Table Of ContentThe Complete Guide to
CabineTs &
CounTerTops
How to Customize Your Home
with Cabinetry
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOtA
001-005_30601.indd 1 5/16/13 2:02 PM
001-005_30601.indd 1 5/16/13 1:56 PM
(Fogra 39)Job:05-30601 Title:MBI-The Complete GGuuiiddee ttoo CCaabbiinneettss && CCoouunntteerrttooppss
(Text)(Ray) #175 Dtp:225 Page:1
Contents
8
The Complete Guide to
Cabinets & Countertops
12 13
Introduction 6
Gallery 8
Tools & Materials 16
Power Tools 20
Jobsite Preparation 22
33
Project safety 23
CabIneTs 24
Cabinet Selection 26
Cabinet Door Mounting & Construction Styles 28
45 41
New Cabinet Prep 32
Stock Cabinets 38
Wall-Mounted Cabinets 40
Base Cabinets 44
Frameless Cabinetry 48
58
Freestanding Cabinets 50
Customizing Stock Cabinets 52
Slide-Out Storage 54
Custom Cabinetry 58
Advanced Kitchen Cabinets 70
78 79
001-005_C68935.indd 3 5/21/13 3:28 PM
001-005_C68935.indd 3 5/21/13 3:27 PM
(Fogra 39)Job:05-30601 Title:MBI-The Complete GGuuiiddee ttoo CCaabbiinneettss && CCoouunntteerrttooppss
(Text)(Ray) 05-C68935 #175 Dtp:225 Page:3
Contents (Cont.)
88
116 121
Building Drawers 86
Building Cabinet Doors 100
Hanging Cabinet Doors 110
Bathroom Window Seat 116
Recessed Cabinet 120
137
Media Bar 128
Full-Height Medicine Cabinet 134
Custom Laundry Center 140
Compact Laundry Center 146
Custom Double Vanity Cabinet 150
132 145
Double-Bowl Vanity Top 156
149 150
156
001-005_30601.indd 4 5/16/13 2:03 PM
001-005_30601.indd 4 5/16/13 1:56 PM
(Fogra 39)Job:05-30601 Title:MBI-The Complete GGuuiiddee ttoo CCaabbiinneettss && CCoouunntteerrttooppss
(Text)(Ray) #175 Dtp:225 Page:4
186
COuNTERTOPS 160
Countertop Basics 162
Post-form Countertops 168
Butcher Block Countertops 172
Laminate Countertops 178
162 191
Concrete Countertop 186
Tile Countertops 194
Granite Tile Countertops 204
Tile Backsplash 208
Recycled Paper Countertops 212
199 209
Resources 219
Metric Conversions 220
Index 221
208
212 204
001-005_30601.indd 5 5/16/13 2:03 PM
001-005_30601.indd 5 5/16/13 1:56 PM
(Fogra 39)Job:05-30601 Title:MBI-The Complete GGuuiiddee ttoo CCaabbiinneettss && CCoouunntteerrttooppss
(Text)(Ray) #175 Dtp:225 Page:5
006-043_30601.indd 6 5/16/13 2:04 PM
006-043_30601.indd 6 5/16/13 1:57 PM
(Fogra 39)Job:05-30601 Title:MBI-The Complete Guide to Cabinets & Countertops
(Ray) #175 Dtp:225 Page:6
Introduction
ew home improvements can transform the look and function of a room more dramatically than new cabinets
Fand countertops. Install a set of cabinets in a laundry room, and suddenly the space is not only more
handsome, it’s actually a more pleasant and efficient place for washing clothes. Another popular improvement,
new kitchen countertops, can completely revitalize the appearance of the room while improving storage and
adding durable work surfaces. Even areas that you don’t normally think of as cabinetry rooms, like bedrooms and
mudrooms, can reap enormous benefits from a few strategically placed cabinets.
As useful and as beautiful as they can be, however, even modest cabinets and countertops represent a
significant investment in time, money, and effort. You’ll want to choose carefully so that you install permanent
home furnishings that meet your storage and work-surface needs perfectly, while fitting in with your décor for a
long time to come.
The truth is, appearance and function are inextricably intertwined in these high-impact home elements.
Some countertops are tough enough to withstand hot pots, fend off knife cuts, and resist stains: quite possibly
your primary objective. Others are fabulously attractive, but a little less tough. On the cabinetry side, you can
choose a traditional face-frame cabinet style that practically assures you’ll have no design failures, but at the
expense of maximizing your storage space and perhaps doing something a little more creative.
The bottom line, when it comes to cabinets and countertops, is that your cabinet and countertop decisions
must strike a balance between function and form. Fortunately, you will find no lack of choices when you visit your
local building center or specialty supplier, and all of them can be put to work to help you with that balance.
Countertops can be created with a vast array of materials, from the simplest post-form prefabs to imported
marble or granite tile. There is also an increasing number of countertop choices that are both beautiful and eco-
friendly, including recycled paper and recycled glass versions. This wealth of choices also has meant that there are
more inexpensive options available than ever before—as well as more high-tech and high-end choices.
You’ll face a similar range of options when choosing cabinets as you will when choosing countertops.
