Island Tops Finished on All Four Sides

Bevella RTI Countertops are engineered and manufactured to the highest quality standards, built to your exact specifications and are easy to install for the home enthusiast who has the skills set for general home improvement projects around the house.

Installing a Bevella RTI Countertop will give your kitchen an amazing new look at such an affordable price, your budget won’t be stretched to the max.  The savings you are about to enjoy, will enable you to complete many other projects around the house.

Let’s Get Started

Tools Required

Tape Measure
Hammer
Pry Bar
Clamps
3/8" Variable Speed Drill
5/8" Speed Bore Bit
Jig-Saw with fine tooth blade (Laminate Cutting Preferred)
Screwdriver (Phillips & Flat)
Framing Square
Compass
Belt Sander with 80 Grit Belt
Fine mill file
7/16” Box Wrench (for bolts to connect countertop joints)
Shims
Caulking Gun with Adhesive Caulk (i.e. Phenoseal, etc., color to blend with top)
!” Plastic Putty Knife
Duct Tape
Pencil
Sharpie Fine Point Marker Pen
Various Wrenches for disconnecting sink and/or cooktop

Disconnect Your Sink – Be sure to shut off water valves under the sink.  If there are no valves and the main water supply has to be shut off, now may be the right time to consider putting valves in.  You may want to contact a local plumber to handle this part of the project.  Disconnect trap and tailpiece from basket strainer.

Care should be taken not to force wrenches either un-tightening or tightening joints.

Remove The Sink From Your Countertop – Sinks with metal rims, and self rimming stainless steel sinks are generally held in with clips from the underside of the countertop.  You may want to use a flashlight to locate them.  You can generally use a long slotted screwdriver to un-loosen and remove them.

Caution:  Sometimes the sink will fall out of the rim once clips are removed.  Cast Iron sinks are heavy and should be propped up from underneath before removing clips. 

Cast Iron Self Rimming sinks on the other hand are removed from the top of the counter.  They are usually glued under the rim with an adhesive caulk. 

Tip:  You can use a portable hairdryer to heat a small putty knife to help cut through the caulk.  Once adhesive caulk is loose, sink can be lifted out.

Use caution when lifting any sink out of the countertop.  Faucets can be damaged easily if pulled on to help remove sink.

Remove Cooktop or Built in Appliances – Be sure gas is shut off to any appliance to be removed.  If a gas valve is not present for the appliance now may be the right time to consider putting valves in.  You may want to contact a local plumber to handle this part of the project.

For electrical appliances be certain power is turned off prior to disconnecting and removing.

Built in countertop appliances are held in by various methods, clips from underneath, screws from inside (in many cases cooktop top surfaces lift up for cleaning or installation), etc. Consult your appliance manual when possible.

Caution: It is always advisable to contact a Licensed Plumbing or Electrical Contractor for removal and reinstallation of fixtures and appliances.  Most contractors will be more than happy to assist you with this phase.

Dishwasher – Open dishwasher and remove mounting screws secured to countertop.  There are generally two metal brackets that extend out at the top of the tub where these screws are located and can be seen with the door open.  Close door and lock shut. (This keeps door closed and unit from tipping over during countertop installation)

Remove the existing Countertop – Countertops are generally secured by screws from underneath, through cabinet framing in the front, or corner blocks located inside the cabinets.

If it is a very old countertop (with metal trim around the edge perimeter), it may have been nailed down through the top before the laminate was applied.  You may have to pry the counter up to free it from the cabinets. 

Tip: Carefully making a cut in the sink or cooktop openings will allow you to work with smaller pieces making the removal somewhat easier.

Caution- Be careful not to damage walls, cabinets or appliances when removing countertops or its pieces.

Carefully unpack your countertop removing all staples, cardboard covering and packing.

Use caution when handling so as not to damage front edges, joints or seams.  The job becomes simpler if you have a helper.

Carefully slide your countertop pieces into position to check condition of walls and overall fit.  Walls are generally not straight and rooms are often out of square.  This can easily be taken care of with a few simple adjustments during your installation.

Tip:  Before marking any countertop surface for cutting, apply duct tape first. then scribe or draw lines on duct tape and go over pencil line with Sharpie marker.  Duct tape will protect the top while cutting with jig saw.  Metal bases on jig saws can mar laminate surfaces

Island Tops Finished All Four Sides