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Building a Kitchen Island
Instructional Steps on How to Build a Kitchen
Island
By: Mark J. Donovan
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If you have a large open kitchen then
you may want to consider building a kitchen island. A kitchen island is an
extremely useful workspace as it can serve multiple purposes, such as food
preparation, and dining. Building a kitchen island is not as difficult a home
improvement project as you may think. With two or three kitchen cabinet bases
and a kitchen countertop you can quickly build a kitchen island.
When contemplating building a kitchen island first evaluate your kitchen space
to determine the size of the kitchen island. |
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A general rule of thumb is to
allow approximately 3 feet of space between the kitchen island and the other
kitchen cabinets and appliances. This space is necessary to ensure that you
can walk comfortably between the kitchen island and the wall cabinets, as
well as have sufficient room to open kitchen cabinet doors, drawers and
appliances.
Once you have decided upon a rough size for your kitchen island, cut out a
large cardboard template to better assess the size and location of the
kitchen island. Once you have determined the best location for the kitchen
island using the cardboard template, mark the floor with tape to identify
the kitchen island corners.
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After you have marked the location of your future kitchen island, you can move
on to the next stage in building a kitchen island, buying the kitchen cabinet
bases and countertops.
Visit your local home improvement center to buy / order the appropriate number
of kitchen cabinet bases and kitchen countertop.
Building Kitchen Island
Position your new kitchen cabinet bases within the tape marks on the kitchen
floor.
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Use a level, clamps, wood shims, a
drill gun and screws to fasten the kitchen cabinets together.
It is important to make sure the cabinet bases are level and flush with each
other so take your time fastening the cabinet bases together.
To properly fasten the kitchen
cabinet bases together, screws should be placed between the adjacent cabinet
face frames and properly countersunk. Pilot holes should first be drilled into
the side face frames to prevent cracking the cabinet frames when screwing the
cabinets together. Also make sure to fasten the back sides of the kitchen
cabinets together. Spacers may need to be placed in-between the backs of the
kitchen cabinet bases prior to screwing them together.
Since the kitchen cabinet bases will
be freestanding the backs of them will need to be covered with paneling to dress
them up. You can either use a pre-manufactured paneling that can be ordered with
the kitchen cabinet bases, or use stock paneling material.
Once the kitchen cabinet bases are securely fastened together you can then dress
them up with trim moulding. In addition, fill any finish nail holes associated
with fastening the paneling to the kitchen cabinet backs, with a wax or wood
filler.
Finally mount the kitchen countertop on top of the kitchen cabinet bases. Secure
the kitchen countertop to the kitchen cabinet bases by using liquid nails and
screws. A bead of liquid nails should be applied to the tops of the kitchen
cabinet bases prior to placing the kitchen countertop on top of them. The screws
should then be attached from the underside of the kitchen cabinet bases.
And with the kitchen countertop mounted, your newly built kitchen island is
ready for use.
For help on your kitchen renovation project, see my
Kitchen Remodeling Bid Sheet. The Kitchen Remodeling Bid
Sheet provides a request for quote checklist section that you can provide to
prospective kitchen remodeling contractors. It also includes a comprehensive
kitchen remodeling cost breakdown table, in Microsoft Excel format, that allows
the contractor to include his projected remodeling costs for every phase of the
project.
How to Finance your Kitchen Renovation Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Related information on Kitchen Remodeling and Kitchen
Renovation Design Ideas
Additional Kitchen Renovation Design Resources
Kitchen Faucets and Appliances from Amazon.com
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Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on kitchen renovation from one of our prescreened and licensed kitchen
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