Although there are really two basic types—face-frame and frameless—there are countless options within those
two divisions. Door styles themselves vary from simple flat “slab” panels to incredibly ornate, handcrafted rail-
and-stile versions, and then to even less traditional options like glass fronts, which themselves come in a range
of styles. You can choose the convenience of stock cabinets, semi-custom, or entirely custom-made. And your
options don’t stop there. You’ll find many specialty features like pull-out spice racks and extendable cutting boards
that can make your cabinets even more useful.
Whether you’re building and installing cabinets and countertops yourself, having someone install them, or
something in between, you’ll find all the information you need in the pages that follow. We’ve included insight to
help you make the decision in the first place, and projects that will teach you all the skills and techniques you’ll
need to tackle any countertop or cabinet installation.
■ 7
006-043_30601.indd 7 5/16/13 2:04 PM
006-043_30601.indd 7 5/16/13 1:57 PM
(Fogra 39)Job:05-30601 Title:MBI-The Complete Guide to Cabinets & Countertops
(Text)(Ray) #175 Dtp:225 Page:7
■ Gallery of Countertops
Go stunning on a budget with a new laminate countertop. The looks available in modern laminate are incredibly varied … and
incredibly realistic. The faux stone countertop shown here is a prime example of what can be achieved with the latest laminate
products and a tight budget.
Pick from a variety of edge profiles with laminates. Long Today’s laminates deliver texture too! A mica-flecked
gone are the basic flat drop fronts of your mother’s laminate engineered surface? Hardly. This is a laminate countertop with
countertops; modern versions offer a wealth of edge profiles. a top texture that re-creates all the imperfections of the most
The choices include the rounded look shown here, which intriguing stone surface. Combined with the amazingly
effectively carries through the illusion of a real stone surface. realistic appearance, laminate textures add a whole new
You can also opt for thicker drop fronts, highly detailed dimension of options for any homeowner looking for a
profiles, and many more. low-cost, stunning countertop.
8 ■ ThE COmplETE guIDE TO CAbInETS & COunTErTOpS
006-043_30601.indd 8 5/16/13 2:04 PM
006-043_30601.indd 8 5/16/13 1:57 PM
(Fogra 39)Job:05-30601 Title:MBI-The Complleettee GGuuiiddee ttoo CCaabbiinneettss && CCoouunntteerrttooppss
(Text)(Ray) #175 Dttpp::222255 PPaaggee::88
Genuine quartz can be a stunning alternative to marble Add a splash of scintillating pattern to any kitchen with a
or granite. This “green” material is mined using eco-friendly quartz countertop. The mesmerizing, flowing design in this
methods, is incredibly durable, and simply looks luxurious. This stone surface contrasts the solid-colored surfaces throughout
white surface, with its bump-out sink edge, is clear evidence of the space and creates a high-quality focal point in the room.
the marvelous looks that can be achieved with quartz.
Turn to unusual materials for a stunning look in a hallmark Add a magical color element to your kitchen with a volcanic
room. This mirrored bathroom is perfectly accented by a rock countertop. The manufacturing process used to create
scintillating blue countertop formed of polished volcanic rock. these surfaces allows for colors from bold to nuanced, creating
Durable, waterproof, and available in a painter’s palette of unique appearances that are truly one-of-kind. The counters in
colors, these countertops are ideal in wet spaces where you this room combine an intriguing visual depth with an incredibly
want to make a design statement. hard, durable material.
Introduction ■ 9
006-043_30601.indd 9 5/16/13 2:04 PM
006-043_30601.indd 9 5/16/13 1:57 PM
(Fogra 39)Job:05-30601 Title:MBI-The Complete GGuuiiddee ttoo CCaabbiinneettss && CCoouunntteerrttooppss
(Text)(Ray) #175 Dtp:225 Page:9
■ Gallery of Countertops
Choose a recycled glass countertop for an enduring surface Spruce up an otherwise sedate kitchen design with an
that sparkles under natural or artificial light. This subtle version island countertop of recycled glass. Not only is this counter a
fits right in with the sophisticated cabinets, backsplash, and wonderful departure from the neutral, solid-colored surfaces
accessories in this kitchen, but small variations in the color throughout the space, it’s also incredibly durable—making a
of the glass used create small, lovely focal points throughout wonderful work surface.
the countertop. Even when it’s time to update the kitchen, the
countertop can remain as a timeless part of the design.
Take advantage of the fun color potential recycled glass countertops offer. This upbeat, whimsical, and colorful kitchen is
perfectly accented with a recycled glass countertop featuring a rainbow of colors that looks like parade confetti. This particular
countertop was a brilliant choice, one that holds its own in a bright and bold kitchen design.
10 ■ ThE COmplETE guIDE TO CAbInETS & COunTErTOpS
006-043_30601.indd 10 5/16/13 2:04 PM
006-043_30601.indd 10 5/16/13 1:57 PM
(Fogra 39)Job:05-30601 Title:MBI-The Complleettee GGuuiiddee ttoo CCaabbiinneettss && CCoouunntteerrttooppss
(Text)(Ray) #175 Dttpp::222255 PPaaggee::1100
