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Accura™ Engineered Stone is a modular, lightweight engineered quartz product which does not require templating or specialist fabrication, facilitating ease of handling and installation. The following guide deals with the fabrication, installation and care and maintenance of Accura™ Engineered Stone worktops to comply with and obtain the 10 year warranty.
Engineered for performance and efficient installation • •
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8mm quartz surface with 50mm square edge profile (pre- finished on all four sides) Glass fibre reinforcement tounderside of quartz surface for enhanced impact resistance compared to traditional slabs. Lightweight honeycomb polypropylene core (waterproof) for strength & weight reduction Lightweight composite beams for strength and rigidity to both long sides. Custom designed PVC base for stability and clean finish
Factory pre-finishing reduces installation time compared to laminate worktops
Accura™ lightweight quartz worktops and matching finishing accessories • 3050x640x50mm (63kg) contains free 3050x50x8mm and 640x50x8mm matching quartz upstands in pack
• 3050x900x50mm (93kg) contains •
free 3050x50x8mm and 900x50x8mm matching quartz upstands in pack All benchtops also come with one free matching quartz (rebated) end cap solution and edge strip
50mm upstand
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3050x100x8mm matching quartz upstand
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3050x700x8mm matching quartz splashback
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Acrylic adhesive (50ml tube for end cap)
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Glue Gun
End Cap Solution
Inspection Please check your surfaces before installing •
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Accura™ Engineered Stone worktops and matching quartz accessories are supplied wrapped in foam and packaged in strong cardboard for protection. The factory finish on the worktop surface may have dusting from the foam wrapping following the lines of the cardboard corrugations due to compression from storage. This is normal and is easily cleaned off with a soap and water solution. It will be more noticeable on black designs. Quartz is a natural material and slight variations in pigment, colour and pattern density are inherent in the manufacturing process. The installer should report any abnormal defects to their Accura™ Quartz supplier prior to fitting, including colour incompatibility. It is the responsibility of the installer to conduct a visual inspection for defects on the worktops once unwrapped. If unsure regarding quality of material, always contact your Accura™ engineered stone supplier for advice. Never stack or slide unprotected Accura™ engineered stone worktops directly on top of each other. Whilst quartz is highly scratch resistant to everyday household materials, quartz on quartz will cause scratching. Kurve Limited will replace any of their worktops that do not meet with the product specification. However, Kurve Limited will not be responsible for any labour charges or any associated charges incurred for fabrication done on defective materials, or any costs whatsoever for any faulty worktops fitted or any cost associated with refitting.
Health and Safety •
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Silica dust is created during sawing; drilling, routering and sweeping Accura™ Engineered Stone worktops and overexposure may cause silicosis. Therefore simple precautions should be taken during fabrication and cleaning procedures by ensuring use of personal protective equipment. Respiratory face masks (type FFP3) should be worn during dry fabrication to avoid inhalation of silica dust and impact resistant safety goggles to protect eyes against dust and debris. Use portable vacuum dust extraction with plunge saws and router equipment and remove dust in sealed bags for disposal. The amount of dust from fabrication may be relatively low, but it is better to perform fabrication processes outside domestic premises where possible in a sheltered open area. When fabricating inside, ensure as much ventilation as possible through window and door openings. Whilst Accura™ Engineered Stone is substantially lighter than traditional slab quartz, it is recommend that two experienced and trained persons lift the product at all times. Only use quality diamond coated saw blades, router and drill bits which are suitable for cutting stone products. Standard woodworking tooling will not cut Accura™ Engineered Stone and could be dangerous if attempted.
Important Fabrication Rules •
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Only use diamond coated tools when working with Accura™ Engineered Stone. These are available from specialist tool suppliers. Work slowly and let the blade do the work for best results. Regularly vacuum away quartz dust and debris when working to avoid damage. Quartz grated on quartz can scratch your surface! The tops of the cabinets must be flat and true within 2mm of a flat surface for every 3m length. Allow 3mm clearance for expansion between worktops and walls. Never install mechanical fasteners (screws, nails etc.) directly into the Accura™ surface. All sink and hob apertures, rebates, notches or other cut-outs with 90 degree or sharp internal corners within the Accura™ surface must be radiused to a minimum of 12mm to avoid potential stress cracking through normal expansion and contraction.
