Copyright 2014 AIAMasterSpec Premium09/14

PRODUCT MASTERSPEC LICENSED BY ARCOM TO AFFINITY SURFACES, A BRAND OF DOMAIN INDUSTRIES, INC.

Copyright 2014 by The American Institute of Architects (AIA)

Exclusively published and distributed by Architectural Computer Services, Inc. (ARCOM) for the AIA

This Product MasterSpec Section is licensed by ARCOM to Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc. ("Licensee").

This Product MasterSpec Section modifies the original MasterSpec text, and does not include the full content of the original MasterSpec Section.

Revisions made to the original MasterSpec text are made solely by the Licensee and are not endorsed by, or representative of the opinions of, ARCOM or The American Institute of Architects (AIA). Neither AIA nor ARCOM are liable in any way for such revisions or for the use of this Product MasterSpec Section by any end user. A qualified design professional should review and edit the document to suit project requirements.

For more information, contact Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc., P.O. Box 17066, Austin, TX 78760; Phone: (866) 385-7775; Fax: (866) 385-5400; Website: Email: .

For information about MasterSpec contact ARCOM at (800) 424-5080 or visit

SECTION 123661.16 - SOLID SURFACING COUNTERTOPS

TIPS:

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To read detailed research, technical information about products and materials, and coordination checklists, click on Masterworks/Supporting Information.

Revise this Section by deleting and inserting text to meet Project-specific requirements.

This Section uses the term "Architect." Change this term to match that used to identify the design professional as defined in the General and Supplementary Conditions.

Verify that Section titles referenced in this Section are correct for this Project's Specifications; Section titles may have changed.

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1RELATED DOCUMENTS

Retain or delete this article in all Sections of Project Manual.

  1. Drawings and general provisions of the Contract, including General and Supplementary Conditions and Division01 Specification Sections, apply to this Section.

1.2SUMMARY

  1. Section Includes:
  2. Solid surface material countertops.
  3. Solid surface material backsplashes.
  4. Solid surface material end splashes.
  5. Related Requirements:

Retain subparagraph below to cross-reference requirements Contractor might expect to find in this Section but are specified in other Sections.

  1. Section224100 "Residential Plumbing Fixtures" for [non-integral sinks] [sinks] [and] [plumbing fittings].

1.3ACTION SUBMITTALS

  1. Product Data: For countertop materials.
  2. Sustainable Design Submittals:
  3. Chain-of-Custody Certificates: For certified wood products. Include statement of costs.

"Product Data" Subparagraph below applies to LEED 2009 NC, CI, and CS; LEEDv4; IgCC; ASHRAE189.1; and Green Globes. Coordinate with requirements for adhesives.

  1. Product Data: For adhesives, indicating VOC content.

"Laboratory Test Reports" Subparagraph below applies to LEED 2009 for Schools, LEEDv4, IgCC, ASHRAE189.1, and Green Globes. Coordinate with requirements for adhesives.

  1. Laboratory Test Reports: For adhesives, indicating compliance with requirements for low-emitting materials.

"Product Data" Subparagraph below applies to LEED 2009 NC, CI, and CSCreditIEQ4.4.

  1. Product Data: For composite wood products, indicating that product contains no urea formaldehyde.

"Laboratory Test Reports" Subparagraph below applies to LEED 2009 for Schools.

  1. Laboratory Test Reports: For composite wood products, indicating compliance with requirements for low-emitting materials.
  1. Shop Drawings: For countertops. Show materials, finishes, edge and backsplash profiles, methods of joining, and cutouts for plumbing fixtures.
  2. Show locations and details of joints.

Retain subparagraph below when specifying Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc.; MAJESTIC Collection material.

  1. Show direction of directional pattern, if any.
  1. Samples for Initial Selection: For each type of material exposed to view.

Delete "Samples for Initial Selection" Paragraph above if colors and other characteristics are preselected and specified or scheduled. Retain "Samples for Verification" Paragraph below with or without paragraph above.

  1. Samples for Verification: For the following products:
  2. Countertop material, 4 inches (100 mm) square.
  3. One full-size solid surface material countertop, with front edge[and backsplash], 8 by 10 inches (200 by 250 mm), of construction and in configuration specified.

1.4INFORMATIONAL SUBMITTALS

Coordinate "Qualification Data" Paragraph below with qualification requirements in Section014000 "Quality Requirements" and as may be supplemented in "Quality Assurance" Article.

  1. Qualification Data: For fabricator.

1.5CLOSEOUT SUBMITTALS

Refer to for maintenance data for materials from Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc.

  1. Maintenance Data: For solid surface material countertops to include in maintenance manuals. Include Product Data for care products used or recommended by Installer and names, addresses, and telephone numbers of local sources for products.

