Installing Minerva Woksurfaces

[mal165]

Hi, I'm currently refitting my kitchen and have ordered Carysil Minerva worksurfaces. There are very informative videos on line produced by Minerva and the process looks pretty standard. However, yesterday, I was advised by a Homebase kitchen planner that Minerva installation is not a DIY task and that I should engage a kitchen fitter with experience of working with Minerva.
I would really appreciate opinions on this.
Thanks

 

[foxhole]

Hi, I'm currently refitting my kitchen and have ordered Carysil Minerva worksurfaces. There are very informative videos on line produced by Minerva and the process looks pretty standard. However, yesterday, I was advised by a Homebase kitchen planner that Minerva installation is not a DIY task and that I should engage a kitchen fitter with experience of working with Minerva.
I would really appreciate opinions on this.
Thanks

Looks straight forward , provided you have tools and skill required .

 

[mal165]

Thanks, that's what I reckoned. I've got all the gear for 'standard' worktop installation but was surprised when Homebase said that only one of their kitchen fitters was willing to fit Minerva tops.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I'm not sure I'd put any weight in to what a Homebase kitchen designer really knows about fitting kitchens. Whatever you do , do not employ Homebase to fit your kitchen.

 

[chirpychippy]

The biggest issue with Minerva worktops is the weight of them, 3000mm x 600mm two blokes, myself and one other, we both struggled to lift it up in the air, they are very very heavy.

Cutting, you can only cut at depths of 2-3mm with your router or plunge saw set at a low speed. You will probably need up to six flute cutters depending on the amount of joints, I used two doing the undermount sink cutout and a couple of triple chip plunge saw blades.

Joints, think surgical operating theatre everything has to be super clean especially if they are white. The hob cut out needs to be dressed in aluminium tape for heat protection.

Again you'll need to protect it against water ingress, I.e above a dishwasher, aluminium tape is good for that to.

Minerva is a lower cost substitute aimed at the diy market in place of Silestone,Quartz or Corian, all three of these are installed by specialists.

Minerva is not an easy product to instal, it definately is not D.I.Y. I personally have no desire to instal it again.

 

[mal165]

Thanks for your advice. I had contacted Minerva seeking the worktop weight. I was astounded. Almost a tonne as I recall