What should be installed above dishwasher?

[alexreed092]

Hi there,

I’m hoping you can help with a question about my Kleenmaid dishwasher. I am the second owner of my apartment, and the dishwasher was already installed when I purchased it. There is a noticeable gap between the top of the dishwasher and the underside of the benchtop.

Could you please let me know if I can  cover it with a filler panel or trim, and if so what kind? Does it need to be heat resistant, a certain type of material, etc? It's about 600mm x 420mm.

Thanks, Al

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @alexreed092. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about infill panels.

Yes, you can certainly install a trim piece across that gap. A simple white-coat chipboard panel is usually the most cost-effective solution and works perfectly for this situation. You would cut it to the exact width and height of the opening, then secure it in place with small L-brackets screwed into the cabinetry on each side of the gap. It creates a clean, finished look and hides the opening without any special materials.

It’s also worth checking whether your dishwasher is already adjusted to its maximum height. Most models have adjustable legs that can be wound up to raise the unit so the top comes closer to the underside of the bench. If you can bring it up a little, the filler panel needed above becomes smaller. Once the height is set, you can fit a kickboard along the bottom gap using the same approach. No heat-resistant material is required for a dishwasher, so standard cabinetry board is perfectly fine.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[alexreed092]

Thanks @MitchellMc , a couple of people I spoke to did suggest adjusting the height, but I assumed the insulation was at the top for a reason. I will give the chipboard panel a go. Do I need to have an edging on the sides?

[MitchellMc]

The White-coat panel will have an edging strip on one side, which you'd face downwards, @alexreed092. That would be the only exposed side. The other sides will be facing the cabinetry and benchtop, and don't need edging. You could paint them to help prevent moisture ingress, though.

Mitchell

[alexreed092]

Great, thanks for the tip @MitchellMc . Which Bunnings closest to Melbourne CBD can cut panels to size?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @alexreed092,

Unfortunately, our team in-store is unable to cut thin strips of timber from panels. You could swap to in-built 2700 x 42 x 18mm Batten White Standard Pine, and the team could cut it to length for you. Bunnings Port Melbourne would be the closest with a cutting service.

Mitchell