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No worktop joint should be within 150mm of a sink or hob cut-out or positioned over a dish washer. Always use aluminium heat reflective tape to prevent heat damage at hob cut-outs with a 3mm clearance gap all round to allow for heat expansion and contraction. Support overhangs exceeding 300mm with cantilevered brackets or legs. It is the installer’s responsibility to ensure adequate and safe support. Drainer grooves should not exceed 3mm maximum depth Use only polyester, silicone, acrylic or 2-part epoxy adhesives
Cutting Accura™ •
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All cutting work should be undertaken with a diamond coated circular saw blade from your specialist supplier. Always use a plunge saw with guide rail. The optimum rotational speed is 3500rpm. Work slowly for an efficient cut and quality finish. Cut end will normally be into a wall leaving factory finished end exposed or forming a butt joint. Allow 3mm expansion gap all round.
Jointing Accura™ •
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Pre-finished (all round) quartz edges are simply butted together form a neat “V” groove and are bonded with matching silicone or PU adhesive. Suction jointing clamps are optional for fast and accurate fit. Use plastic window packers to “fine tune” levelling procedure. Clean out excess adhesive to form a neat v-groove joint. Use masking tape to edges of bevel or soapy water on surrounding surface so excess adhesive can be easily removed. Worktops should be screwed to the carcass through the PVC balancer (use pilot hole). Always allow 3mm all round against walls and abutments for expansion.
Jointing Accura™ •
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Because Accura™ Engineered Stone is finished on all four sides, most L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen designs do not require any work to cut ends as they are run in to the wall, however, an occasional bevel to form a neat v-groove may be required to optimise components. This is achieved with a diamond grit sanding pad. Cut ends are glued with PU or silicone adhesive in the same way as the abutment of two finished ends or sides.
Forming a bevel with diamond grit sanding pads •
Remove bulk with 50 Diamond Grit Pad.
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Finish with 800 Diamond Grit Pad with a little water for a smooth professional finish.
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Take care not to sand finished surface of worktop.
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Process takes no more than 5 minutes.
Inset Sink & Hob Cut-Out’s • •
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Mark out sink position on masking tape on surface of quartz Drill corners (minimum 12mm diameter diamond coated hole saw or drill bit) and cut out aperture with a circular plunge saw with guide rail using a diamond coated saw blade, connecting the holes. The last part of the cut can be done with a diamond coated jig saw blade if required for control. Start from the centre of the cut to avoid over stressing the material. Minimum 12mm radius to all apertures to avoid stress cracking Seal sink in place with silicone or PU adhesive to protect the carcass Use aluminum heat reflective tape to prevent heat damage at hob cut out’s, leaving a 3mm clearance gap all around to ensure adequate and safe support
Undermount sink installation Use sharp diamond router bits. Work clean. Take your time. •
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Using a sink jig, firstly router bulk of cut out with a coarse (10.0mm diameter) cutter taking two passes (maximum 5mm depth of first cut). Only cut through the quartz surface material as the larger underside aperture in the core is a separate process using a conventional twin fluted router. Remove approx last 2mm of quartz aperture with polishing router (12.7mm diameter) and finish with bevelling tool in laminate trimmer or diamond sanding blocks for the optimum finish. Router larger sink profile cut out on reverse side by removing PVC balancer and polypropylene core with a standard twin fluted router and scrape off the fibre glass reinforcement to the underside of the quartz. The quartz is now exposed to take the sink flange and support clips. Treat the quartz surface cut out and core material cut out as two separate jobs. Do not use the diamond router on the polypropylene core as it could get contaminated with the heat generated and require cleaning when cool. Cut straight drainer grooves using a jig to a maximum of 3mm depth. It is better to utilise the polishing router blade only with one single pass towards the sink and then reverse the pass for the best result. Polish grooves using 200 grit diamond hand polishing sheet (with a little water) or alternatively silicone carbide sheet. Take care not to sand surface of quartz. When routering darker colours, the final finish is lighter than the face which is normal. Make sure your MDF or plywood jig is sanded to a good standard as its contours will be mirrored in the sink aperture when cut. Tap hole should be cut with a standard 35mm diamond coated hole saw with clamp or jig. Sink flange should always be adhered to the underside of the quartz with silicone or PU adhesive Screw fix sink clips through pilot hole in PVC backing or use a 2 part epoxy adhesive. Use portable vacuum equipment during routering and ensure that you vacuum away residual quartz dust and debris from the surface of Accura™ as you proceed.
