| Installing Counter Tops |
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Counter tops for single cabinets are relatively easy to install. You can buy them to fit standard cabinets and fasten them from below. Make sure that the screws you use aren’t so long that they will pop up through the counter top. If you have a group of cabinets such as in a kitchen or as built-ins in a den or office, you may need to build your own counter tops in place—or have them built for you. That’s because there’s a wide variety of cabinet group designs and there aren’t that many standard groupings. Fortunately, planning and installing counter tops isn’t that difficult. Many do-it-yourselfers opt to install ceramic tile over a sturdy plywood counter base. Installation is similar to that of installing tile floors on a smaller scale. Alternately, you can install a plastic laminate on the plywood counter base, sometimes known by the Formica brand name. The top is installed with a special (and caustic) adhesive, rolled smooth, and trimmed with a power router. Then the facing edge is installed in the same manner. Check your building material supplier for more options and more specific directions. Your cabinet is now ready for installing plumbing fixtures. Remodeling Safety Be very careful working around counter-top adhesives. Prolonged exposure may cause respiratory problems. Make sure you read and heed the directions on the container.
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