February 28th 2010
How to Build A Bar
It’s not difficult to make a bar. You will increase the potential for success by ensuring that you pay attention to the proceeding tips and by being precise when performing your measurements. A bar can be a wonderful addition to any home especially if you like to entertain fairly often.
Required Tools
1)Tape measure
2)Drill
3)Skill saw
4)Pencil
5)Hammer
6)Paper
Required Materials
1)Drywall
2)2”x4” pine boards
3)Stain finish
4)Facing board
5)Counter top made from your choice of material
6)1.5” screws
7)Plumbing materials if accessories are intended
8)Wainscoting to taste
9)Nails – cut & finish
Instructions
1)You will first have to measure your bar area. When taking measurements you should make certain that there is enough space for someone to walk behind the bar with an additional few inches or feet to enable the user to manoeuvre in the bar area quite easily. You should make certain that the overall height of the bar does not extend beyond 45 inches. Also the total width at the base should be able to support your counter top. You will also need to make sure that there is overhang on either side to make room for both the bartender and your guests. A good rule of thumb is 11 inches at the bartender’s area and 1 foot for your guest’s area.
2)Now you will have to construct the box to act as a support for the bar top and additional accessories that will be used in the bar. You should have already allowed 45 inches of height for the length of the bar. If your bar will have a sink or a cooler you should at this point indicate that in your floor plan. At each corner of the box you will need to install 45 degree triangular blocks using a drill. These pieces will as extra support for your box. For a bar that is much longer in length joists and studs should be put in place. Make certain that these are evenly spaced apart during the installation period.
3)You can now begin to “dress the box” or in other words install all the extra features that will make it a bar. You should install the support fixtures that will be put in to house the shelves, cooler and sink. You have the option of using 2X4 stock or a thinner cheaper one can be substituted if you are attempting to reduce cost. Once you have completed this process you can begin assesing the work completed thus far to determine where the holes will be drilled for the faucets, electrical cords and drain lines. You would likely have had general ideas of where these should be put once you began doing the layout. Go ahead and drill the holes once you are okay with your final decision.
4)The final step will be finished once you install your counter. If you are using wood then all you will need to do is cut it to fit and then stain it to a nice finish before installing it. If you will be using a pre-fabricated stone top then you should have it assessed professionally to ensure that the base will be able to hold the additional weight.