When decorating a kitchen, small gaps appear between the countertop and the wall at the joints, which spoil the appearance of the room. They are hidden with the help of skirting boards, thanks to which a smooth transition is formed in this space.
Such products are sold in the form of structures consisting of two parts - the inner part and the strip. You will learn more about how to attach a baseboard to a kitchen countertop in our article.
How to attach a baseboard to a kitchen countertop
Purpose of the plinth
There is another name for plinth - it's molding . The product is designed to perform a number of functions, for example, it closes a joint, protects the wall from moisture or debris, and also complements the kitchen design, because a countertop without molding does not look so aesthetically pleasing. Let's consider each of the functions performed separately.
Accessories for kitchen furniture
Disguise
The resulting gap between the wall surface and the tabletop looks unsightly, so it must be covered with a decorative plinth. In addition, during installation, the ends of the tabletop may be damaged or minor defects may appear on the wall at the junction. All this can be easily eliminated by installing molding.
Skirting for kitchen countertops
Moisture protection
In the process of preparing various dishes or washing dishes, splashes of water or small particles of debris always remain on the countertop, which can get into unprotected joints. Over time, debris will accumulate there, creating an unpleasant odor, and if water gets on the back surface of the kitchen furniture, it can cause mold to appear. To prevent all these troubles, installation of skirting boards is required.
Skirting boards cover joints from moisture penetration
Creating an Attractive Look
It is difficult to argue with the fact that the installed plinth performs various functions, including decorative ones. Thanks to the correctly selected molding, the kitchen set takes on a complete look. Therefore, decorative products need to be selected not only by size, but also by external qualities. In construction stores you can see a large number of products from different manufacturers, so there should not be any problems with choosing a skirting board.
Skirting board for table top
Note! When choosing, you must take into account the quality of the product, because the service life of the skirting boards will depend on it. Secondary criteria include the material of manufacture and the type of molding construction.
Types of countertops for kitchen cabinets
Selection principle
Choosing a kitchen plinth is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. It is necessary to take into account several factors and evaluate them correctly. Among them:
- Location of the kitchen unit: along one or several walls.
- The width of the resulting cracks.
- The evenness of the walls adjacent to the set and the type of their finishing.
- Possibility of locating sources of open fire or strong heating in close proximity to walls.
Manufacturers of kitchen furniture develop the design of sets taking into account the installation of baseboards and either offer it to the client upon purchase, or recommend purchasing the most suitable products for eliminating gaps between cabinets and walls. The choice largely depends on the color scheme of the facades and countertops. But only the buyer knows all the details of the interior of his room, including wall decoration. Therefore, you often have to make your own choice. The most practical and inexpensive option is aluminum baseboards for the tabletop.
Classification of skirting boards
Often, the kitchen set already includes a baseboard that matches the color scheme of the furniture. But if the set is made to order, then manufacturers offer customers several types of skirting boards to choose from. But such products do not always fit the main furniture or meet the customer’s requirements. In such cases, it is necessary to purchase the strips separately. Before purchasing, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with all types of skirting boards, because they are classified by shape, material of manufacture and design.
There are different types of skirting boards
By shape
There are many different forms in which such products are produced. The most popular of them include:
- triangular skirting boards;
- sketches;
- with rounded sides;
- flat or straight;
- square.
The shape and size of the skirting boards can also be different
It is necessary to choose the shape of the molding taking into account the gap between the edge of the table top and the wall. You should also choose a product taking into account the design idea.
By design features
Based on their design features, kitchen skirting boards are classified into cast and universal. Cast moldings have a rigid and more massive design. Such products are attached directly to the seal, since they are not equipped with a silicone profile. Cast skirting boards have a presentable appearance, but due to their increased rigidity they do not last very long.
Various types of skirting boards
The base of the universal plinth is a silicone seal to which special profiles are attached. Skirting boards can be produced in different colors, so if a product of the same color is already installed in the kitchen, then, if desired, replaceable inserts can be replaced by choosing a more suitable shade.
By material
Kitchen baseboards are made from different materials, each of which has its own pros and cons. We are talking about the cost of products, their service life and care features. Below are the most popular materials used in the production of moldings.
