We had been planning on replacing the flourescent yellow plastic tiles on the backsplash with beadboard wainscoting. Seeing how this is only a short-term renovation, we decided to just use the wainscoting plywood (which I’m normally not a fan of) since it would be quick and easy. In measuring the one side of the sink, getting ready to cut the wainscoting, I realized that I needed a new two-gang electrical box. I had a few, but they were all for new construction, which basically would require putting a large hole in the wall. So, I needed to run to our favorite home improvement warehouse to pick one up that was designed for instialling in an existing wall.
Going past the new countertop (which was sitting on the front porch), I happened to think that we never bothered measuring it to double-check the depth. You can probably already guess where this is going. Upon measuring the countertop, then measuring the lower cabinets, then re-measuring the countertop and re-measuring the cabinets, I discovered that the countertop was only 24.5 inches and our cabinets were 26 inches (plus you need some overhang). I ran out back and measured the old countertop to make sure – it was only 26 inches, but gained an extra .5 inch from the extra layer of drywall and plastic tile. So, we needed a countertop that was 26.5 inches deep.
We loaded up the countertop we had just bought the day before and took it back to Lowes. Not exactly an easy thing with a 10 foot long countertop. We headed over to Home Depot and I talked to the guy in the Kitchen section about it. Their in-stock countertops were 25.5″ which would still put us an inch short. After talking about it for a while, we decided the only viable solution was to build the wall/backsplash out an inch.
We bought a new countertop from HD and then nailed firring strips up on the wall and used real beadboard wainscoting which brought us out an inch from the wall. We tested the new countertop and it fits and looks great.
In the midst of all that, we got home and realized that I forgot to buy the double-gang electrical box that I was going for in the first place!
So, now we just need to finish up the electrical so that the rest of the wainscoting can go up and get painted, then the countertop will go in and we can cut the hole and install the sink.
HAPPY BRITHDAY DANIELLE!
havent talked to yous guys in while
so im hoping everything is going good on ur end of the world
just wanted to say hi and happy bday
so stay safe, have fun and rock on
love Josh
p.s. say hi to olemolo and shawn for me!
Wait. So you didn’t wind up using the sleazoid beadboard panelling that I succumbed to? Or you did? Kind of got lost in the countertop width thing.
No, we didn’t end up using the beadboard paneling. We were going to, but needed the extra depth that the real beadboard (tongue and groove) provides. I’m soooo glad that we did, as I don’t like doing something unless it’s done right and there’s SUCH a big difference between the panelling and the real thing. Maybe one of these days I’ll post with photos of each product, along with how we put it up in our bathroom and kitchen – it really doesn’t take much longer than putting up the panelling.
This is the line I loved, “I forgot to buy the double-gang electrical box that I was going for in the first place!”
I once had a cashier look at my list that I set down while writing a check and say, “You didn’t get the 2 ½-inch elbows”. I almost kissed her. Anything that keeps me from another trip to the hardware store is worth a kiss, and possibly a slap in the face.