I7 - Lt #6 - Install Countertops

Question 1

How should two sheets of laminate be stored if in contact with each other?

Answer 1

Face to Face

Question 2

What safety concern is there when handling laminate?

Answer 2

Edges are very sharp.

Question 3

What tool is used to cut irregular shaped pieces of laminate?

Answer 3

Carbide-tipped laminate knife.

Question 4

Why should MDF not be used as a core material (backing) for laminate?

Answer 4

It swells when exposed to moisture.

Question 5

Why are spacer strips used when positioning contact cement with coated laminate?

Answer 5

If the laminate is allowed to touch, the glued core material, it will stick.

Question 6

Once the laminate is glued down, what tools are used for trimming and finishing the edges?

Answer 6

1) Laminate the trimmer with a carbide tipped ball-bearing 2) flat file.

Question 7

What are four reasons why laminate may lift along its edges?

Answer 7

1) Using insufficient glue, lack of pressure, attempting to bond too soon or allowing contact cement to dry for too long.

Question 8

How to store laminate?

Answer 8

Stored on edge, lengthwise and face-to-face in vertical binds no wider than 150 mm.

Room temp of about 21 celsius and humidity of 35 to 55 %

Question 9

When cutting laminate, which side should you cut?

Answer 9

Cut on the good side, pulling the laminate knife along the straight edge, creating a groove in the surface of the laminate.

Question 10

How do you build the core?

Answer 10

Core supports laminate and needs to be flat and smooth. It must allow contact cement to bond to it.

Question 11

Order of Install for Laminate:

Answer 11

1) Side edge pieces
2) Front edge piece
3) Top Edge
4) Backsplash

Question 12

Contact cement is:

Answer 12

Rubber-based glue was applied to two surfaces. Allowed to dry until tacky before the two surfaces are positioned together.

Question 13

How do you trim laminate?

Answer 13

With a laminate trimmer, used to trim the laminate flush to the surface of the core or laminate that it overlaps.

Question 14

What is the purpose of a backing sheet?

Answer 14

Some core or base materials will be more stable, resistant to warping and changes in humidity.

Question 15

What two techniques are used to install a backsplash?

Answer 15

Attached to the core and be laminated with the top or they may be laminated separately and attached to the top at installation.

Question 16

Several reasons why laminate may lift along its edges.

Answer 16

1) Insufficient glue
2) Lack of pressure
3) Attempting to bond too soon
4) Allowing the contact cement to dry for too long

Question 17

When cutting holes in countertops with a jigsaw:

Answer 17

1) Use a fine tooth, down cut blades.
2) Protect the countertop by covering the base of the saw with masking tape or tape the surface of the top where the cut will take place
3) Pre-drill holes at all right angle corners
4) Move the saw slowly through the corners to keep the blade vertical
5) Turn the orbital cutting setting on the jig saw, the blade action should be up and down only
6) Seal the edge of the core around sink cut outs with waterproof sealant or glue