1.6QUALITY ASSURANCE

Retain "Fabricator Qualifications" Paragraph below if required by Project size, fabrication, or installation details.

  1. Fabricator Qualifications: Shop that employs skilled workers who custom-fabricate countertops similar to that required for this Project, and whose products have a record of successful in-service performance.
  2. Installer Qualifications: Fabricator of countertops.

A mockup may be a reasonable precaution for projects that require many solid surface material countertops, but it may be impractical for other applications.

  1. Mockups: Build mockups to demonstrate aesthetic effects and to set quality standards for fabrication and execution.

Indicate portion of countertop represented by mockup on Drawings or draw mockup as separate element.

  1. Build mockup of typical countertop as shown on Drawings.

Retain subparagraph below if the intention is to make an exception to the default requirement in Section014000 "Quality Requirements" for demolishing and removing mockups.

  1. Subject to compliance with requirements, approved mockups may become part of the completed Work if undisturbed at time of Substantial Completion.

1.7FIELD CONDITIONS

  1. Field Measurements: Verify dimensions of countertops by field measurements[after base cabinets are installed but] before countertop fabrication is complete.

1.8COORDINATION

  1. Coordinate locations of utilities that will penetrate countertops or backsplashes.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

Manufacturers and products listed in SpecAgent and Masterworks Paragraph Builder are neither recommended nor endorsed by the AIA or ARCOM. Before inserting names, verify that manufacturers and products listed there comply with requirements retained or revised in descriptions and are both available and suitable for the intended applications. For definitions of terms and requirements for Contractor's product selection, see Section016000 "Product Requirements."

2.1MANUFACTURERS

  1. Source Limitations: Obtain solid surface material from single source from single manufacturer.

2.2SOLID SURFACE COUNTERTOP MATERIALS

Refer to for applications of Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc. materials other than for countertops.

Retain one or more of three "Solid Surface Material" Paragraphs below to suit Project requirements.

  1. Solid Surface Material: Homogeneous-filled plastic resin complying with ICPASS-1.
  2. Basis-of-Design Product: Subject to compliance with requirements, provide Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc.; ESSENTIALS Collection or comparable product by one of the following:
  3. Avonite Surfaces.
  4. E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.
  5. Samsung Chemical USA, Inc.
  6. Insert manufacturer's name>.
  7. Collection Description
  8. Material: Acrylic and polyester blend.

First option in "Sheet Dimensions" subparagraph below is standard sheet size for Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc.

  1. Sheet Dimensions; [30 inches by 120 inches by 1/2 inch thick(762 mm by 3048 mm by 12.7 mm thick)] [36 inches by 98 inches by 1/4 inch thick(914.4 mm by 2489.2 mm by 6.35 mm thick)]Insert custom size>.

Refer to Color Chart on Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries website for manufacturer's color options. collection=149

  1. Colors and Patterns: As indicated by manufacturer's designations.
  1. Solid Surface Material: Homogeneous-filled plastic resin complying with ICPASS-1.
  2. Basis-of-Design Product: Subject to compliance with requirements, provide Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc.; SURREAL Collection or comparable product by one of the following:
  3. Avonite Surfaces.
  4. E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.
  5. Samsung Chemical USA, Inc.
  6. Insert manufacturer's name>.
  7. Collection Description
  8. Material: Acrylic and polyester blend.

First option in "Sheet Dimensions" subparagraph below is standard sheet size for Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc.

  1. Sheet Dimensions; [30 inches by 120 inches by 1/2 inch thick(762 mm by 3048 mm by 12.7 mm thick)]Insert custom size>.

Refer to Color Chart on Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries website for manufacturer's color options.

  1. Colors and Patterns: As indicated by manufacturer's designations.
  1. Solid Surface Material: Homogeneous-filled plastic resin complying with ICPASS-1.
  2. Basis-of-Design Product: Subject to compliance with requirements, provide Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc.; MAJESTIC Collection or comparable product by one of the following:
  3. Avonite Surfaces.
  4. E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.
  5. Samsung Chemical USA, Inc.
  6. Insert manufacturer's name>.
  7. Collection Description
  8. Material: Acrylic.

First option in "Sheet Dimensions" subparagraph below is standard sheet size for Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc.

  1. Sheet Dimensions; [30 inches by 120 inches by 1/2 inch thick(762 mm by 3657.6 mm by 12.7 mm thick)]Insert custom size>.

Refer to Color Chart on Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries website for manufacturer's color options.

  1. Colors and Patterns: As indicated by manufacturer's designations.

"Composite Wood Products" Paragraph below applies to LEED 2009 NC, CI, and CSCreditIEQ4.4.

  1. Composite Wood Products: Products shall be made without urea formaldehyde.

"Composite Wood Products" Paragraph below applies to LEED 2009 for SchoolsCreditIEQ4.4.

