Measure the length of countertop required, allowing an overhang unless it is to be flush. Check, too, that the cabinet depth is a standard Use a fine-tooth saw to cut the laminate board to the right length. The edges can be neatened with a file. Measure very carefully before cutting to avoid expensive errors.
With someone to help you lift, set the countertop on top of the base cabinets. Push it snugly against the wall, and against any corner it meets. If the wall is uneven, you will need to adjust the countertop for a neat fit by scribing the line of the wall. Clamp the countertop in place and put a strip of masking tape along the back edge so that you can mark a pencil line along it.
Set a compass to the largest gap between countertop and wall. Keeping it at a right angle to the wall run the point along the wall so the pencil draws a line along the masking tape. Move the countertop on to a pair of saw horses or work benches and use a Surform plane to shape it to the line. Where the countertop finishes at a wall or appliance or overhangs a base cabinet, it will need matching laminate trim on the exposed edge.
It may come with an iron-on trim or you may need to use contact adhesive according to instructions to apply the trim. Trim the edges with a craft knife and use a file on any rough edges. To fix the countertop in place first drill clearance holes into the framing of the cabinet; three screws at the front and three at the back of each cabinet should be sufficient.
Put the countertop in place on the base cabinets and drill upwards through the clearance holes in the framing into the countertop. Use wood screws in each fixing position. If the countertop goes around a corner, a joining strip will be needed. Scribe the second section to the wall as above, then screw the joining strip to the second countertop length, butt it up to the first ,and secure it in place from below.
If you're planning to install kitchen counters yourself, be aware that not every type of countertop is suitable for DIY installation. Unfortunately fabricating granite and quartz requires large specialized heavy equipment to cut the countertops that requires warehouse space.
However, countertops such as laminate and butcher block can be cut with basic power tools allowing for a DIY installation. Owner and creator of Countertop Specialty Ryan Burden suggests prefabricated laminate as the best option. The laminate is already formed and glued onto the fiberboard backing with an edge and backsplash. What about how to install countertops made from materials other than laminate?
And bear weight in mind, too. Note : Make sure you have all your plumbing disconnected prior to the sink installation. Countertop and sink installation is a construction process. It will be a little difficult to live around for a while.
There is bound to be:. Precautions to take include:. A professional countertop installer will probably put up some plastic for you. They will also clean up the mess. Remember, large slabs of stone or whatever material you choose will be carried into your home. Keep all children and pets away.
This is a construction site for a few hours, and there are dangers associated with construction. You also want to clear a path from the door to your kitchen. Make sure you take artwork off the walls and store it in a safe place. Anything hanging on the walls could get bumped as the installers carry the countertops into your home. The template is the footprint the installer will create and use as a kind of stencil to create your actual countertop.
Everything you expect to have in your kitchen will have to be present at the time of the template creation so your installer can account for it in the final cut. Because there are differences in kitchen layouts and different size slabs, you will probably have to deal with a few seams. You will need to discuss the seam placement with your installer. A backsplash is an animal onto itself. You will want to confirm ahead of time that your countertop installer can also install backsplashes.
Not all of them will do it. For instance, if you are having a subway tile backsplash, you may need to find a tile expert to install. If you are having a backsplash installed up to the cabinets or around a range hood, it is imperative that the cabinets and hood be installed before measuring.
Most countertops cost anywhere from forty dollars to a hundred dollars per square foot. This includes installation. Concrete countertops are the most expensive at forty dollars to one hundred and twenty dollars per square foot. The deviation in price depends on what region you live in. Backsplash installation is a separate cost for materials and labor and can vary widely, depending on the material and style you choose.
Making the decision to install new countertops comes can turn into a big investment. When someone looks at a new house, they head straight for the kitchen. Yours needs to be a showcase, and new countertops and sink will be a major contributor to the look. There are some steps you will take when making the right decision and installing new countertops. They all have their pros and cons.
But ultimately, it comes down to your lifestyle. Do you have small children who are hard on countertops? If you do, you might want to choose quartz over bamboo. You also need to consider your taste and budget. You will probably be installing a new sink with your countertops. There are many types available. Some of them include:. The installer will need to measure the countertop and sink space. They must also be:.
Always be on hand or have another adult on hand when the installation is taking place. Questions might arise. For instance, discussing and determining where a seam will be. Most professional installers will leave you instructions on how to care for your new sink and countertops.
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