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How We Do It
LAMINATES
First and foremost, we use a custom built heat press to adhere our
laminates to a 45lb western pine particleboard, (45lb board being
defined as what a cubic foot of the substrate weighs…now you know!),
this insures that the “Formica,” (Formica actually being the brand
name of one several brands of laminate available...), will NOT come
loose.
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Heat Press |
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Heat Bar |
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Next,
we bend the backsplashes, (if applicable to your top), on a 1-1/4”
diameter heated brass bar, built by Dale and Don, who were the
original D&D. (Pretty cool eh? No, remember it’s a heated bar…) |
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Then, we trim and file the edges, do the
cutouts for your sink or cooktop and clean it up real nice.
These processes are pretty much the same
way Dale and Don did it from the beginning. By the way, Jim and Bob,
(D&D’s current owners), worked for Dale for years after Don sold his
portion of the company. |
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Beveled edges, if
applicable, are separate pieces that are attached with Lockweld
glue and are held in place until dry with fiber tape. When
completely dry, the tape is carefully removed and the edges get
filed and we clean it up! |
Contrary to what a
lot of folks think, the laminate tops with the rounded front edges
are less expensive than the square or bevel edge styles. They are
made in twelve foot lengths and must be cut like a picture frame
to fit into the corners of your kitchen, which explains where the
always present seams in this style come from. |
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When we make a
square or bevel edge top, we cut the particleboard and glue it up
in the shape of your kitchen, forming the “blank” to which we
apply the laminate. This affords us the ability to put any
required seams in the least noticeable places in your countertop.
With a maximum laminate sheet size of 5’ x 12’, we can possibly
build your tops without seams at all. |
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SOLID SURFACE
These tops and the
process of building them is very cool! The material comes ½” thick
x 30” x 144”. We glue it up with a color matched glue and we can
basically make any shape your imagination and budget can tolerate,
providing it will fit through your doorways and we can carry it! |
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you’ve chosen an integrated under-mount sink, we glue it to the
bottom, cut the opening and using a tricked out router, we clean
up the edge so the sink appears to part of the top. It’s a
chemical thing that bonds it permanently. |
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Seams in the top are
virtually invisible, it’s not unusual that we have a hard time
finding them from the top view. Not to worry, they are reinforced
from below.
Finally, the backsplashes offer a sky’s the limit set of options,
we can cove and integrate them, make them square and install them
at your home or if you prefer, none at all. It all depends on the
final look you desire. |
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GRANITE AND QUARTZ
We’ve partnered with Lonnie’s Stonecrafters of Rockford, IL to
offer very competitive pricing on a full line of granites and
several brands of quartz, including: ZODIAQ, LG VIATERA, SILESTONE,
CAESARSTONE, HANSTONE, STARON, AND TECHNISTONE. |
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With our experience and knowledge,
we can put to rest your concerns and questions surrounding all of
these products. Samples available in our showroom. |
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CUSTOM LAMINATED AND WOOD PRODUCTS |
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We can
make most any type of table, entertainment center, bar, office
desk, or coffee mugs. Just kidding, we don’t use clay.
We will listen to your needs, interpret and design accordingly.
Plus, we can install anything for you, unless you want to take on
that part of the project yourself. |
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