Installing your own countertops doesn’t have to involve hiring anyone. If you are at all handy there is no reason why you cannot install your own countertops when you do your kitchen renovations. Here is a brief guide to installing laminate countertops.
Laminate countertops are made from strips of wood that are laminated together and then have a special seal placed on them to ensure that moisture cannot get into the wood strips. The humidity in places were laminate would be placed is often 70% or higher and thus you need to ensure the seal is reapplied at least once a year.
1. Remove The Old
You will need to start by removing your existing countertops. Depending on how they are installed will determine how you remove them. Now is a great time to also refinish your cabinets. After all why not give the entire kitchen a face lift?
2. Clean Up
Once you’ve got the old countertop removed you will need to clean up your work space so that it’s nice and clean and you aren’t tracking debris. If you are installing your laminate from scratch over the existing counters the process below will differ. We are assuming you are replacing complete countertops.
3. Attach Time
Set the new countertop with glue and then attach the wood top to the cabinet box using wood screws and washers. There are many different types of glues on the market that you can use but make sure you choose glue that flexes because over time the counter will usually expand and contract differently which can eventually lead to cracking if the correct glue is not used.
4. Metal Fittings
Make your installation professional and use metal fixings along the box by evenly distributing the fixings along the entire length of the top of the counter at one inch intervals. Then affix the top to each of the metal supports using screws at the center, front, and the rear. Before screwing anything down make sure everything is perfectly level otherwise the stress will lead to cracks or warping in the future.
5. Pre-Drill
Pre drill the screw holes in the entire countertop to ensure that it doesn’t split or crack. Don’t tighten the screws too tight or you will split the laminate and that will ruin it as repairing cracks is almost impossible.
6. Expansion
How much your countertop expands will depend on the level of humidity in the room but anticipating at least a 1/2” expansion would be safe. Make sure you take this into account when you are measuring, fitting and installing your counters. If you do not you will land up with tension cracks.
7. Silicone
Once you have firmly attached your countertop using clear silicone run a bead along where the wall and countertop join. This will stop moisture or debris from being trapped.
That’s it. You are all done and don’t those laminate countertops look fabulous? See installing laminate countertops wasn’t that difficult after all was it? Won’t your friends be envious of your new kitchen and your new talent?
