Artis Real-Wood User manual

FIG. 6
Place the hardboard spacer strips provided in the installation kit on top of the cabinets to help the air
circulate. The hardboard strips should be placed every 60cm apart and where cabinets meet
together.
FIG. 7
You can decide yourself which way the worktop will move by selecting either the front or the
rear edge to fix your worktop into position.
FIG. 8 & FIG. 9
Joins have to be made with jointing bolts. Worktop biscuits must also be used to keep the
tops flush.
Use 3 bolts for a 650mm worktop. Drill holes into the tops of the cabinets, as it is very important that
the bolts are fastened from the inside of the cabinets. Use a butt and scribe joint rather than a mitre
when installing worktops in corners.
Place the 2 tops together and check to make sure all joints are square and true. Make any necessary
adjustments. On 90O corners, the worktops have been designed to always form right angled joins.
Insert the worktop biscuits and push the worktops together until they are 3-4mm apart and mount
the jointing bolts. Apply sealant from the installation kit along the joint and tighten the jointing bolts
so the joint is tight. (Do not over-tighten the bolts).
Remember to always carry out a final tightening and adjustment of the joints to complete
the installation. Clean off the excess bead of sealant whilst still wet.
FIG. 10
Always protect the worktop against heat (heaters/cookers) and moisture (dishwashers, washing
machines etc.) with aluminium foil. Glue the aluminium foil onto the underside of the worktop before
fixing. Make sure the foil covers the whole area of the worktop where the appliance is to be
positioned.
Household appliances such as coffee makers, toasters and microwave ovens should never
be placed directly onto the worktop surface as the wood may dry out and cracks may appear.
FIG. 11
Particular attention should be given to free-standing cookers. Apply aluminium strips with silicone
sealant to the edges of the worktop closest to the cooker.
Small cracks may occur but they are not damaging to the worktop, simply treat with extra oil.
FIG. 12
Free standing worktops measuring more than 250mm must always be supported by frames or the
insertion of T-bars to avoid bowing. If a worktop is to be fitted over a radiator, aluminium foil must be
used to the underside to deflect heat.
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INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
Please note:
Installer should read these instructions before installation
and pass them onto the consumer for advice on cleaning
and maintenance.
Jan 09 edition
ARTIS
real-wood
making life
nice and easy
making life nice and easy
REAL-WOOD INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
UPSTANDS
Upstands must always be installed after the worktops have been secured to the kitchen units.
They can be fastened by using silicone onto the back edge of the worktop surface and wall. It
is very important that the sealing against the worktop and wall is carried out correctly so that
water cannot get underneath the upstand. This will prevent damage and miscolouring of the
wood over time.
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IMPORTANT NOTE
Please leave these instructions with the consumer for important advice on cleaning and maintenance.
Before you do any work to your new Artis Solid Wood worktop, please ensure you are completely satisfied with the
product by checking for damage or defects.
GENERAL
On delivery of these worktops an inspection must be carried out to check for damage or defects.
Any complaints about these worktops must be made to the supplier immediately and always before installation,
as installed worktops will be seen as having been accepted.
In cases where visible product defects can be documented, the manufacturer will not be liable for the removal of the worktop
or the installation of a replacement.
The guarantee is valid for 12 months from the delivery date and covers all defects related to the manufacture of the worktop.
However, it does not cover incorrect treatment, maintenance, storage or installation of the worktops.
PRODUCT INFORMATION AND STORAGE
Artis Solid Wood worktops are a natural product made of wood. Wood is a living material and will expand or contract according
to surrounding humidity levels. The higher the surrounding humidity levels, the more it will expand.
The wood used in Artis Solid Wood worktops has been kiln dried to 10% moisture content, which is ideal with humidity levels
of 50-60% and 15-25OC. This is the normal humidity level for a kitchen.
If the worktop is exposed to different moisture levels on the surface and underside, it will start to bow.
If this happens, simply turn the worktop over and allow it to rest, the worktop will become flat again.
When the wood is dried, small air pockets can occur appearing as small cracks on the surface.
This is a natural occurrence and can also happen as a result of changes in temperature or humidity.
Small cracks can be repaired with wood filler. Small cracks are a natural part of solid wood and do not constitute grounds for
complaint.
All solid timber products should be stored flat in a dry place protected against moisture.