Profiling Accura™ UNDERMOUNT SINKS & DRAINER GROOVES •
1. Straight router #40 diamond grit, 12.7mm diameter shaft, 10mm diameter cutting head for bulk cut.
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2. Straight router #70/80 diamond grit, 12.7mm diameter shaft, 12.7mm diameter cutting head for finishing cut.
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3. Drainer groove finishing tool #70/80 diamond grit, 12.7mm diameter shaft. Used to smooth out the groove produced by tool.
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4. Drainer groove cutting tool #40 diamond grit 12.7mm diameter shaft. Used to cut the drainer groove.
JOINT FINISHING •
5. Bevel cutting cone - 6mm diameter shaft. For reproducing the fine edge bevel.
GENERAL CUTTING •
6. Jigsaw Blade 4 segmental bonded diamond.
Matching quartz end cap • • • •
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Mitred end cap (640x50x8mm) comes in pre-finished colour matched quartz material for ease of site application. Router cut end of quartz and sand for a true square finish. Trim down core and backing material with router between composite beams to house male section of rebate. Remove dust and debris and thoroughly clean end cap and core area with alcohol wipes and apply matching acrylic adhesive. (50ml). Clamp and clean off excess adhesive. Use ‘A’ clamps to hold edging securely in place during adhesion. Allow up to one hour to dry and trim edging with laminate trimmer or orbital sander to form bevel.
Matching quartz upstand and splashback • • •
Use PU adhesive or silicone for fixing to wall and surface of worktop. 50mm upstands are free in each 900mm & 640mm worktop pack. 100mm high upstands are available at extra cost.
Care and maintenance •
Accura™ Engineered Stone is resistant to stains, scratches and cracks and also highly heatresistant. It has high resistance to most common household chemicals.
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Accura™ Engineered Stone is non-porous, so stain and odour causing bacteria, mould, and mildew can't penetrate the surface.
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Accura™ Engineered Stone is low maintenance and no sealing, waxing or special polishing is required compared to granite, timber or acrylic based solid surface materials.
Simple to clean •
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Simply clean with warm water and mild detergent to keep Accura™ Engineered Stone surfaces looking their best. To remove adhered material such as food, gum, nail polish or even dried paint, first scrape away excess material with a plastic putty knife and then use a damp cloth to remove any marks or residual dirt. Chemicals can damage Accura™ Engineered Stone. Never clean with products that contain Trichlorethane, Methylene or Dimetil Chlorine such as paint removers or strippers. Do not use abrasive cleaning agents such as bleach or oven cleaner.
Protect from high temperatures and Sharp utensils •
Accura™ Engineered Stone is both heat resistant and durable; however, even quartz needs protection from very high temperatures. Always use a counter saver or trivet placed between your Accura™ Engineered Stone surface and the heat source.
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Quartz products should not be subjected to temperatures above 150 degrees Celsius. Sustained heat from casserole dishes or oil based cooking utensils could cause the surface to crack from the sudden temperature change, especially near the edges. Therefore hot utensils and pans should never be directly placed on the surface as a precaution.
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Quartz is scratch resistant; however, it is recommended that surfaces are protected by a cutting board when using knives.
