571-323-3636
ANSI/AWI 1236-2022 - Countertops
3.4 Aesthetic
a) Aesthetic performance, in relation to this standard, refers to and is an evaluation of surfaces that will be exposed following installation.
b) The three levels of aesthetic performance are Premium, Custom, and Economy:
| Premium Grade | Custom Grade | Economy Grade |
| The aesthetic grade defining the highest degree of control over materials, workmanship, and manufacture | The aesthetic grade defining a high degree of control over materials, workmanship, and manufacture | The aesthetic grade defining the minimum degree of control over materials, workmanship, and manufacture |
c) Surface category terminology examples may be found in Supplemental Information herein.
d) Material, pattern, and color shall be as specified and, if not specified, shall be at the option of the /supplier.
e) Coordination of horizontal reveals between the countertop’s bottom edge and overlay doors, drawer fronts, and false fronts is the responsibility of the countertop manufacturer/supplier.
f) If detail is not provided, horizontal reveals between the countertop’s bottom edge and overlay doors, drawer fronts, and false fronts shall be 6.4 mm [.250”] (± 3.2 mm [.125”]), with the exception of laboratory casework, which shall be 6.4 mm [.250”] to 25.4 mm [1”] (± 3.2 mm [.125”]), and shall be consistent across elevations. (See Figure 43)
g) At exposed surfaces, exposed core or exposed subtop is not permitted.
h) and/or patterned surfacing shall run parallel to the front edge in any given elevation.
i) Exposed fasteners are not permitted, except at access panels.
j) Repairs shall be inconspicuous.
k) Unless otherwise indicated within this standard, flatness of installed sheet products
shall not exceed the following per linear 305 mm [12”] (See Figure 5, E identification of deviation):
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.2 mm [.047”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] |
l) Joint filler (putty) shall be inconspicuous.
3.4.1 Assembly
a) Filler material shall be furnished by the countertop manufacturer/supplier.
b) Cut-outs shall be within ± 3.2 mm [.125″] for locations and +3.2 mm to 0 mm [.125″ to 0″] for size.
c) Finished Product squareness shall be within ±.4 mm [.016″] for each 305 mm [12″].
d) shall be provided.
e) At work surfaces less than or equal to 2438 mm [96”] in length:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| Joints in the top surface material are not permitted | Joints in the top surface material are not permitted | No requirement |
f) At work surfaces greater than 2438 mm [96″] in length which require more than one piece of top surface material jointed together:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| One is permitted in lengths up to 4877 mm [192”]. One additional joint allowance is permitted per additional length rounded up to 2438 mm [96”]. At lengths where more than two joints are permitted, joints shall be a minimum of 1219 mm [48”] apart. | One joint is permitted in lengths up to 4877 mm [192”]. One additional joint allowance is permitted per additional length rounded up to 2438 mm [96”]. At lengths where more than two joints are permitted, joints shall be a minimum of 1219 mm [48”] apart. | No requirement |
| Be pre-matched to minimize color variation within the scope of the manufacturer/supplier’s samples. | Be pre-matched to minimize color variation within the scope of the manufacturer/supplier’s samples. | No requirement |
g) Joints in linear-patterned countertop surfaces with directional changes shall be per sheet material manufacturer’s recommendations.
h) Backsplashes are required only when specified.
i) End splashes are required only when specified.
3.4.2 Tolerances
3.4.2.1 Machining, Exposed Surfaces
a) Machining rules for exposed surfaces shall comply with smoothness requirements.
b) Sharp edges shall be eased.
c) Flat wood surfaces which can be sanded require a minimum of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| 150 grit sanding | 120 grit sanding | 15 or 100 grit sanding |
d) Profiled and shaped wood surfaces require a minimum of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| 120 grit sanding | 20 KMPI or 120 grit sanding | 15 KMPI or 100 grit sanding |
e) Visible sanding marks, excluding turned surfaces, shall be inconspicuous.
f) Tear out, nicks, and/or hit and miss machining is not permitted.
g) Glue or joint filler (putty), when used, shall be inconspicuous and match the surface for smoothness.
