Solid Mineral Tops
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Introduction
Apollo® Slab Tech is manufactured from mineral filled polyacrylate/polyester resins. With superior innovative designs, enduring applications and excellent long-term performance, Apollo® Slab Tech is ideal in both residential and commercial environments. Apollo® Slab Tech has proved itself to be a remarkably durable material; it cannot delaminate and stands up well to daily wear and tear.
Joints
Apollo® Slab Tech has inconspicuous and unobtrusive joints, and due to the level of pigment in the material, give the overall appearance of a seamless worksurface.
Thermal expansion
Due to thermal expansion Apollo® Slab Tech can expand up to 1mm per metre. A gap of at least 3mm should be left at each end of the worktop and filled with decorators caulk. When Apollo® Slab Tech is joined to other materials (such as glass, steel or wood) an elastic type of adhesive, for example polyurethane, is required to let parts expand and contract freely.
Overhangs and supports
Any overhang of Apollo® Slab Tech extending more than 300mm must be supported. Apollo® Slab Tech should be supported every 600mm.
Hob and Sink Cutouts
Hobs must be integrated into an Apollo® Slab Tech worksurface according to specified guidelines. Where an Apollo® Slab Tech splash back or wall cladding is installed a gap of 50mm (minimum) is required behind an electric hob or 150mm (minimum) for a gas hob. A 'breakfront' may be necessary to accommodate this requirement. There must be a minimum of 50mm from the cutout to the front of the worktop and a gap of 120mm between cutout and hob if hot. This is required under terms of the product warranty.
Upstands
Apollo® Slab Tech coved upstands are manufactured and fixed in the factory. Due to manufacturing constraints there may be gaps, as these upstands are manufactured in a straight line. This type of upstand is not suitable for walls where there are large variations in the wall profile. Plastering or tiling should ideally be completed after the worksurface installation.
Scratches
Apollo® Slab Tech is scratch resistant but not scratch proof; the use of chopping boards and/or pastrymates is recommended. Dark, heavily pigmented colours will show scratches, dust and ordinary wear and tear more readily than lighter, textured forms.
Staining
While most tough stains can be buffed away, a level of care and maintenance is required, as spills should be cleaned up immediately.
Repairable
Apollo® Slab Tech can be easily be repaired. Using an ordinary abrasive cleaner and a scouring pad the surface may be fully restored to its original appearance.
Hygienic
Apollo® Slab Tech is a non porous material and is naturally resistant to mould, bacteria and mildew.
Stainless Steel Sinks
Please specify the preferred undermounting of Stainless Steel Sinks. Silicone sealant may be rendered ineffective when plumbing the sink in, it is important that the sink is re-sealed by the plumber, or the 12 months guarantee will be invalid if the work is not carried out.
Apollo Magna Tops
For installation videos on this product, please click Here
Introduction
Apollo® solid surface is manufactured from mineral filled polyacrylate/polyester resins. With superior innovative designs, enduring applications and excellent long-term performance, Apollo® solid surface is ideal in both residential and commercial environments. Apollo® solid surface has proved itself to be a remarkably durable material; it cannot delaminate and stands up well to daily wear and tear.
Joints
Apollo® solid surface has inconspicuous and unobtrusive joints, and due to the level of pigment in the material, give the overall appearance of a seamless worksurface.
Thermal expansion
Due to thermal expansion Apollo® solid surface can expand up to 1mm per metre. A gap of at least 3mm should be left at each end of the worktop when fitted and filled with decorators caulk. When Apollo® solid surface is joined to other materials (such as glass, steel or wood) an elastic type of adhesive, for example polyurethane is required for expansion.
This is required under terms of the product warranty.
Overhangs and supports
Any overhang of Apollo® solid surface extending more than 300mm must be supported. Apollo® solid surface should be supported every 600mm.
Hob and Sink Cutouts
Hobs must be integrated into an Apollo® Solid Surface worksurface according to specified guidelines. Where an Apollo® solid surface splash back or wall cladding is installed a gap of 50mm (minimum) is required behind an electric hob or 150mm (minimum) for a gas hob. A 'breakfront' may be necessary to accommodate this requirement. There must be a minimum of 50mm from the cutout to the front of the worktop and a gap of 120mm between cutout and hob if hot.
Upstands
Apollo® solid surface upstands are fixed on site, with Apollo® solid surface glue or silicone. Where there are large variations in the wall profile, there may be gaps between the wall and the upstand. Plastering or tiling should ideally be completed after the worksurface installation.
Scratches
Apollo® solid surface is scratch resistant but not scratch proof; the use of chopping boards and/or pastrymates is recommended. Dark, heavily pigmented colours will show scratches, dust and ordinary wear and tear more readily than lighter, textured forms.
Staining
While most tough stains can be buffed away, a level of care and maintenance is required, as spills should be cleaned up immediately.
Repairable
Apollo® solid surface can easily be repaired. Using an ordinary abrasive cleaner and a scouring pad the surface may be fully restored to its original appearance.
Hygienic
Apollo® solid surface is a non-porous material and is naturally resistant to mould, bacteria and mildew.