  1. Composite Wood Products: Products shall comply with the testing and product requirements of the California Department of Public Health's "Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers."

Retain "Particleboard" or "Plywood" Paragraph below if 1/4-inch- (6.4-mm-) thick, solid surface material is specified or if subtops are required.

  1. Particleboard: ANSIA208.1, [GradeM-2] [GradeM-2-Exterior Glue].
  2. Plywood: Exterior softwood plywood complying with DOCPS1, GradeC-C Plugged, touch sanded.

2.3COUNTERTOP FABRICATION

  1. Fabricate countertops according to solid surface material manufacturer's written instructions and to the AWI/AWMAC/WI's "Architectural Woodwork Standards."
  2. Grade: [Premium] [Custom] [Economy].

Delete "Configuration" Paragraph below if countertop is indicated on Drawings.

  1. Configuration:

Retain one front and one backsplash style in first two subparagraphs below or revise to suit Project.

  1. Front: [Straight, slightly eased at top] [Beveled] [3/4-inch (19-mm)bullnose] [Radius edge with apron, 2 inches (50 mm) high with 3/8-inch (9.5-mm) radius] [1-1/2-inch (38-mm) laminated bullnose] [1-inch (25-mm) laminated bullnose] [Straight, slightly eased at top with separate apron, 6 inches (150 mm) high, recessed 1/4-inch (6.4-mm) behind front edge] <Insert style>.
  2. Backsplash: [Straight, slightly eased at corner] [Beveled] [Radius edge with 3/8-inch (9.5-mm) radius] <Insert style>.
  3. End Splash: [Matching backsplash] [None].

Retain one of two "Countertops" paragraphs below and revise to suit Project. 1/4-inch (6.4 mm) thick, solid surface material is only available in the ESSENTIALS Collection.

  1. Countertops: 1/2-inch- (12.7-mm-) thick, solid surface material[with wood-trimmed edges] [with front edge built up with same material].
  2. Countertops: 1/4-inch- (6.4-mm-) thick, solid surface material laminated to 3/4-inch- (19-mm-) thick particleboard with exposed edges faced with 1/4-inch- (6.4-mm-) thick, solid surface material.
  3. Backsplashes: 1/2-inch- (12.7-mm-)thick, solid surface material[with wood-trimmed edges].
  4. Fabricate tops with shop-applied edges[and backsplashes] unless otherwise indicated. Comply with solid surface material manufacturer's written instructions for adhesives, sealers, fabrication, and finishing.

Delete option in last paragraph above or delete first subparagraph below; delete both for Contractor's option.

  1. Fabricate with loose backsplashes for field assembly.

Retain one of two "Joints" paragraphs below. First paragraph is impossible with very large or complex countertops. If retaining second paragraph and option, indicate joint locations on Drawings.

  1. Joints: Fabricate countertops without joints.
  2. Joints: Fabricate countertops in sections for joining in field[,with joints at locations indicated].

Consider retaining "Joint Locations" Subparagraph below if joint locations are not indicated on Drawings.

  1. Joint Locations: Not within 18 inches (450 mm) of a sink or cooktop and not where a countertop section less than 36 inches (900 mm) long would result, unless unavoidable.

Consider retaining "Splined Joints" Subparagraph below for higher-quality work. Metal splines may be an unnecessary expense at typical joints but may be advantageous if using narrow strips of solid surface material between joints to form large openings for kitchen sinks, cooktops, and so forth.

  1. Splined Joints: Accurately cut kerfs in edges at joints for insertion of metal splines to maintain alignment of surfaces at joints[where indicated]. Make width of cuts slightly more than thickness of splines to provide snug fit.[Provide at least three splines in each joint.]
  1. Cutouts and Holes:

Retain "Undercounter Plumbing Fixtures" Subparagraph below for undercounter lavatories and sinks. Shop fabrication usually provides better results, but large openings, such as for kitchen sinks, are better completed after top is in place to avoid possibility of breakage during delivery or installation.

  1. Undercounter Plumbing Fixtures: Make cutouts for fixtures[in shop] using template or pattern furnished by fixture manufacturer. Form cutouts to smooth, even curves.

Retain one of first three subparagraphs below to describe profile of cutout edges or indicate on Drawings.

  1. Provide vertical edges, slightly eased at juncture of cutout edges with top and bottom surfaces of countertop and projecting 3/16 inch (5 mm) into fixture opening.
  2. Provide vertical edges, rounded to 3/8-inch (10-mm) radius at juncture of cutout edges with top surface of countertop, slightly eased at bottom, and projecting 3/16 inch (5 mm) into fixture opening.
  3. Provide 3/4-inch (20-mm) full bullnose edges projecting 3/8 inch (10 mm) into fixture opening.

