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 Day One Continued Rerouting the Wiring - Make sure the power is turned off.
Note: Everyone's house is different, but the main thing is to make life as simple for yourself as you can. To rewire, in most cases you will either go into the attic and run wires over the top to the new location, or go down into the basement and run your wires down there. - Use a versabit to drill a 5/8" hole through the wall plate (figure A). This will allow you to pull wire up from the basement.
Note: Versabits are usually 48" long, so make sure the bit won't hit anything on the other side. - Wiggle fish tape down into the hole.
- Wrap your wire onto the end of the fish tape and pull it up into the wall (figure B).
Note: As you go, use a circuit tester to check for power. You can use a pigtail tester to see if you have power, an induction tester or a plug in polarity tester. This will show you if you have black to black and white to white. Prep Wall for Countertop - You need to block the wall to make it stronger for the counter. Wedge blocks in the opening (figure C).
- Put a series of screws in the side to hold it in place.
Building the Soffit Note: Soffits are often a perfect solution when you are adding new wiring, lighting or ventilation to an existing space. A soffit will hide all the mechanicals and you can avoid having to open up walls or ceilings. For this particular project, Ryan built a soffit to hold the recessed can lights he chose for the kitchen. - To widen the space for a soffit, place a 2x4 up on the wall (figure D). After the blocks are up, cut large openings in the old drywall.
- Drill holes through the studs (figure E) to run the wiring for the lights.
- Put in the drywall.
- Mark the centers for the can lights and cut the holes with a drywall compass. Simply adjust the compass to the right width, tighten it up and this will mark a perfect hole (figure F).
- Put the drywall compound up and spray texture on the ceiling.
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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