3.4.2.2 Machining of Applied Edges
a) Edges shall be machined flush and filed, sanded, or buffed to remove machine marks and sharp edges.
b) Overlap (See Figure 23, F) shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| .1 mm [.004”] for a maximum length of 25.4 mm [1”] in any 1219 mm [48”] run | .1 mm [.004”] for a maximum length of 25.4 mm [1”] in any 610 mm [24”] run | .1 mm [.004”] for a maximum length of 50.8 mm [2”] in any 305 mm [12”] run |
c) Chip out (See Figure 24, G) shall be inconspicuous when viewed at:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| 610 mm [24″] | 1219 mm [48″] | 1829 mm [72″] |
d) Over-machined (See Figure 25, H) removal of color or pattern of face material shall be limited to:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| .8 mm x 38.1 mm [.031” x 1.500”] and shall not occur within 1829 mm [72”] of a similar occurrence | .8 mm x 76.2 mm [.031” x 3”] and shall not occur within 1524 mm [60”] of a similar occurrence | 2.4 mm x 152.4 mm [.094” x 6”] and shall not occur within 1219 mm [48”] of a similar occurrence |
3.4.3 Edges
a) Profile shall be at the option of the manufacturer/supplier.
b) When a drip is specified without dimension, a groove measuring 3.2 mm x 3.2 mm [.125” x .125”] shall be provided 9.5 mm [.375”] (± 3.2 mm [.125”]) back from the front edge. (See Figure 111)
c) Application sequence shall be the manufacturer/supplier’s choice, except at decorative laminate.
d) The maximum number of edge joints shall be equal to or less than the number of joints in top surface material per countertop elevation. At lengths where more than two edge joints are permitted, seams shall be a minimum of 1219 mm [48”] apart.
3.4.4 Joints
a) Joints in Product shall be assembled to meet the tolerances defined within this standard and be securely attached, with residue removed from exposed surfaces.
b) Flushness variations in exposed surfaces, when mitered or butted (See Figure 47, D), shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| .3 mm [.012″] | .4 mm [.016″] | .6 mm [.025″] |
c) Gaps in exposed surfaces, when mitered or butted (See Figure 48, A), shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| .3 mm [.012”] wide by 20% of the joint length | .4 mm [.016”] wide by 20% of the joint length | .6 mm [.025”] wide by 20% of the joint length |
d) Gaps in exposed surfaces between parallel components (See Figure 48, B) shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| .3 mm x 101.6 mm [.012” x 4”] and shall not occur within 1829 mm [72”] of a similar gap in the same joint | .4 mm x 152.4 mm [.016” x 6”] and shall not occur within 1524 mm [60”] of a similar gap in the same joint | .6 mm x 229 mm [.025″ x 9″] and shall not occur within 1219 mm [48″] of a similar gap in the same joint |
e) Gaps in exposed surface joints, when mitered or butted (See Figure 48, C), shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| .3 mm [.012″] | .4 mm [.016″] | .6 mm [.025″] |
f) Sheet and laminated lumber panels shall be permitted to move, float, expand, and/or contract in reaction to ambient changes.
3.4.5 Opaque Finish
a) MDF is permitted.
b) Finger joints in solid wood are permitted, except at exposed solid wood edges.
c) species shall be closed-grain conforming to a minimum of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| ANSI/ HP-1 (latest edition) Grade B | ANSI/HPVA HP-1 (latest edition) Grade C | ANSI/HPVA HP-1 (latest edition) Grade D |
3.4.6 Transparent Finish, Veneer and Solid Wood
a) Wood shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| Of one species for the entire project | Of one species for the entire project | Same or mixed species at the option of the manufacturer/supplier |
b) Veneer species of manufacturer/supplier’s choice shall be conforming to a minimum of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| ANSI/ HP-1 (latest edition) Grade AA | ANSI/HPVA HP-1 (latest edition) Grade A | ANSI/HPVA HP-1 (latest edition) Grade B |
c) Veneer slicing shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| Plain sliced, rotary permitted for birch | Plain sliced, rotary permitted for birch | At the option of the manufacturer/supplier |
d) Matching of adjacent leaves shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| Book matched | Book matched | At the option of the manufacturer/supplier |
e) Matching within panel face shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| Balance match | Running match |
f) Matching between s shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| At the option of the manufacturer/supplier |
g) End match, blueprint, and sequencing required only if specified.
h) Veneer and lumber adjacent to each other shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| Same species, compatible for color | Same species, compatible for color | Same or mixed species at the option of the manufacturer/supplier |
i) Exposed edges and reveals shall:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| Match the species of the panel face | Match the species of the panel face | Be at the option of the manufacturer/supplier |
| Be | Be compatible for color and grain | Be at the option of the manufacturer/supplier |
| Be a minimum thickness of .5 mm [.020″] that precludes show-through of core | Be a minimum nominal thickness of .5 mm [.020″] that precludes show-through of core | Preclude show-through of core |
j) are not permitted where sanding is required.
k) Sharp edges shall be eased.
l) Tear out, nicks, and/or hit and miss machining is not permitted.
m) Built-up components shall be of the same core material as the countertop core.