FIG. 1
All worksurfaces must be aclimatised for 48 hours in the area where they are to be fitted before
installation. When aclimatising the worksurfaces they should remain in their original packaging
and should be stacked level and flat on bearers so that air can circulate between the worktops.
Do not expose the worktops to major changes in temperature/humidity and be aware of the
surrounding environment during building work. All wet trades should be completed and fully dried
out before installation.
MAINTENANCE
Before installation, the worktop must be treated on all edges and on both surfaces with worktop oil (available from most
DIY/builders merchants). Oiling should be carried out at least twice before installtion, allowing the oil to dry and giving the
worktop a light sanding in between coats, closely following the instructions from the oil manufacturer.
Make sure that all visible end grain is sealed with oil, paying special attention to cut-outs for sinks and hobs.
After a period of use the finish will become worn; the sheen will diminish and the surface will become dull.
Water will not form into droplets as readily, but tend to spread out and wet the surface. This is a clear sign that the worktop
needs re-oiling; in fact it is better to re-oil before the surfaces quite reach this condition. The time taken for wear to occur
depends on the amount of use the surface has had. In any one kitchen there will be high wear and low wear zones; the former
will need more attention than the latter.
The first six weeks after installation are the most important in the life of the worktop. A light oiling twice a week during this
period will ensure long term maintenance of the worktop.
The entire kitchen surface should be re-oiled regularly, at the very least every 3 months.
WARNING: Oily rags can spontaneously combust.
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CLEANING
For daily cleaning, use a mild soap and water on a moistened cloth (do not use concentrated soap). Never use abrasive
cleaners or products which contain ammonia. To clean the worktop more thoroughly, use a scouring pad (not steel wool) with
mild washing-up liquid and re-oil the area. For permanent stains, sand the surface length ways with fine sandpaper and then
re-oil the whole surface.
It is important to wipe up any standing water on the surface and in and around cut-outs as soons as possible. Standing water
over time can damage the worksurface causing blackening, swelling and cracking of the staves.
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE KITS
An installation, care and maintenance kit is available and can be purchased from your supplier.
The installation kit contains:
CUT OUTS
Any cut outs for sinks, hobs etc. must be at least 5mm larger than the underside inner rim of the
appliance This will allow the wood to move.
The hole for taps must be at least 3mm larger in diameter than the water pipe.
When using a jigsaw, always cut from the underside of the worktop.
Important: All cut outs must be thoroughly sealed with 5 coats of oil to prevent moisture damage to
the worktop. All undermount sinks must have at least a 10mm worksurface overhang to all 4 sides of
the cut-out to allow excess moisture to drip. (Not to be used with 11⁄2bowl combinations). The edges
must be treated regularly to prevent the worktop from splitting.
FIG. 2
Make sure that a gap of at least 250mm from appliance cut-out to the end of the worktop, or between
cut-outs remains. Cut-outs for hobs must have aluminium tape applied to the inside edge to reflect as
much heat as possible.
INSTALLATION
FIG. 3
To allow the worktop to move it is very important to leave a 5-10mm expansion gap between the
worktop and the wall, especially when installing U-shaped or angled worktops.
Artis solid wood upstands are also available on request to cover the expansion gap after installation.
FIG. 4
For the worktops to function perfectly it is essential that all kitchen units have been installed correctly
with a spirit level so the upper surfaces are completely level.
FIG. 5
The worktops should be installed with a row of screws each 300-500mm apart. Where cabinets have
open tops use support brackets in between. Drill 10mm holes in the cabinet and use screws with
washers to allow the worktop to move.
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MINIMUM 250MM
MINIMUM 250MM
ALL EDGES MUST
BE EDGE SEALED
MIN.50
MM
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• 230ml bottle Danish Oil
(enough oil for maintenance and re-touching purposes only)
• 10 x fixing bolts for front edge
• 10 x fixing bolts for back edge
• 10 x fixing brackets for middle fixing
• 1 x 3m foil strip for end grain protection against heat
(use around cookers etc)
• 1 x 0.78m x 0.6m foil sheet for under worktop
protection against heat (dishwashers and washing machines etc)
• 1 x disposable sandpaper sponges (for dual sanding and
oil applications)
• 12 x hardboard spacer strips for airflow (positioned under the
worktop)
• 1 sheet of sandpaper
• 75ml silicone sealant (sample of sealant for use around sinks
and joints etc)
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REAL-WOOD INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
ARTIS
real-wood