[mrcysco]

Hi all,

Sorry to create a new thread about this. I've got a thread going already for my in-progress kitchen, but I wanted as many eyes on this question as possible.

I've got a few cover panel questions and I couldn't find the definitive answers by searching. So, Here we go.

Here's my final layout

Question #1
the cover panel on the right side of the double oven cabinet: should the panel cover the entire length of the cabinet so that the counter butts up against it? Or, should the counter go down first so that the cover panel sits on top of the counter? This same issue can be seen on either side of the refrigerator cabinets where tall cabinet meets counter

Question #2
Technically, the dishwasher is at the end of a cabinet run because it is next to a tall cabinet. So, do I need yet another cover panel on the right side of the dishwasher to support the weight of the counter? That whole intersection of dishwasher, counter and tall cabinet has me perplexed.

Question #3
Should the cover panels on the inside of the two tall cabinets that flank the refrigerator go from top to bottom so that they are sandwiched between the tall cabinet and the over-refrigerator cabinet? Or, should they only cover the exposed part?

Here's my ongoing build thread if anyone is interested

Cheers!

Cysco

[RmovingV]

I only have answers for the first two because I didnt fully understand the context of the third

Question #1
the cover panel on the right side of the double oven cabinet: should the panel cover the entire length of the cabinet so that the counter butts up against it? Or, should the counter go down first so that the cover panel sits on top of the counter? This same issue can be seen on either side of the refrigerator cabinets where tall cabinet meets counter

If you have wiggle room in your plan the panel in this case should cover the entire length of the cabinet and be installed when you put the cabinets in and before the counter. If you just cover after you will have a raw edge sitting on your countertop. We forgot to put ours on before we installed the cabinets and have decided to leave it off the tall cabinet, though since we have one I wish we had used it.

Question #2
Technically, the dishwasher is at the end of a cabinet run because it is next to a tall cabinet. So, do I need yet another cover panel on the right side of the dishwasher to support the weight of the counter? That whole intersection of dishwasher, counter and tall cabinet has me perplexed.

You need a cleat to support the counter but not a cover panel just a filler strip. You need to add a cleat to the dishwasher side of the tall cabinet (and possibly to the wall behind the dishwasher) to hold the weight and span of your counter. We did this (attached to a wall not another cabinet) with a piece of 1x2. You then need a piece of filler to cover the space the cleat creates in your cabinet run. you do need to remember to set the cleat back enough to leave room for your filler and make sure it is level and at the right height.

[xueli]

Originally Posted by mrcysco

Question #3
Should the cover panels on the inside of the two tall cabinets that flank the refrigerator go from top to bottom so that they are sandwiched between the tall cabinet and the over-refrigerator cabinet? Or, should they only cover the exposed part?

I think that usually people cover the entire side of the cabinet. In my kitchen, you cannot see the side of the tall cabinets because our refrigerator fills the space. We decided to put a cover panel there anyway, because there might be a smaller fridge there in the future.

If you were to only cover the exposed parts it probably won't look as nice, and also you will be narrowing the refrigerator opening by the width of 2 cover panels...if I am understanding your question correctly.

[Chuck]

(Unfortunately, the planner program being what it is, I can't open it and view your plans, so my answers are based on your post.)

Rmoving's answers are correct, with one small technical correction - you don't need a filler with your cleat (which should, as noted, also run behind the DW ). The cleat runs front-to-back on the side of the tall cabinet, and the counter sits right on top of it. Assuming the material is small enough to not interfere with the placement of your DW - the 1x2 is perfect for that, you can butt your DW right up against the tall cabinet.

As for the issue of cover panels on the inside of the fridge cavity, that to me is a colossal waste of money and wall space, and also a design "feature" that is completely unappealing to me - the panels running up between tall and fridge cabinets breaks up the continuity running across the facade of those cabinets. I wouldn't use those panels at all.

	DW definitions DW can mean Dear or Darling Wife (or substitute your expletive), or alternatively DishWasher. Take your clues from the context.

[bigredbird]

If you have full length panels for your tall cupboards then you should fit them.

If you cut them so that they go as far as the work top then you run the risk of the upper and lower cabinets not lining up. Where you have a decor panel on the wall cupboards you also need one in the same place in the base cupboards and vice versa.

Finally, and if I understand correctly, you have a dishwasher next to a tall cupboard. Again, if you have a full length panel you should use it. Also, unless you work top are stone, just run some chipboard screws through the side of the tall cupboard into the end of the work top to support it.