Work Stations | 4 Sharp Considerations For Installing Stone Kitchen Benchtops
Posted on: 16 May 2016
Stone kitchen benchtops portray a naturally glamorous and luxurious feel in your cooking space, making them a good choice when you want to create a plush finish. But choosing stone kitchen benchtops comes with other decisions to make sure you get the installation right. This guide equips you with sharp considerations when it comes to installing stone kitchen benchtops.
Establish The Edge Profile You Desire
Keep in mind that once the stone is cut, you will not be able to make many alterations, so consider your desired edge profile in advance. For instance, you can choose between rounded, square, pencil, angle or bevel edges depending on your specific preferences. Rounded or bevel edges give your kitchen a softer feel, while square and pencil edges offer the right amount of sharpness for modern cooking spaces.
Choose Between Mitred Or Butt Joints
A mitred joint is typically created between two different stone pieces at a specified angle, which then forms a corner. A butt joint is a technique where two stone pieces are joined together at the ends without any cuts or angles to form a corner. A butt joint is the simplest, since it only involves cutting to the appropriate length and butting the pieces together. Mitred joints work well for manufactured or engineered stones, while butt joints go with all types of manufactured and natural stones like marble and granite.
Consider The Benchtop Height And Depth
The height and depth of stone kitchen benchtops play a huge role in your comfort, so make sure you choose something that resonates with your specific needs. Kitchen benchtop heights typically vary between 850mm and 1050mm. The height you finalise on will ultimately depend on your comfort. The ideal depth for most kitchen benchtops is 600mm, but you will need to discuss this with your benchtop contractor based on any variations and under-bench appliances you desire.
Establish Whether You Want Under Mount or Top Mount Sinks
Kitchen sinks are either top mounted or under mounted based on the benchtop material you have. Top mounted sinks are placed from the top and come with rims, which are clamped into place with plumbing installed below them. Under mount sinks don't have a rim and sit below the edge of the benchtop. Plumbing is usually concealed below the sink. The under mount style typically leaves less space below the sink. While under mount sinks aren't ideal for kitchen benchtops made from more delicate materials like laminate and vinyl, stone benchtops are strong enough to hold either style. This allows you to make a choice based on your personal preferences.
Make sure you consider these sharp factors when installing stone kitchen benchtops.
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