Hi,

My new countertop is coming in on Wednesday. So, trying to learn a little ahead of time about the best way(s) to attach it. It will be placed on top of the Mills Pride cabinets. What works best? Any tips/tricks that you guys have found? Any pitfalls to look out for?

Thanks!

 

There should be some plastic triangles in each corner of the cabinets at the top. These are used to attach the countertop to the cabinet. If they aren't there, you can cut triangles from plywood or dimension lumber, drill a slightly oversized hole (to allow for movement) in the triangle, attach it slightly below the rim of the cabinet in the corners. Just make sure the screws you use aren't long enough to penetrate the formica!

 

If the style of cabinet is framless, (The doors and drawers the entire front of the cabinet box), you'll need to add 1/2" to the top of the cabinets or the drawers will be captured or won't close.
You can then screw up through the 1/2" into the top. A 1" coarse thread will do, do not set the head.

 

yes, they are frameless cabinets. So, should I attach 1X stock for the space? Less than 1"?

Should I attach the 1X to the countertop and then attach the countertop to the cabinet? Or, should I attach the 1X4 (or whatever you suggest) to the cabinet and then connect that to the countertop?

Do I use any type of adhesive? If not, and if I don't "set" the head of the screws, what will keep the countertop from sliding around?

Thanks again for the suggestions! They are very helpful!

 

Attach the filler to the cabinet with nails or screws. If you use a 3/4" nominal lumber, you will see 1/4".
I use 1/2X1.5" door stop.
I do not use an adhesive in case there will be another change down the line.

 

This is very helpful!

So, run strips of the door stop all around the top of the cabinets, and screw through the stop into the countertop at the front and back of the cabinets? How many screws are necessary per cabinet? This is a large countertop, approx 13ft long with a sink. Should I just run one long strip all the way down the front and back of the cabinets and then cut smaller strips to run down the sides of the cabinets?

Good point about the adhesive, I hadn't thought about that!

Just to help you understand, from left to right, I have a sink cabinet, then an open space for the dishwasher, then three cabinets that this countertop is running over.

Thanks again!
Lou

 

Correct, 4 per large cab. will do, however, if you have a 24" peice of toe kick left over, rip an 1.5" wide peice and insert it between the sink cab. and the next base. It will give a finished appearence to the DW installation.

And by the way, prime the underside of the countertop at the DW space all the way to the front edge of the formica. This will prevent the possibitity of delamination from the steam some of the modern DW and DD produce.

 

Everything makes perfect sense, except the part about the extra toe kick above the dishwasher. When you say 1.5 inches wide, do you mean 1.5 inches from front to back (after it's installed)? or do you mean 1.5 inches thick?

As for where you are talking about placing it:
If I understand you correctly, you're saying that I should put it in between the sink cabinet and the cabinet on the other side of the dishwasher. Are you talking about the top, front, between these two cabinets? Also, at 1.5 inches thick, won't it stick down further than the other (.5 inch) doorstop? Last question, how do you attach it? To the sides of the two counters, or to the bottom of the countertop, after it's installed?

Thanks again, your help and suggestions have been invaluable!

 

Yes. there is edge tape which can be ironed on.

[/QUOTE]If I understand you correctly, you're saying that I should put it in between the sink cabinet and the cabinet on the other side of the dishwasher. Are you talking about the top, front, between these two cabinets? [/QUOTE]

Correct, it lends to the overall appearence of the finished product.

[/QUOTE] Last question, how do you attach it? To the sides of the two counters, or to the bottom of the countertop, after it's installed?[/QUOTE]

Under the spacer and through the side wall of the cabinet boxes.

[/QUOTE]Thanks again, your help and suggestions have been invaluable![/QUOTE]

Anytime

 

Also, you may choose to replace the interior base cabinet shelving with roll-out from Rev-e-shelve and if you have a corner cabinet, you might consider a full or half susan, all of which are available after market.