Table. Classification of skirting boards according to the material of manufacture.
| Type of plinth, photo | Description |
| Wood | Such skirting boards are mainly installed on countertops, which are also made of wood or chipboard. The material is relatively inexpensive, but it is quite difficult to match wooden skirting boards to the tabletop in order to obtain the desired combination. |
| Aluminum | A popular type of skirting boards. Such products are durable, they are not afraid of heating devices, and the surface is easy to clean. For the manufacture of skirting boards, polished and embossed material is used, covered with decorative finishing. Products may have different shapes and appearance. |
| Plastic | Polyvinyl chloride is used to make plastic moldings. The material is quite easy to modify, so manufacturers offer plastic skirting boards in different colors and shapes. Wood, marble or artificial stones can be used to decorate such products. |
| Stone | The material is more expensive, so skirting boards made of artificial stone are quite rare. Such products are installed vertically, pressing tightly against the wall surface. The baseboards are attached with glue. Their disadvantages include high cost and vulnerability to high temperatures. |
| Metal-plastic | Used to decorate countertops made from almost any material. Metal-plastic skirting boards can have a matte or glossy surface. It is not recommended to install such products near hobs. |
On a note! When choosing a kitchen plinth, you must take into account the size of the tabletop, or more precisely, its thickness. The standard tabletop has a thickness of 28 mm, but thicker and wider products are available.
Mounting methods
Before you begin installing the plinth, you need to familiarize yourself with the possible installation options for the product. All of them are so that, if necessary, the bar can be removed, for example, when temporarily moving a kitchen unit. But if the plinth is attached “tightly”, then this possibility will no longer exist.
Installation of wooden skirting boards
The first method involves fastening the baseboard to the tabletop, while the table itself is only pressed tightly against the wall, but is not secured with glue or screws. The second option is a little similar to the first, but now the baseboard needs to be attached to the wall, and it is only pressed against the surface of the countertop.
The plinth is attached to the tabletop
Important! When installing non-separable products, it is not customary to use fasteners, such as bolts or self-tapping screws. The shape of the moldings does not allow this. Therefore, for this purpose, sealants are used that simultaneously perform two functions - fixing and sealing the joint.
Features of installing skirting boards
If the design of the plinth is collapsible and it consists of two parts, then one of them must be attached to the surface of the tabletop or wall using small self-tapping screws. The second part neatly snaps onto the first.
Types of skirting boards by design
Skirting boards have different design solutions. Their configuration depends on this. The list of fastening and connecting elements may include:
- external and internal, left and right corners;
- connecting strips;
- self-tapping screws;
- plugs left and right.
The configuration depends on the configuration of the countertop design line. The removable outer strip can snap into place or fit into grooves on the inside of the baseboard. Also, its body can be solid. Installation of the baseboard is carried out using methods recommended by the manufacturers.
Cast
To order, you can make a one-piece plinth that exactly matches the line where the kitchen unit joins the wall. This is an advantageous solution in all respects, since it ensures tight sealing of gaps.
Expensive kitchen furniture is equipped with such products. Most often they are made of steel, specially treated wood or marble.
Universal
Universal kits consist of several strips, connecting and fastening elements. Such skirting boards are mounted on surfaces of different configurations. The standard length of the planks is 2.8-3 m. Installation of the plinth begins with cutting them into pieces of the required length.
Installing a baseboard for a countertop
As soon as the choice of kitchen baseboards is completed, you can begin their installation. Of course, such work requires careful preparation, one of the main points of which is the search for the necessary tools and materials.
Preparing tools
To install kitchen moldings, you need to prepare the following tools:
- hacksaw for metal;
- transparent silicone in a tube;
- carpenter's knife;
- set of self-tapping screws;
- screwdriver;
- tape measure, ruler or other measuring device.
Preparing tools for work
Along with skirting boards, stores sell decorative corners that can be used to hide the joints. There are end, external and internal corners. All of them are attached to the surface of the baseboard using silicone. If the corners are purchased separately from the molding, then you need to choose them in such a way that the products match perfectly in color.
