guides
Here are some simple guides to Ordering, Installing and Maintaining an Express Benches quality benchtop
ORDERING
STEP 1 – PROJECT INFORMATION
ENTER YOUR PROJECT INFORMATION
Once your account is setup simply login to our online benchtop builder application:
eXpressbenches.onlineTo begin the process of ordering your new Express Benches quality benchtop navigate to the CREATE NEW ORDER link (found on the home page main menu or in the user profile menu (top right corner).
Here you will begin with the first step of entering your projects details such as job reference number, contact person and delivery details.
Don’t have an account yet?
Register Online
STEP 2 – BENCH SHAPE
SELECT YOUR BENCH SHAPE
The second step of the sequence for ordering your new benchtop is to select the shape of your bench.
You can select from I, L (left or right) and U shaped benches.
STEP 3 – SURFACE DESIGN
CHOOSE YOUR SURFACE DESIGN
You can see our selection of European quality surface designs here:
View our productsThe third step is to choose your surface design from our variety of wood and timber, stone and marble or timeless colours.
You can also select the bench thickness during this stage as some of our products may feature more than one option of thickness availability.
STEP 4 – BENCH DIMENSIONS (SIZING)
SET YOUR BENCH DIMENSIONS
Our benchtop builder will automatically define some edge dimensions based on calculations created by dimensions already entered. Our bench sizes range from a maximum long edge dimension of 4000mm to 4200mm (varies depending on which product) and a maximum short edge dimension of 900mm. The minimum dimension is 100mm.
Always check your measurements carefully before proceeding to the next step. The old saying ‘measure twice, cut once’ even applies online.
Note: If short edge dimensions are 600mm (or under) this will force the outer (long) edge to be classed as ‘not seen’ by default. When the short edge is exactly 900mm the outer long edge will be set as ‘profiled post formed seen edge’.
STEP 5 – BENCH JOINS
SELECT JOIN TYPES (IF APPLICABLE)
With the exception of our I shaped benches, all bench tops require at least one join.
Here you can select from Straight Mitre (corner to corner) or Masons Mitre (top to bottom or left to right) join types.
Note: If a Masons Mitre join (left to right or top to bottom) is selected, then the edge the join splits will be forced set to ‘not seen edge’ only.
STEP 6 – BENCH EDGES
SELECT VISIBLE (SEEN) EDGES
During this step you will see which edges are ‘profiled post-formed seen edges’ as default.
There will be other edges marked as ‘not seen’ as default. You can have these edges be classed as ‘seen edges’ by simply clicking the toggle button on the appropriate edge. This means our team will apply quality matching ABS edge tape along these edges.
Note: Short edge dimensions 600mm (and under) will force the outer (long) edges to be ‘not seen’ as default. Masons Mitre joins that split edges will force those edges to be ‘not seen’ as default. Short edge dimensions of exactly 900mm will force outer (long edges) to be ‘profiled post-formed seen edges’.
STEP 7 – BENCH CORNERS
SELECT ANY CORNER OPTIONS
You can apply either Clip or Notch corner options to any corner of any bench shape.
Our Clips allow for the edges to be chosen as ‘seen’ although our Notches are default as ‘not seen’ edges.
Minimum and maximum dimensions will apply depending on the sizing entered during Step 4 (Bench Dimensions).
Note: Notches can only have ‘not seen’ edges, however Clips can have ‘seen or not seen’ edges. The maximum length for a corner is set to 300mm less than the edges total dimensions.
STEP 8 – ORDER OVERVIEW
ASSESS YOUR ORDER DETAILS
The final step of our ordering process allows you to oversee the entire order and all details.
You can peruse the entire bench diagram with all specifics highlighted. You can also open the ‘View Quote’ drop down tab to reveal all details including your delivery address.
To then proceed you can either process your order ‘Order Now’ or ‘Save Quote’ to then come back to process your order at a later date.
INSTALLATION
JOINING YOUR BENCHTOPS
HOW TO JOIN YOUR BENCHTOPS
You have purchased one of our high quality HPL benchtops. Please be sure to seal the joins at the time of assembly as per these instructions and that all edges are sealed to the walls and cabinets on completion of installation.
Your worktop has been machined and supplied to the sizes specified however if some scribing is required due to walls that are not true to alignment then scribing can be done with a sharp electric planer or sander. Be very careful not to chip the laminate while scribing.
Tools required when joining your Express Benches benchtop:
Clear, neutral cure, wet area silicone
Caulking gun
10mm spanner
Hammer and small block
Plastic putty knife or similarJoining your Express Benches benchtop
Joining the worktop is best done in place with the worktops the right way up and fitting the toggles from the underneath. We recommend you dry fit the worktop, checking joining, before you start.
