AMHS - Glossary of Common Terms

Angle End Cut

Similar to clip corner except front and side dimensions are different.

Back-Splash

Refers to the vertical portion of countertop.

Bonnett Splash

Has the same effect as end splash except it is contoured to be placed on top of the deck covering the nose and the top of back-splash. Used where there exists a poor fit to the wall.

Build-Up

Core strip applied to underside of deck before cap is applied.

Butt Joint

Full joint across 25” depth of counter top to extend length of countertop beyond 144”. Consider alternatives before using.

Clip Corner

45 degree cut on front nose of countertop to break sharpness of corner. Used where corner sweep is mpractical. Allow minimum of 2” overhang for 2” x 2” clip.

Core

Refers to the substrate used to construct the countertop.

Corner Sweep

3” only. Allow sweep size plus 1” overhang to length of countertop.

Cove

Formed joint between deck and back-splash.

Deck

Refers to the flat horizontal portion of countertop.

End Cap

Laminate applied to end of countertop to finish.

End Splash

Added to end of countertop for finish against wall.

Field Joint

Joint to be assembled on location.

Full Sweep

Specify 3” or 5”. Allow sweep size plus 1” overhang to length of countertop. Use on Double-nose counter.

High Pressure Laminate

General term for laminate such as Formica, Wilsonart, Nevamar, etc.

Lazy Susan Corner

Splayed or diagonal corner. Made with two 22-½ degree miter cuts. Requires shelf to fill corner area.

Miter

45-degree angle cuts on ends of countertops to turn 90-degree corner on L or U shape applications.

Miter Bolts

Hardware used to hold miter joint together. Standard 4 bolts used for each miter.

Particle Board

Substrate used for most countertops. Should be 45-47 lbs. medium density.

Pie Extension Cut

Used to extend length of L or U shape countertop. Up to 18” on an L shaped top and 36” on a U shaped top.

Pipe Chase

Counter cut out to bypass wall obstruction. Square edge back-splash applied.

Scribe

Extension of core material and laminate on top rear back-splash. This is used to fit countertops to irregular walls.