If you want to renew the sink and the kitchen plate, it is best to change the countertop to give a new decoration to the entire space. There are many models of post-formed boards, based on agglomerate coated with a resistant layer of melamine. Here, we suggest step by step guideline on how to install a kitchen countertop.
How to install a kitchen countertop?
Choose the countertop model you want, according to the wide variety of boards for this use that you will find in the Leroy Merlin stores. Measure the length of your current countertop to see if it is served with a single board or you have to buy more because the kitchen is arranged in L. For example. You can saw at home without difficulty with circular saw or jigsaw. Buy the tufts, lids and trim in the tone that best matches the countertop and the lining of the walls.
What do you need?
- Materials
- Postformed countertop
- Pompadour
- Side termination caps
- Screw screws 16 mm
- Screw screws 30 mm
- Tools
- Saw arch
- Miter box
- Drill
- Keyhole saw
- Circular saw
- Screwdrivers
- Pencil
- Squad
- Felxometer
- Workbench
- Borriquetas
Protect yourself with the right accessories. Use, for your safety, glasses, gloves, and mask. In this way, you will safe from accidents and injuries.
What types of countertops are there?
The variety of types of countertops that you can find in the market is increasing. We tell you what they are and their characteristics so that you can choose the one that best suits your tastes and needs.
Laminated: Composed by a board of pressed fibers covered by the layer decorated with plastic material and resins. Unlike laminated boards for other uses, laminated countertops come post-formed. Their edge is already rounded and lined with the same sheet as the surface. This can imitate any other material, granite, marble, wood, or carry a fancy decoration. Keep reading Do I need my Kitchen Ductwork Cleaned?
Wooden: In the form of a board with pieces of solid wood glued together, it brings a lot of elegance and warmth to the kitchen. Although it is a more delicate surface, with good use and maintenance it can last many years in perfect condition. The woods that are most used are beech and oak.
Granite or marble: They are the most resistant, practically unalterable with time. In case you decide to install a countertop of this material it is preferable that a professional makes the hole for the sink and the hob.
Currently, you can find stainless steel countertops. It provides a very professional look and is very hygienic; of compact quartz, mix the quartz rock with synthetic resins; or you can even make them from work, with tile.
Remove the old worktop
- Close the water shut-off valve on the cutting keys so that the old sink can be disassembled. Unscrew the hoses from cold water and hot water.
- Also, remove the siphon from the sink valve to remove it.
- Remove the accessories, such as piping and old terminals. Use a screwdriver to remove the trim profiles by applying pressure.
- Also remove the joining pieces of the tufts, if any.
- Finish disassembling the crest with a screwdriver. Remove the screws.
- Remove the staples from the sink under the countertop to remove it without difficulty. Remove the cooking plate in the same way. It is very likely that it is fastened with staples.
- Carefully remove the sink and deposit it in a place that does not get in the way, especially if you are going to place it.
- Do the same to disassemble the kitchen plate. It will probably be fastened with staples. Disconnect the connection cables, first turning off the cut-off switch in the general panel or removing the plug, as the case may be.
- Most countertops are attached with a screw to the furniture structure. Unscrew the screws below.
- Carefully remove the old countertop. If it’s too big, you may need help to move it.
Remove the silicone
If you notice that the kitchen plate and sink are attached to the old countertop with some type of silicone, put a spatula or knife through the joint to peel off the adhesive. After removing the staples under the countertop, you can pull without difficulty to extract them.
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Cut and place the new countertop
Step 1. Measure the bottom of the furniture and add three inches more to protrude in front of the furniture. If the countertop has two sides seen. For example in the case of islands in the center of the kitchen. You have to add the three centimeters for each side.
Step 2. Move the measurement to the new countertop and mark the cut. Do not forget the extra inches you have added to each side.
Step 3. Mark the cut line with the help of the square and a ruler, if necessary.
Step 4. Cut the countertop to the size you need with a circular saw. Use the cutting guide to get the whole cut equally. Put on glasses, gloves and a mask.
When cutting the excess of the countertop? It is better to start cutting through the curved part of it. In this way, if there is a small splintering at the end of the cut will be in the back, which will be hidden with the wall and the top.
Step 5. Move the measurements of the sink and the plate to the countertop. Measure long and wide and take 1.5 cm around the perimeter so that they rest on all sides of the countertop. If you work for the unseen part remember to put the correct measurements, since you are tracing the other way around, on the bottom.
If what you are going to do is change the countertop only, with the same sink and the same plate, the old countertop can serve as a template to make the holes in the new one. If so, place the new countertop underneath and, above it, the countertop that you just removed. As a plastic usually protects the countertop it does not matter that you mark with a pencil or marker.
Step 6. So that there are no mistakes, cross out the two holes you have to cut with a pencil. Check once more the dimensions and the millimeters of the plate and sink support on the countertop, so as not to miss the cut.
Step 7. Drill now in the four corners of each hole with a wood drill. It has to be something thicker than the width of the cutting blade of the jigsaw with which you will saw the board.
Step 8. Cut with the blade of the jigsaw all the outline you have marked for the two holes.
Step 9. Present the board on the kitchen furniture. Arm it against the wall or walls you have.
Step 10. Screw the countertop under the cabinet at the necessary points. It uses 30mm lag screws. In any case, never have to go beyond the thickness of the countertop, if it is less than 30 mm thick. You can also put some adhesive mounting points on top of the furniture’s horizontal structure to improve the grip.
Step 11. Place the plate and the sink with your staples or silicone, without forgetting the gaskets.
Step 12. Attach the metal edge with which you will cover the side of the countertop with silicone or mounting adhesive.
Step 13. Mount the front and side pompadour, if it has one. Screw the base into several points, depending on the length of the countertop. If you think it is convenient, spread a silicone cord along the wall joint and the countertop to improve the sealing. Screw with lag screws 16 mm long every 50 cm. In any case, they always have to be smaller than the thickness of the countertop.
Step 14. The embellished part of the couple is placed using pressure in the channel of the base. Do it with force throughout the crest.
Step 15. Top with the side covers and the corner piece that joins the two parts of the crest, if any.
To cut the crest to size, use a miter box, and a saw bow. If the countertop has a corner because it gives two walls, you have to miter. Use a miter box to saw while holding the piece. In the joint, before putting the trim piece, it is convenient to extend a silicone bead in the joint.
Step 16. Remove the protective plastic from the countertop, which will be ready to use.
Step 17. After having finished the installation, you have to re-make the electrical connections for the board and water and drain in the sink. Place the siphon to the valve and connect the hoses of the tap to the cutting keys.
