Systems and methods for installing countertops

Abstract

Countertop assemblies, kits for countertop assemblies, and methods of assembly of countertops including a substrate, a surface material, and an edge profile element removably attached to the lower surface of the substrate, the edge profile element including a first leg portion configured to be secured to the lower surface of the substrate and a second leg portion, extending from the first leg portion, configured to substantially overlay the at least one edge surface of the substrate and the at least one edge surface of the countertop surface material.

1 . A countertop comprising:
 a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface and at least one edge surface;   a countertop surface material having an upper surface and a lower surface and at least one edge surface, the countertop surface material disposed on and substantially coextensively overlaying the upper surface of the substrate such that the at least one edge surface of the countertop surface material is substantially aligned with the at least one edge surface of the substrate; and   an edge profile element removably attached to the lower surface of the substrate, the edge profile element including a first leg portion configured to be secured to the lower surface of the substrate and a second leg portion, extending from the first leg portion, configured to substantially overlay the at least one edge surface of the substrate and the at least one edge surface of the countertop surface material.   
   
   
       2 . The countertop of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one edge surface of the countertop surface material is arranged substantially co-planar with the at least one edge surface of the substrate. 
   
   
       3 . The countertop of  claim 1 , wherein the second leg portion of the edge profile element includes an upper edge configured to engage the countertop surface material along the at least one edge surface of the countertop surface material and proximate to the upper surface of the countertop surface material, substantially along an entire length of the at least one edge surface of the countertop surface material. 
   
   
       4 . The countertop of  claim 3 , wherein the second leg portion of the edge profile element is configured with a body portion that is spaced away from at least the at least one edge surface of the substrate. 
   
   
       5 . The countertop of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one spacer element disposed in the space defined by the body portion of the second leg of the edge profile element. 
   
   
       6 . The countertop of  claim 1 , wherein the edge profile element is secured to the lower surface of the substrate with a fastener. 
   
   
       7 . The countertop of  claim 1 , wherein the edge profile element is fabricated from metal. 
   
   
       8 . The countertop of  claim 7 , wherein the edge profile element comprises a continuous metal band. 
   
   
       9 . The countertop of  claim 7 , wherein the edge profile element includes at least one of mitered edges and die cut edges. 
   
   
       10 . The countertop of  claim 7 , wherein the edge profile element further comprises an outer layer including at least one of a powder coating, a paint coating, and an electroplated coating. 
   
   
       11 . The countertop of  claim 1 , wherein the countertop surface material is fabricated from at least one of tile, stone, ceramic, marble, granite, formica, and plastic. 
   
   
       12 . The countertop of  claim 1 , wherein the edge profile element includes a recess formed therein adapted and configured to accommodate an edge banding mounted therein. 
   
   
       13 . The countertop of  claim 12 , wherein the edge banding is fabricated from at least one of tile, stone, ceramic, marble, granite, formica, and plastic. 
   
   
       14 . The countertop of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one fastener configured to secure the edge profile element to the substrate at least one position along the at least one edge surface of the substrate. 
   
   
       15 . The countertop of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises plywood. 
   
   
       16 . The countertop of  claim 1 , wherein the second leg portion of the edge profile element includes an upper edge configured to apply a pressure against at least a portion of the countertop surface material along the at least one edge surface of the countertop surface material. 
   
   
       17 . The countertop of  claim 1 , wherein the edge profile element is configured to engage another edge profile element at adjacent lengthwise ends. 
   
   
       18 . A countertop edging kit comprising:
 a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface and at least one edge surface;   a countertop surface material having an upper surface and a lower surface and at least one edge surface, the countertop surface material being adapted and configured to be disposed on and substantially coextensively overlay the upper surface of the substrate such that the at least one edge of the countertop surface material is substantially aligned with the at least one edge surface of the substrate; and   an edge profile element including a first leg portion configured to be secured to the lower surface of the substrate and a second leg portion, extending from the first leg portion, configured to substantially overlay the at least one edge surface of the substrate and the at least one edge surface of the countertop surface material.   
   
   
       19 . The countertop edging kit of  claim 18 , wherein the substrate comprises plywood. 
   
   
       20 . The countertop edging kit of  claim 19 , wherein the substrate comprises plywood with a thickness of about 0.75 inches. 
   
   
       21 . The countertop edging kit of  claim 18 , wherein the countertop surface material is fabricated from at least one of tile, stone, ceramic, marble, granite, formica, and plastic. 
   
   
       22 . The countertop edging kit of  claim 18 , further comprising instructions for assembling the kit. 
   
   
       23 . The countertop edging kit of  claim 18 , further comprising an adhesive material. 
   
   
       24 . A countertop edging kit comprising:
 an edge profile element including a first leg portion configured to be secured to a lower surface of a substrate and a second leg portion, extending from the first leg portion, configured to substantially overlay at least one edge surface of the substrate; and   instructions for mounting the edge profile element onto a countertop assembly.   
   
   
       25 . The countertop edging kit of  claim 24 , further comprising fasteners. 
   
   
       26 . A method of constructing a countertop comprising:
 providing a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface and at least one edge surface;   disposing a countertop surface material having an upper surface and a lower surface and at least one edge surface on the upper surface of the substrate, the countertop surface material substantially coextensively overlaying the substrate and such that at least one edge surface of the countertop surface material is substantially aligned with the at least one edge surface of the substrate; and   securing an edge profile element to the lower surface of the substrate.   
   
   
       27 . The method of constructing a countertop of  claim 26 , wherein securing the edge profile element to the lower surface of the substrate includes using fasteners capable of being removed from the substrate.