Laminate countertops give kitchens a sleek look at an affordable price. Installing a new laminate countertop can be a challenge, but it’s easier if you have the right tools and know how to get the job done. Below is more information about how you can perform this installation in your kitchen without causing damage.
1. Take Out Your Old Sink
Before doing anything else, take out your sink, stovetop and any anything else currently attached to your existing countertop. Take kraft paper and trace the holes left by removal of those attachments. If you’re planning to put the same fixtures into your new countertop, cut the holes out of this paper. Next, take out all the drawers and stow them somewhere.
2. Uninstall Your Old Countertop
First, remove all screws from their mounting brackets. These will probably be found at the top cabinet rails and corners. If the countertop is a series of sections connected by fasteners underneath, locate and take out any screws and retaining clips that are present.
Cut the old caulk away from the backsplash using a utility knife. After confirming that the countertop is no longer connected to the floor, remove it, using help from others if necessary.
3. Install Your New Countertop
First, be sure that you have the following tools and materials for the job:
- drawing compass
- clamps
- level
- rubber mallet
- caulk gun
- jigsaw
- belt sander
- miter clamp kit
- silicone caulk
- shims
- wood glue
- saw horses
To make handling easier, ask the shop making your new countertop to put it in sections. The shop can also make your job easier by installing hidden fasteners designed to fit their corresponding joints. Make sure that all seams and parts have been test-fitted before you pay for the countertop. It’s possible to have complex areas pre-assembled, but only go this route if you have the ability to transport the possibly cumbersome result.
As you get ready to install your countertop, confirm that the old base cabinets are still firmly in place without having settled or tilted. Otherwise, they could cause your new countertops to warp or even break apart in corners and other weak spots.
Put the new countertop in place and check that it’s totally level. Use your miter clamps and wood glue to stick the unit together. With gentle tapping, use your rubber mallet to fix areas that aren’t level. If there are gaps, fill them with shims.
Now it’s time to screw the countertop onto the cabinets from below. If you have to drill pilot holes, avoid breaking through the upper surface. If your cabinets don’t have tops, screw through their inside fronts, passing through any other blocks on top.
If you’re keeping the same sink, measure it and mark its location. Trace a pattern for the hole onto the countertop using kraft paper for a stencil, then cut it out of the countertop with your jigsaw. Laminate countertops are vulnerable to chipping, so first score your cut line with a utility knife and make a pilot hole before you start cutting. Now you’re ready to put in the sink and reconnect its lines.
Seal all seams with silicone caulk that matches your new countertop to keep moisture and grime from developing in the crannies. Be sure to caulk the spot where the countertop or backsplash connects to the wall.
With a bit of time, the right tools and the directions above, you can put a nice new laminate countertop in your kitchen without spending a fortune.
