Dear James: I'm planning to remodel my kitchen to create more countertop workspace, and I think an island would help. What are some general DIY island-building tips? — Peggy C.
Dear Peggy: Having an island countertop is very convenient and timesaving, particularly if you like to do some serious cooking. Just think how many times you carry items from the range to the sink countertop and back. The island countertop will shorten the path and provide more overall workspace.
You will gain storage area in drawers and cabinets below the island in addition to the additional countertop space. You may consider installing a two-element electric cooktop in the countertop that takes up little space. This will require running a 220-volt line to the island.
Another option is a mini freestanding induction cooking element. You place it on top of the countertop to use it and store it away in the cabinets below when not in use. Induction elements provide the precise heat control of cooking with gas without the complicated installation.
Go to a kitchen center store and pick out two kitchen cabinets that will fit side by side in your open area. Unfinished oak cabinets are an excellent choice. They are strong, reasonably priced and readily available. You will probably want to cover the sides and backs of the cabinets with paneling to match your new kitchen decor.
For convenient access to the cabinets below, reverse the hinge location on one of the cabinets so they both open from the center. Measure carefully when you drill the new hinge holes. If they are off just a little, it will be very apparent when the cabinet doors are closed.
Using a circular saw or a handsaw, cut the inside flanges off the countertops so the inner sides of the cabinets fit flush together. Save one of the flanges you saw off. You will attach it to the cabinets to cover the seam between them.
Making sure the cabinets are level, spread construction adhesive on the inner sides of them and push them together. Use 1-inch-long wood screws inside the cabinets to secure them together. Don't rely on the adhesive alone to hold them permanently together.
Cut the pieces of paneling to fit the sides and the back of the island. Even though you will be adding molding at the top, bottom and corners of the paneling, still try to cut it as accurately as possible. It is all too easy to become careless and then be so far off that the molding will not cover the edge completely. Mitering the base molding will make a more professional-looking job.
The final step is to add the countertop. This procedure will depend somewhat on the type of countertop material you selected. For most standard countertops with a wood backing, glue it with more construction adhesive to the tops of the two cabinets. Run screws from inside the cabinets through the corner supports into the underside of the countertop.
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