Measure & Plan

Tools needed for measuring and templating (Photo 1A)

• Measuring tape
• Pen/pencil (a silver marker works well on PaperStone® surface, marks can be removed with acetone or lacquer thinner after cutting) (Photo 1B)
• Material for templating
• Cardboard, drafting paper, plastic sheets or
• 1/8” luan strips or lath
• Hot glue gun with glue (for use with plywood strips or lath)
• Level
• Sink/stove templates (included with sink/stove or available online)
• Straight edge or square

Check cabinet installation

• Make sure cabinets are in place, anchored correctly, clean of any debris and that tops are level (Photo 1C)
• If cabinets are not level, adjust with shims and secure properly

Create drawing of countertops

• Draw the layout of your desired countertops (Photo 1D)
• Measure carefully and include all vital measurements
• Include sink, faucet and stove center points
• Make sure sink, faucet and/or stove will fit into cabinet bases (Photo 1E)

Obtain sink and stove templates

• Templates should be packaged with sink and/or stove, or available online (Photo 1F)

Make countertop template

Template option A

• Create an accurate template of your countertop from drafting paper, cardboard or plastic sheeting
  • place template material on cabinet bases
  • trace perimeter of cabinet bases on the underside of the template material (Photo 1G)
  • make accurate notes/markings for the location and boundaries of the sink cabinet base (Photo 1H)
  • note and explain all overhangs, radius corners, finished edges, etc.
  • scribe template material to wall (if a backspash will be installed over countertop, the fit between the countertop and the wall can be less accurate)
  • flip template material over and complete the tracing of the perimeter and sink/stove cutout areas (include overhangs by measuring from the traced perimeter to the desired overhang and mark with a straight edge)

Template option B

• Create outline template by hot gluing together 1/8” luan strips or lath
  • build an outline of the cabinet bases by laying out strips of luan on the perimeter (Photos, 1I, 1J, and 1K)
  • use plenty of support strips
  • build an outline of all cutouts (sink/stove/etc.)
  • hot glue all joints of template strips so you have one continuous template (Photo 1I)
  • make notes on the strips explaining overhangs, radius corners, finished edges, etc. (Photo 1K)

Order your panels

• Figure out total material requirements and order correct size panel(s)