Installing A Custom Wood Countertop
Installing A Custom Counter-Top
There is an unmistakable, unique quality when I see a solid wood counter-top. It is the mix warmth, character, and quality that makes it most popular and sought after. Many people have a perception that installing a solid wood counter-top is cost prohibitive. It is not.
I recently worked with a small mill shop outside of Austin Texas called DeVos Custom Woodworking. My experience dealing with DeVos was great. From start to finish the process was easy, enjoyable and I learned a lot. DeVos excelled in communication and did not disappoint with the quality of the counter top when it arrived.
I installed my own counter-top.
Templates:
If you plan on installing a custom wood counter top against any walls or other structures you will most likely need to use a template to get it to fit right. 
Templates are designed to reduce error and allows you to have your counter top fit to imperfect angles, uneven walls or rough surfaces. Shapes and cuts which look quite difficult can be transferred to your solid wood top by the DeVos skilled craftsmen in their shop. To do this, you need to provide DeVos with an accurate template. Templates are not required for every top such as an island and some peninsulas.
Template Tips:
- The template must be made of hardboard / chipboard or non-shrinking card stock in the exact measurements of the top.
- Do not overlap templates.
- Mark the template with readable and well defined front and rear edge symbols.
- Show the position of any sink, stove top, or knife block in relation to the cabinet below.
- Show the center line for all cut-outs and integrated items (i.e., sinks, stove tops, knife blocks, granite inserts, etc).
- A measurement sketch should accompany the templates. The sketch should show lengths and widths and corners that are not square.
- Tops are made according to templates.
- Templates are kept in our shop for three months, after which time they are destroyed.
- Note: In order to achieve the best results possible, you should contact a skilled counter-top installer.
Scribing and Cutting:
If you make a perfect template there should be no additional scribing and cutting. My template was not perfect and I knew that going into this. When my counter top arrived I had a few minor tweaking things to do to it.
A little scribing, planing and cutting got the counter-top to fit like a glove. I made sure to use the Waterlox finish DeVos provides to seal all cut ends of the counter-top to prevent humidity / moisture from entering the top.