Retain "Counter-Mounted Plumbing Fixtures" Subparagraph below for counter-mounted lavatories, sinks, and so forth. Shop fabrication usually provides better results, but large openings, such as for kitchen sinks, are better completed after top is in place to avoid possibility of breakage during delivery or installation.

  1. Counter-Mounted Plumbing Fixtures: Prepare countertops in shop for field cutting openings for counter-mounted fixtures. Mark tops for cutouts and drill holes at corners of cutout locations. Make corner holes of largest radius practical.

Retain "Fittings" Subparagraph below if using deck-mounted fittings or soap dispensers.

  1. Fittings: Drill countertops in shop for plumbing fittings, undercounter soap dispensers, and similar items.
  2. Counter-Mounted Cooktops: Prepare countertops in shop for field cutting openings for cooktops. Mark tops for cutouts and drill holes at corners of cutout locations. Make corner holes of largest radius practical.

2.4INSTALLATION MATERIALS

Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc. recommends Glueboss; SeamPro Color-Matched adhesive for use with Affinity solid surface materials.

  1. Adhesive: Product recommended by solid surface material manufacturer.

Subparagraph below applies to LEED 2009 NC, CI, and CS; LEEDv4; IgCC; ASHRAE189.1; and Green Globes. VOC content limit is that for multipurpose construction adhesives.

  1. Adhesives shall have a VOC content of [70] <Insert valueg/L or less.

Subparagraph below applies to LEED 2009 for SchoolsCreditIEQ4.1.

  1. Adhesive shall comply with the testing and product requirements of the California Department of Public Health's "Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers."

Sealant may be required for joints at walls. If retaining "Sealant for Countertops" Paragraph below, coordinate with Section079200 "Joint Sealants." Affinity Surfaces, a brand of Domain Industries, Inc. recommends Volcanic; Color-Matched Silicone for use with Affinity solid surface materials.

  1. Sealant for Countertops: Comply with applicable requirements in Section079200 "Joint Sealants."

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1EXAMINATION

Coordinate conditions required by Work of this Section with requirements in other Sections in which substrates are specified.

  1. Examine substrates to receive solid surface material countertops and conditions under which countertops will be installed, with Installer present, for compliance with requirements for installation tolerances and other conditions affecting performance of countertops.
  2. Proceed with installation only after unsatisfactory conditions have been corrected.

3.2INSTALLATION

  1. Install countertops level to a tolerance of 1/8 inch in 8 feet (3 mm in 2.4m), 1/4 inch (6 mm) maximum. Do not exceed 1/64-inch (0.4-mm) difference between planes of adjacent units.

Retain first paragraph below if solid surface countertop is fastened directly to cabinets or other supports.

  1. Fasten countertops by screwing through corner blocks of base units into underside of countertop. Predrill holes for screws as recommended by manufacturer. Align adjacent surfaces and, using adhesive in color to match countertop, form seams to comply with manufacturer's written instructions. Carefully dress joints smooth, remove surface scratches, and clean entire surface.

Retain first two paragraphs below if solid surface countertop is installed over a plywood or particleboard subtop.

  1. Fasten subtops to cabinets by screwing through subtops into cornerblocks of base cabinets. Shim as needed to align subtops in a level plane.
  2. Secure countertops to subtops with adhesive according to solid surface material manufacturer's written instructions. Align adjacent surfaces and, using adhesive in color to match countertop, form seams to comply with manufacturer's written instructions. Carefully dress joints smooth, remove surface scratches, and clean entire surface.

Retain first paragraph below unless joints are not allowed.

  1. Bond joints with adhesive and draw tight as countertops are set. Mask areas of countertops adjacent to joints to prevent adhesive smears.

Consider retaining one of two subparagraphs below, or both. Metal splines may be an unnecessary expense at typical joints but may be advantageous if using narrow strips of solid surface material between joints to form large openings for kitchen sinks, cooktops, and so forth.

  1. Install metal splines in kerfs in countertop edges at joints[where indicated]. Fill kerfs with adhesive before inserting splines and remove excess immediately after adjoining units are drawn into position.
  2. Clamp units to temporary bracing, supports, or each other to ensure that countertops are properly aligned and joints are of specified width.
  1. Install backsplashes and end splashes by adhering to wall and countertops with adhesive. Mask areas of countertops and splashes adjacent to joints to prevent adhesive smears.
  2. Complete cutouts not finished in shop. Mask areas of countertops adjacent to cutouts to prevent damage while cutting. Make cutouts to accurately fit items to be installed, and at right angles to finished surfaces unless beveling is required for clearance. Ease edges slightly to prevent snipping.

Usually retain subparagraph below for countertops containing sinks if particleboard subtops are specified and exterior-glue particleboard is not specified.