Time: 16 hours over two days. Difficulty Rating: This project rates a 4 on the Weekend Handyman scale.
Materials: Fish tape
Joint compound
2 x 4's for new framing
Drywall
Electrical wiring and accessories
Laminate for countertop
Particle board for new counter
Recessed lighting Tools: Level
Utility knife
Reciprocating saw
Drywall hole cutter
Versabit (long flexible drill)
Texture sprayer to match popcorn ceiling
Circular saw
Jigsaw
Router
Belt sander
Heat gun
Roller
Bottom bearing flush cutting bit
File Preparation - Keep in mind that before you cut into any wall you have to determine if it is a load-bearing wall or not. A load-bearing wall holds up the rest of your house, but you can open it up as long as you install a header, which makes it a much more complicated project.
- Before you begin, have a certified building engineer take a look at the project and make recommendations. You can find them in yellow pages of the phone book under "structural engineers".
- You should also check with your city inspector and see if you need a building permit.
- Allow a week or more before beginning the project to order the laminate. It comes in large sheets and you can choose from hundreds of styles. The cost is approximately $50 per sheet.
- Gather all tools and materials before you begin.
- Lay tarp down and cover everything to keep dust from going all over the place.
Day One Cutting Through the Wall - The first step is to mark two lines at the top and bottom where you are going to cut your wall with a level. The top is flush with the door height and the bottom is about 40" or bar height. Mark both sides of the wall (figure A) to be sure you make a level cut.
- Turn off the power at the circuit box and then remove the thermostat and switch covers.
Note: Because of the wiring inside the wall, Ryan and his crew couldn't just start cutting. They had to start with the middle section of the wall first -- mainly the dry wall. - Cut the marked lines with a utility knife (figure B).
- Cut the corner beads away with a reciprocating saw.
Note: Don't worry about the edges of the drywall. You will patch those later. - Make a few holes in the wall to get started.
- Rip the drywall off (figure C). Be careful around the edges -- use a utility knife.
Note: Edges of the corner bead are sharp. Use gloves! - Repeat the drywall removal on the kitchen side.
- Move wires away from studs (figure D).
- Put in additional outlets, phone lines, lights, etc. when the wall is open.
Expert Tip: Any time you have a wall opened up, it's a perfect time to put in extra outlets, new light fixtures or new phone lines. It's a lot easier to do it now than when you have to fish into an existing wall. - Cut the studs with a reciprocating saw (figure E).
Tip: Hold the saw level to keep the cuts even across the wall. A second person is helpful to hold the cut pieces.
RESOURCES :
Start-to-Finish Cabinets and Countertops
ISBN: 0897214765
Author: Ortho Books Editor
Order this title from Amazon, click here.
Ortho Books
Columbus, OH 43216
Recessed Lights (Cooper Lighting)
Brand Name: Halo Small Aperture Remodel Housing
Model Number: H99RT
Cooper Lighting
1121 Highway 74 South
Peachtree City, GA 30269
Phone: 770-486-4800
Fax: 770-486-4801
Website: www.cooperlighting.com
Trim (Cooper Lighting)
Brand Name: Halo White Colex Baffle Trim
Model Number: H99RT
Color: White
Where Available: Local Halo electrical distributor or lighting showroom
Cooper Lighting
1121 Highway 74 South
Peachtree City, GA 30269
Phone: 770-486-4800
Fax: 770-486-4801
Website: www.cooperlighting.com
High Pressure Decorative Laminate (WilsonArt International)
Brand Name: WilsonArt
Model # 4781-60
Color: Sun Stone
Suggested Retail Price: $2-$2.50/sq.ft.
Where Available: Local home centers
Miscellaneous Product Information:
- Use as much pressure on roller as possible.
- Glue bond is most critical part. Put two coats on edge, 100 percent coverage around perimeter and 70 percent coverage on interior.
WilsonArt International
Website: www.wilsonart.com
Maestro Dimmer (Lutron Electronics)
Brand Name: Lutron Electronics
Model Number: MA-600-IV
Color: Ivory
Suggested Retail Price: $40 or less
Where Available: Home improvement centers, lighting showrooms or your electrical professional
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
Website: www.lutron.com
Spacer Dimmer with Remote Control (Lutron Electronics)
Brand Name: Lutron Electronics
Model Number: SP-600-HTH-IV
Color: Ivory
Suggested Retail Price: $80 or less
Where Available: Home improvement centers, lighting showrooms or your electrical professional
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
Website: www.lutron.com
Kitchen Remodeling: A Planning and Resource Guide
Model: 0865735883
Author: Creative Publishing international Editor
(March, 2000)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com
Kitchens: Planning and Remodeling
Model: 0376013478
Author: Sunset Books Editor
(January, 2000)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Sunset Books
GUESTS :
Shane Kretsinger
Vice President, Operations
Autumn River
We apologize no contact information is available.
Bob Eckelman
President
Bob's Wood Specialties
Website: www.bobswoodspecialties.com
Steve Holstein
6130 Blue Circle Dr.
Suite 100
Minnetonka, MN 55343
Phone: 952-217-0423
Sales Representative
Cooper Lighting
Melissa Andresko
7200 Suter Rd.
Coopersburg, PA 18036
Phone: 610-282-6440
Communications Project Leader
Lutron Electronics
Roger Fedie
9201 Wyoming Ave. N.
Suite 100
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Phone: 763-424-4383
Business Development Representative
Wilsonart International
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