Apply a heavy bead of silicone to both of the edges of the joint. Using a plastic putty knife or similar, spread the silicone across the entire edge of the joint, working it into the edge of the worktop. Having worked the silicone into the edge of the worktop, apply a further bead of silicone to the top edge. Bring the parts together and join using the toggle bolts provided.
Apply a little bit of pressure on the toggle bolts, and then check the top surface to ensure both pieces are flush. You can tap very gently with a small hammer (always ensuring to use a block to protect the top), to flush the top surface.
Once worktops are flush, tighten the toggle bolts and carefully clean off any surplus silicone that has oozed from the joint, checking as you tighten, that the worktop remains flush at the join. Leave join 24 hours for the silicone to cure.
Please note, these instructions do not replace good trade practice and common sense.
BENCH CUT OUTS
HOW TO CUT OUT HOBS AND BOWLS
Please follow this simple step by step process to cut out a hob, bowl, sink or taps for fitting into your worktop.
Before You Start
Please ensure the complete length of your worktop is well supported before you start, and throughout the entire process of the cut out. Once you make your cut out, you remove a large portion of the worktop so support and handling of your worktop is important until you have it sitting in place.
If space allows, making the cut out with the element in place is recommended.
Once the cut out is complete, if it is necessary to move the worktop, ensure you lift it on its edge.
Cut Out Instructions
Carefully mark out the exact position and size of the cut out to be made. It is recommended that you place masking tape on the worktop where the cut out is to be made and mark the cut out on the masking tape. This makes it easier to see and adds some protection to your work top when making the cut.
Having marked the cut out, carefully drill a 10mm hole in each corner. It is important that the corners retain the radius of the drill hole. This helps prevent the top from cracking in the corners. Having drilled a hole in each corner, using a Jig Saw, carefully cut the hole required, working from corner to corner.
Notes
It is important to support the piece being cut out so it does not fall away and break the top as it is being cut out. Having an extra pair of hands will be helpful.
We recommend using a sharp, DOWN CUT, jig saw blade, and cutting slowly. A Down Cut will help eliminate chipping to the face edge.
Placing some Masking Tape around the cut out, so the jig saw is sitting on the masking tape when cutting, helps to protect the surface of the worktop from scratching while making the cut.
We recommend using a neutral cure, clear, wet area silicone for sealing bowls.
Fitting Accessories
Our benchtops are manufactured to the highest European Standards. It is critical when installing a hob, sink or tap that all cut outs are fully sealed and that the accessory is also fully sealed to the surface of the worktop to prevent water penetration into the cut out.
Water penetration and/or swelling to the substrate as a result of not sealing the cut out edges or the fitting of the accessory is not covered by any warranty claim.
CLEANING AND MAINTAINING
There’s nothing easier than cleaning and caring for Express Benches surfaces.
A major advantage of Express Benches is that the HPL surface makes cleaning so simple. Usually a moist cloth is sufficient, but use washing-up liquid to get rid of any grease. Stubborn dirt can be removed with an organic solvent such as methylated spirits or alcohol. Brushes with hard bristles (but not wire brushes) may also be used.
LIGHT STAINS OR DIRT
STAIN EXAMPLES
Light dust, dirt and low level stains.
SUGGESTED CLEANING METHOD
Dry or damp paper towels, a cloth or sponge.NORMAL STAINS
STAIN EXAMPLES
Fat, oil and dirt particles, fingermarks, lime deposits, rust, juice, coffee, tea, wax, blood, universal marker etc.
SUGGESTED CLEANING METHOD
With a cloth or soft nylon brush and washing powder, soft soap, toilet soap or washing-up liquid. If necessary, leave for a while and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.HEAVY STAINS
STAIN EXAMPLES
Discolouration through long exposure to tea, coffee, fruit juice etc.
SUGGESTED CLEANING METHOD
With washing powder and household bleach (but do not repeat too often).Lead pencil, felt-tip pens, marker and ball-point pens, lipstick, crayons, wax, shoe polish, nicotine, nail varnish.
SUGGESTED CLEANING METHOD
With an organic solvent such as acetone (nail varnish remover), methylated spirits, petroleum spirit, perchloroethene. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully!Paint (water or solvent based paints, two-component paints, spray paints), varnish stains, printing ink.
SUGGESTED CLEANING METHOD
With water or an organic solvent. Remove two- component paints immediately.Adhesives (water-based, dispersion).
SUGGESTED CLEANING METHOD
With water or an organic solvent.Two-component adhesives, urea resin, melamine, phenolic resin.
SUGGESTED CLEANING METHOD
Remove immediately. Do not allow to harden!