Stainless Steel Sinks
Please specify the preferred undermounting of Stainless Steel Sinks. Silicone sealant may be rendered ineffective when plumbing the sink in, it is important that the sink is re-sealed by the plumber, or the 12 months guarantee will be invalid if the work is not carried out.
Points of note
Hob flange needs to sit on aluminium thermal insulation tape around cut-out, to avoid conducting too much heat and causing cracks in the worktop. Can be made in blanks to adjust on site without compromising any of the above - oversize on the joints then trim to suit.
Drainers are only 3mm deep and 10mm wide.
Some colours have different levels of pigmentation (particles). This may lead to a variation in the aesthetic appearance.
Solid Wood Tops
Introduction
Wood worksurfaces are crafted from solid hardwood timber staves and finger jointed in length. The wood is then butt jointed and glued together along its width and finely oiled to create a beautifully water repellent surface. Wood worksurface products have a treasured history in commercial and residential environments, whether contemporary or classic in style.
Storage
Timber worktops should be stored at room temperature away from all sources of heat and moisture prior to installation. An external room without heating, ie. A garage is not suitable and could cause warping/swelling. Please either store flat or on their longest edge as instructed on the packaging. Never prop up a worktop vertically against a wall. Ideally stored horizontally on a sound and level surface, with timber battens placed between each blank at 600mm centres maximum.
When installed in a room with an Aga, acclimatisation is needed for a few days before being fitted.
DO NOT leave in an unheated room.
Joints
Wood worksurfaces can be butt or mitre jointed dependent upon the edge detail. Mitre joints require additional support on site and require an additional length of worksurface to install.
Thermal Expansion
Wood worksurface products should ideally be kept at room temperature. In kitchens where temperatures can be either very cold (unoccupied site) or very humid, then the level of maintenance required is greater, especially in the immediate days / weeks after installation. In these cases extra coats of worksurface sealant will be necessary to prevent drying out and warping.
If an under oven, dishwasher, washingmachine or tumble dryer is to be installedunder the worksurface, a piece of aluminium foil should be adhered to the underside, with the foil face outwards. This will protect it from any intense heat or moisture. Allow a 3-4mm gap between the back edge of the worktop and the wall to allow expansion and contraction.
We don't recommend timber wall cladding due to warping.
Overhangs and Support
Any overhang extending more than 300mm must be supported.
Hob & Sink Cut-outs
- Sink cut-outs should be a minimum of 50mm from the worktop front edge. Aluminium foil should be applied to the edges of hob cut-outs.
- There should be a minimum 200mm between hob cut-outs.
- Hob cut-outs should be a minimum of 50mm from the worktop front edge.
- Hob flange needs to sit on the aluminium foil around the cut-out, to avoid conducting too much heat into the wood and causing cracking.
- When a worktop is to be fitted near to an Aga, Rayburn or similar allow a minimum gap of 4mm. Ideally a solid wood return should be fixed across the end grain to stop any splits occurring.
Upstands
It is important that upstands are fixed to the wall and not to the worksurface. There should be a 3mm gap between the worksurface and upstand, the only connection between upstand and worksurface should be silicone sealant, allowing natural movement of your worksurface.
Scratches
Wood worksurface products may be more prone to scratching than some other surfaces. The use of chopping boards and / or pastry mates is recommended in order to protect the surface finish.
Staining
It is important to remember not to leave wine glasses, dishes containing curry, wet copper - bottomed pans or similar items on wood worksurface products.
Repairable
Although the first few marks and scratches will stand out dramatically, hardwood has many unique qualities and with a little care and attention the passage of time can enhance its beauty. In the unfortunate event of sustaining damage, a wood worksurface maybe rubbed down and refinished, leaving it as good as new.
Stainless Steel Sinks
Please specify preferred method of undermounting Stainless Steel sinks. There should be a minimum 200mm between sink cut-outs. Drainer grooves can only be cut in the middle of staves, due to the nature of the construction of your worksurface.
If a waste disposal unit is fitted to an undermounted sink after installation, additional support will be required, otherwise your warranty may be invalidated.
Points of Note
Plastering or tiling should be completed after installation.
When fixing to the cabinets, only use slotted angle brackets to secure the worktop to the carcass. Always use washers with screws.
If a carcass has a solid top, or you can only secure through the top rail always drill an oversized hole (8 - 10mm) through the top of carcass and secure to the worksurface using a larger washer and screw. This allows the worksurface to slide over the washer in case of natural expansion or shrinkage.
Stave widths 40mm (±5) as standard. If unavailable 27mm (±1mm) Beech and Teak, 20mm (±1mm) on all other species will be supplied. Staves of an alternative thickness can be supplied but may have a longer lead time.
Random Stave Lengths
- Finger jointed in the length and edge glued in the width Tolerances -1mm/±5mm Length
- Finished to a 220 grit for blanks
- Finished to a 500 grit for bespoke worksurfaces
- Moisture content 10% ±2%
- Sheridan Ultra worksurface sealant is brushed on leaving a clear, water repellent, satin/matt finish.
- Individually shrink wrapped for delivery.
- Available as either a "supply only" product saving over £400 per kitchen, or templated and installed by our experienced installation team.