structure of the worktop so the protection will not wash off or disappear. Regular cleaning is still necessary, but Microban adds 1 additional layer of protection against bacteria, yeast, mould, and fungi.

Silestone is not restricted to kitchen worktops, you can also have Silestone upstands and splashbacks and they recently introduces the Integrity range of sinks which means you can now have a seamlessly integrated sink in some Silestone colours. You can also use Silestone or quartz sufaces in the bathroom, as flooring or even as furniture.



Silestone worktops are not the only manufacturer of quartz worktops, Arena stone, Zodiaq and many other brands manufacture quartz worktops. The brand you choose will depend on delivery, sales, colour, service, value or added features.