6, 8, 10 rule This is the rule of measurement used by many trades to determine the squareness of an area, this method works for 90 degree angles only. Usage: on one side of your 90 degree angle place a mark 6' from the corner, on the side that is at a right angle to the first place a mark 8' from the corner, measure the distance diagonally between the two marks, if the two lines are square with each other this should equal 10'.

Bar top Also referred to as a "pass through" when it is placed in an opening in a wall or window, the bar top is an elevated counter generally placed on a half wall and is used as a secondary eating area.

Bar pad Also referred to as an "insert" this is a piece of material that is placed in an opening on the bottom of a bar top and is used to attach the bar to a wall.

Build up Strips of material used to thicken and strengthen the counter top.

Butt joint Term used to denote a joint in a counter where there is no over lapping of materials, both halves of the counter are made flush and "butted" to each other. Usage: a quick joint that requires little skill to assemble but does not have the finished appearance of a lap joint, this joint is best used in a stove area where most of the joint will be cut out.

Caulk A sealant used to adhere as well as seal joints in counter tops and splashes. This is the preferred adhesive for bonding backsplashes to the wall.

Chemical surface A class of laminate that is resistant to certain chemicals and materials. It is available in limited colors.

Contact cement The glue used to bond laminate to wood, this type of glue only bonds to itself therefore it has to be applied to both surfaces to be bonded to have good adhesion.

Cook top term used to denote a stove top that is mounted in the counter surface.

Corbel Also referred to as a "bar bracket" this is used to support a bar top that has an overhang that exceeds the recommended maximum overhang.

Cut out An opening made in a counter top or splash for electrical or appliances.

Double thick Term used to denote the use of extra material in building up counters for bar areas and overhangs. Usage: to fill in voids where the counter will extend past the cabinet line by a distance greater than the standard overhang.

Drop lip Term used to denote a counter top that hangs down past the top of the cabinets it rests on.

Ear A piece of material usually a 1/4" thick used to help a counter meet irregular walls and fill in gaps.

Free standing Term used to denote a stove that "stands" on the floor and doesn't rely on the counter or cabinets for support.

Full height splash Term used to denote a splash that covers the wall from counter to the bottom of the wall cabinets.

Galley Term used to denote a kitchen layout that has a straight run or runs of cabinets with no angles.

Laminate Material commonly used in fabrication of counter tops, it is actually a paper product.

Melamine Material that has a vinyl skin on one or both sides.

Notch An angle usually 45 degrees cut on a corner of a counter.

Overhang The distance that the counter extends past the cabinet line, the standard overhang is 1" with respect to radius' which will need at least 2" overhang on one side of the counter. Usage: the overhang is required to prevent spills from leaking into the cabinet interior, as well as providing a rail to prevent you from bumping into and getting caught on cabinet hardware.

Overhang(bar) The distance that the counter extends past a wall or peninsula cabinet that is used for a secondary eating area, standard overhang is 12" for use as an eating area, maximum overhang is 15" without the use of bar brackets for support.

Overlap Term used to denote a counter joint where the material overlaps each other. This joint makes a level seam and can be used in an open area but it does not always close tightly, recommended use is in a stove area.

Particle board Material that is made up of fine particles of wood and glue to form solid sheets, these sheets are dense, have no grain and are relatively smooth, this is the most common material used for counter construction.

Peninsula This term refers to a counter that extends into a room from a wall or another section of counter and is exposed on 3 sides.

Prop stick This is a device which is no more than a short piece of wood which is used to force the backsplash against the wall and down on the counter until the caulk dries.

Radius Rounded corner on a counter used primarily on bartops and peninsulas, the standard is a 4 inch radius.

Radius (full ) Term used to indicate the full rounding of an end of a counter, i.e. a 24 inch counter would require a 12 inch radius to make a full radius.

Seam Refers to the point where two or more pieces of laminate come together, counters that are over 5' by 12' will require seaming the laminate.

Seam fill A product that is used to fill a seam that has opened or to repair a damaged counter, seamfill is excellent at repairing small nicks and scratches and is permanent.

Shims Small pieces of wood or other material used in leveling counters or cabinets.

Sink deck Also referred to as particle board, sink deck is particle board that has been sized width wise to a standard 25" kitchen counter width at the factory.

Slide in Term used to denote a cook top/ oven unit that slides into the face of the base cabinets and is partially suspended by the countertops.

Splashes Also referred to as a splash guard, this is the piece of material placed on the wall at the back of the counter to seal it and cover any irregularities in the wall.

Surface saver A cutting board usually glass which is cut into the counter surface and is permanently mounted.

Template A term used to describe actually laying out a counter with raw materials to get the actual shape of the counter then building the counter with the same material.

Tight joint A term used to describe a joint between two or more counters that is pulled and held together by mechanical fasteners.

Wall to Wall A term used to describe a counter top that touches a wall or other structure on both ends.

Wet seam This is a built up seam where the seam made in the laminate surface is placed over a section of countertop that has either been double laminated or cut out and replaced with a water resistant material (plywood), this aids in the resistance of water damage in wet locations.

Window sill A piece of material placed on a window ledge to match the counter(it doesn't nessesarliy have to match).

Work surface connectors Also called tight joint bolts, these are bolts placed in the bottom of a counter and are used to pull the halves of a multi part counter top tightly together.