Finewood Finish Laminate Worktops

Product Description

Measuring marking can be done with a soft pencil either on the face of the worktop, if using a hand saw, or on the back if using a power saw. Check measurements before cutting. Preparation The worktop should be adequately supported during all cutting, drilling or sawing operations. All cutting tools should be sharp & safety goggles should be used whenever cutting laminated boards. Cutting Axiom worktops can be cut a number of ways. The best results are achieved when the worktop is cut slightly oversize by 5mm, using either a portable power saw (with the decorative side face down) or with a hand saw (decorative side face up). To finish the edge use a portable hand router, straight edge & G clamps. clamping the straight edge of the worktop, either with the decorative side face up or down, but always ensuring the cutter will enter at the postformed edge, will result in a perfectly straight chip-free cut. it is difficult to maintain a totally chip-free finish when using a hand saw, without having to tidy it up afterwards. if the sawn edge is to be laminated, it is advisable to use a portable router. When cutting & joining two worktops, particular attention should be paid to sealing the joint with a silicone sealant or a contact adhesive, this will prevent the possibility of water ingress. Making Cut-Outs Any cut-outs should be carefully measured & marked. Then working from the decorative surface, drill through all the corners using the largest diameter drill possible, since sharp internal corners can lead to cracks forming in the laminate surface. Ensure that there is a minimum radius of 10mm at each corner. Cut-outs can once again be made using a portable hand router, similar to the method described above, however, a jig-saw can be used providing the four corners have been pre-drilled using a 12mm drill bit. mark out the area to be cut on the face side of the worktop & drill a hole in each of the four corners. After drilling, turn the worktop over & mark a straight line from one edge of a hole to another. Then using a jig-saw with a fine toothed blade, cut from hole to hole. ensure the piece to be cut away is well supported on the last cut. After the cut-out has been made, try the sink or hob for size. To ensure that your Axiom worktop remains in excellent condition, it is essential that all exposed edges of the chipboard are sealed with a silicone sealant or contact adhesive. For a sink cut-out, the exposed raw chipboard should be treated with a waterseal or varnish. in addition to this, we would also recommend the use of a purpose made gasket, often supplied with the sink or silicone sealant applied to the perimeter of the sink prior to installation. The hob cut-outs can be protected in the same way but it is also advisable to cover the exposed edges & the edge of the laminate with aluminium foil, to prevent the heat affecting the cut-out. Tiles When tiling above a worktop a space of at least 3mm should be left between the surface of the worktop & the bottom row of tiles to allow for easy removal of the top. Sealing of Holes for Services Where pipes are to be brought up through the worktop, a 2-3mm allowance for expansion/contraction should be maintained around the pipe. The void can then be filled with silicone sealant. When installing a dishwasher care should be taken to ensure that the protective deflector provided by the dishwasher manufacturer is fitted correctly to the underside of the worktop. Edging of Worktops All exposed edges should be finished with matching laminate, as supplied with every Axiom worktop. ensure that the cut edge is flat, clean & dust free. prior to applying the adhesive to the edges, the laminate surface should be protected (ie sticky tape) to prevent the over spill of adhesive curing/marring the surface during the edging process. Apply a proprietary adhesive, ideally p VA adhesive (which is suitable for woodwork), to the edge of the worktop. it can be applied using a 12-25mm paint brush, directly to the chipboard edge. The edging strip should then be placed sanded side down onto the wet adhesive. ensure that there is sufficient overhang of edging on both the face & underside of the worktop. Using an electric iron, set on medium, apply pressure to the edging strip & hold in place for Approx. 5-10 seconds, then slowly move along the strip & repeat. leave for at least 1 hour before removing excess edging strip. To remove excess edging strip use either a portable trimming machine or a sharp block plane. Final finishing can best be achieved by using a 250mm smooth file. Jointing of Worktops Axiom worktops can be jointed either by a standard butt joint using a profiled jointing strip, a scribe masons mitre joint or a true 45 degree mitre joint. When cutting butt & scribe joints always use a good quality jig & follow the manufacturers instructions for an accurate finish. Always use a good quality well maintained hand router with a sharp cutter. Jointing bolt slots should be cut using the jig & be no deeper than 25mm from the underside face. Note Joints are vulnerable to moisture ingress. ensure that a quality adhesive or sealant is used during the jointing process. Avoid placing electric kettles or tea pots directly over joints. Always use a trivet or protective matt to protect the joint from moisture. PVC Aprons p Vc aprons can cause excessive wear to the edges of laminate work surfaces. We would recommend that p Vc aprons are not used as over a period of time the excessive wear will become more evident & spoil the look of the worktop. Jointing biscuits should also be used to add strength to the joint & ensure the joint is level. If in doubt consult a professional fitter. Care should be taken when trying to achieve a true 45 degree mitre as they can become weak at the narrowest point. Always ensure connector bolts are sufficiently used from the end point to prevent damage or breakage. Always use good quality jointing bolts as follows: Up to 500mm joint length
- two bolts 600 to 750mm joint length
- three bolts 750 to 900mm joint length
- four bolts Dishwashers & Washing Machines Every Axiom worktop is supplied factory sealed along the front underside edge. integrated dishwashers & washing machines emit steam & moisture on a regular basis. It is recommended that extra protection should be given to worktops which have these appliances underneath. extra sealant or a baffle plate should be placed on the underside of the worktop for extra protection. consult the appliance manufacturer for further details. General Axiom worktops are rigorously tested in line with British & European standards to ensure that they will meet the exacting requirements of any modern kitchen. every Axiom worktop therefore incorporates specific features which make it highly resistant to heat, impact, scratching & moisture. our decorative laminates are tested to a temperature of 180c. boiling water & cooking splashes will therefore do no harm to the surface of the worktop. All Axiom worktops are effectively sealed to protect the core from moisture along the front & back edges. Cleaning General cleaning of the surface requires only a damp cloth & a mild detergent or non-abrasive cleaner diluted in warm water. Abrasive scouring powders, creams & even polishes should all be avoided. if the worktop has a textured surface, a soft nylon nailbrush can be used to ensure a more thorough cleaning. potentially persistent stains should be removed immediately. For gloss worktops, buff the surface after cleaning with a soft cloth PLEASE NOTE: This installation & maintenance guide has been developed for guidance only.