Decorative corners for skirting boards
Instructions
The process of installing skirting boards in the kitchen is simple if everything is done according to the recommendations and rules. Below are step-by-step instructions, following which will greatly facilitate the work.
Step 1 . Measure the length of the tabletop and cut the required pieces of baseboard. To do this, you need to use a metal saw to make the cuts as even as possible.
Cut the skirting board to the required length
Step 2 . Divide the plinth into two parts - internal and external. You need to start working with the base of the molding, that is, with its inner part.
Dividing the baseboard into two parts
Step 3. Screw the base of the baseboard to the tabletop using a screwdriver. Instead of self-tapping screws, some craftsmen use glue, but in this case it will be impossible to carefully remove the installed baseboard. The optimal distance between screws is 15 cm.
Step 4. Once the base is screwed on all sides, proceed to install the decorative part of the baseboard. First you need to install the latch on one side, and then proceed to install the joining angle.
The joining angle is set
Step 5. When installing the joining angle, you need to remember that the front part of the plinth must extend under it by at least 5 mm. The corner itself is fixed with glue.
Glue is used to fix the corner
Step 6 . Using a tape measure, measure the desired length of the second baseboard, leaving a small gap so that part of the face latch is under the corner. If necessary, cut off the excess part of the baseboard.
The length of the second plinth is measured
Step 7 . Insert the upper part of the plinth under the decorative corner and press it against the base until a characteristic click appears. This means that the plinth is securely fixed.
The upper part of the plinth is inserted
Step 8. The edges of the plinth are closed with special plugs, which are sold complete with decorative corners. They will hide the cut area of the baseboard, thereby improving the overall appearance. The plugs are easy to install, you just need to press them.
Special decorative plug
Step 9 . This is what the finished plinth looks like. If all installation steps were correct, then the mounted molding will preserve this type of kitchen for a long time. To eliminate the possibility of water getting into the seams formed between the wall and the edge of the table top, this area must be treated with a sealant.
Installed kitchen plinth
Shape and dimensions
When choosing a plinth, attention is paid not only to the material of its manufacture. Shape and size are equally important. The finishing elements should fit tightly on one side to the tabletop, and on the other to the wall. This ensures a rectangular arrangement of the internal slats. Its external side may be different:
- beveled;
- curved;
- have a rectangular protrusion.
When choosing, take into account the dimensions of the bottom bar and guide. The height and width of the shelves may vary. The most important parameters are the strip that will be adjacent to the countertop. The plinth should overlap it by at least 1 cm. Wires are hidden in the space between the inside and the decorative insert of collapsible plinths.
Installing a kitchen plinth on a countertop is simple. Any owner can do this work. It is also suitable for women and teenagers. It is important to choose the right installation method and know the sequence of actions.
Subsequent care of the baseboard
Correct installation of the plinth is not the only factor influencing the condition of the product and the length of its service life. It is also important to learn how to properly care for baseboards. First of all, it is not recommended to use any detergents to wipe the baseboard. Dust should be wiped off with water only. Otherwise, dirt may be absorbed into the surface of the baseboard, especially if it is made of wood or chipboard.
You need to properly care for the baseboard
Note! You can also remove dust using a vacuum cleaner - this is the most effective and safest way to clean the surface of baseboards. But before cleaning, you need to put special attachments made of rubber on the vacuum cleaner.
Vinyl and plastic cleaner
If large stains appear on the baseboard that cannot be removed with plain water, you can use an abrasive agent. But before this, you need to test the selected product by using it to wash a section of the kitchen baseboard in an inconspicuous place, for example, behind the microwave. This is the only way to ensure that the powder or other cleaning agent is harmless. If everything is normal and the surface of the plinth is not damaged, then the product can be used to treat other areas of the plinth.
Kitchen baseboard
Even if the care of the skirting boards after their installation was of high quality, the products may still deteriorate slightly over time (their appearance deteriorates). In this case, restoration of the moldings is required. Restoration of wooden products involves applying one or several layers of varnish, and restoration of stone skirting boards involves grinding the surface . The sealant may also need to be replaced, but the old material must be removed first.