n) Curved front edges shall be solid or laminated at the option of the manufacturer/supplier.
o) Applied mouldings shall be securely attached by:
3.4.7 Decorative Laminate
a)Material, pattern, and color shall be the manufacturer/supplier’s choice of one color or pattern per room, with a maximum of five different colors or patterns per project.
b)Edges shall be PVC or , a minimum of 1 mm [.039”] thick, or . PVC and ABS shall be well-matched to the work surface.
c)A splash shall be a minimum height of 101.6 mm [4”] above the work surface, of assembly type 1 or 2.
d)Front edge shall be built-up, miter-fold, or solid core, and a minimum of 28.6 mm [1.125”] thick.
e)HPDL self-edge shall be applied:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| Before work surface laminate | Before or after work surface laminate | Before or after work surface laminate |
f)Application of finished cap ends after work surface laminate is permitted at post-formed countertops.
g)Joints in work surfaces with wood-grained or patterned laminate shall be mitered at directional changes (See Figure 112).
3.4.8 Solid Surface
a) A splash shall be a minimum height of 76.2 mm [3”] above the work surface.
b) A coved splash is required only when specified.
c) Edge shall be a minimum height of 24 mm [.945”].
d) Exposed surfaces shall be flush when mitered or butted (See Figure 47, D).
e) Exposed surfaces shall be gap free when mitered or butted (See Figure 48, ABC).
f) Joints in linear-patterned countertop surfaces with directional changes shall be per sheet material manufacturer’s recommendations.
g) Finish at exposed surfaces/edges shall be the manufacturer/supplier’s standard matte sheen.
3.4.9 Epoxy Resin
a) Exposed edges shall be smooth and finished to be compatible with the work surface.
b) Lipped countertops shall be raised a minimum of 4.8 mm [.189”] above the work surface.
c) Flushness or variations in exposed surfaces, when mitered or butted (See Figure 47, D), shall not exceed .8 mm [.031”].
d) Width of seams in exposed surfaces, when mitered or butted (See Figure 48, ABC), shall be per the manufacturer/supplier’s recommendation and shall be filled as recommended.
e) Flatness (See Figure 5, E) shall be within ± 1.6 mm [.063”] for each 914 mm [36”] span.
f) Backsplashes shall be separate and butt joined.
3.4.10 Natural/Engineered Stone
a) Product shall have a minimum nominal thickness of 2 cm [.787”] and be manufacturer/supplier’s choice of distributor, color, and finish.
b) Exposed edges shall be a compatible finish with the work surface.
c) Flushness or lippage variations in exposed surfaces, when mitered or butted (See Figure 47, D), shall not exceed .8 mm [.031”] at the center of the joint.
d) Gaps in exposed surfaces, when mitered or butted (See Figure 48, A), shall not exceed .4 mm [.016”] wide by 20% of the joint length.
e) Gaps in exposed surfaces of parallel components (See Figure 48, B) shall not exceed .4 mm [.016”] x 76.2 mm [3”], and shall not occur within 305 mm [12”] of a similar gap.
f) Gaps in exposed surfaces, when mitered or butted (See Figure 48, C), shall not exceed .4 mm [.016”].
g) Thickness of the material used throughout a project shall not vary in excess of 3.2 mm [.125”].
h) Flatness (See Figure 5, E) shall be held within ± 1.6 mm [.063”] for each 1219 mm [48”] span.
i) Backsplashes shall be separate and butt joined.
j) Front edge thickness shall be at the option of the manufacturer/supplier.
3.4.11 Wood
3.4.11.1 Solid Wood
a) Solid stock when applied as an exposed edge, finger joints are:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| Not permitted | Not permitted | Permitted |
b) Joints in transparent finished work surfaces with directional changes shall be mitered (See Figure 112).
c) Front edge thickness shall be at the option of the manufacturer/supplier.
3.4.11.2 Veneered Wood
a) Solid stock when applied as an exposed edge, finger joints are:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
| Not permitted | Not permitted | Permitted |
b) Finger joints in veneer tape used as edgebanding are permitted.
c) Joints in transparent finished work surfaces with directional changes shall be mitered (See Figure 112).
3.4.12 Solid Phenolic
a) Front edge thickness shall be at the option of the manufacturer/supplier.
b) Flatness (See Figure 5, E) shall be within ± 1.6 mm [.063”] for each 914 mm [36”] span.
c) Exposed edges shall be finished in the same manner as the top surface.
d) Lipped countertops shall be raised a minimum of 6.4 mm [.250”] above the work surface. The width of the raised area shall be determined by the manufacturer/supplier.
e) Backsplashes shall be separate, flat-butted.