One common area of concern in most kitchens is where a countertop meets the walls surrounding it. Installing new countertops can make your kitchen look great, but what about the strength and durability that the surrounding walls provide to your countertop? It may not seem like a severe issue when you’re first installing a new countertop, but it’s something that you at least want to consider.
There are many benefits to installing your own countertops yourself, especially when you know all the steps in advance. Let’s review the process for how to install countertops between two walls.
Step By Step Guide For Installment Of Your Countertop
Using Adequate Tools
Proper tools are an essential element in the installation process. To install your countertops correctly, you’ll want the right tools. One great tool is an 18-volt cordless drill that offers an ergonomic, user-friendly design and a maximum torque of 385 units. The 3-inch wood screws will be perfect for your smaller indoor installations. Using bracing is always advised when installing countertops; this way, you can ensure safety and durability as it’s crucial that your counters don’t bend or sag throughout their lifespan.
In this instance, 3/16″ wood screws will provide ample support to give stability to the wooden bracing installed over wall studs, if necessary. If you’re not comfortable with doing this, use another option such as pre-drill holes into the studs with a 3/16″ drill rather than making them by hand or hammering directly onto bare wooden boards!
Learn About The Top Braces
By gaining a better understanding about the different types of braces, it will help you when it comes down to installing your countertop. Brackets come in two varieties:
Horizontal Braces
When installing your first base layer for a countertop, you should use two-inch thick wall studs in order to provide it with the level of stability it needs. This type of wood is necessary so that you can tightly fit your countertop using two screws on each linear foot sticking out of the wall studs. Doing this with 2 by 4-inch wood will give yourself more room to attach hardware while also getting double points of contact.
And doing that extra step will allow your countertop to never shift in place when being nailed into the base layer because these types of vertical wall studs are typically an inch and a half thick, hence leaving enough space between them for bigger screws!
Vertical Braces
If you want to install a countertop on a surface that isn’t supported by any cabinets, then all you need is the support of a vertical stud. However, when you do so, make sure that your countertop won’t get too heavy and over-exerted because it was never meant to carry additional weight.
Thus, in order to provide ample support underneath your countertop and prevent warping, bring in another horizontal stud beside the first one for increased stability. Affix both studs next to each other on the wall with appropriate screws and leave enough room between them for placing additional vertical bracing that might become necessary down the road.
Remove The Old Countertop
The initial step is to shut off the home water supply. Use pliers if needed, as breaking the supply line can cause damage. Next, drain whatever trickle of water remains in the pipe by closing off any hot and cold water valves right before turning off the main valve. Check under the kitchen sink for dirt and grime; use a cloth to wipe it away or simply pull it out with your hands.
When detaching the sink, loosen its brackets with a screwdriver, then take out any residual screws that are holding it in place. A hammer or pry bar will release the stubbornly stuck sink from underneath without much hassle but make sure you’re not harming your pipes since they’re nearby as well! Removing old tile or a backsplash can be achieved using a flat head screwdriver for unlocking stubborn screws and prying them loose easily, so don’t worry too much!
Install New Countertop
Start by putting the new countertop where the old one once was. When measuring, ensure that it is flush with the wall. Using a compass will help you find the backsplash and countertop’s exact width. Once you’ve taken these measurements, put them aside so that you can begin construction on your new countertop. You’ll need a belt sander to sand down any rough edges thoroughly.
Apply silicone caulk or glue around for added durability and security according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Carefully align all parts of your countertop to another uniformly before driving or hammering it into place for extra strength and durability, just as instructed in the manual.
Miter Clamp Tightening By Using A Wrench
When installing your countertop, make sure to leave enough room between the edge of the counter and the wall. One way to ensure that everything goes smoothly is to use a mitre clamp during the installation (or have someone help you hold it in place). Once the countertop is secure, tighten any screws using a screwdriver or a wrench until there are no gaps between where they connect with the wall.
Silicone caulking can also be used to secure your countertop as an additional measure if desired. You might want to add another horizontal beam behind your wall studs if you are going for a more traditional look since it could give you more stability when leaning on your kitchen island, for example!
Can You Install Countertops Yourself?
If you’re planning to install kitchen counters yourself, it’s essential to know that not every type of countertop is suitable for a do-it-yourself (DIY) installation! “In order to install stone or quartz countertops,” explains Bill Samuel, an Illinois licensed general contractor and residential real estate developer at Blue Ladder Development, “you’ll need to make sure you fabricate the countertops correctly to fit your specific needs.” The material itself isn’t the only factor that should be considered when DIY’ing.
“This means you will have to cut the stone/quartz piece to fit the layout of your kitchen cabinets and sink location,” Bill adds. Unfortunately, since some fabrics require large, specialized heavy equipment fabricating granite/quartz requires warehouse space which not all homeowners have access too. However, some alternative materials are available, like laminate and butcher block, which can be worked with essential power tools that allow for a DIY installation.
Countertop Specialty’s owner and creator, Ryan Burden, says prefabricated laminate: ‘One of the best options for a do-it-yourselfer. Prefabricated laminate countertops are easy to install,’ said Ryan. ‘A small amount of work is required to measure and cut down wood boards, but as long as you know your way around power tools, you should be fine. Backing boards come with an edge, backsplash, and a hued Formica surface ready to pop on top!’
Fitting Quartz, Quartzite, Granite, And Marble Countertops
Today’s homeowners have many different options for their kitchen or bathroom countertops. For example, engineered stone quartz is a popular option because it looks like authentic granite without the hefty price tag attached. But not all homes are suitable for countertops made of materials like these.
Given their weight, in particular, they’re hard to install if there are structural issues in place already like broken floor joists or cracked walls (imagine trying to fit new countertops into a home that has termites!). So make sure you consider the structural stability of your home before deciding on which material or a mix of materials would be right for any area of your home that you plan to renovate.
When it comes to marble, you can find expert assistance on installing it or any other countertop material on sites like Houzz. They have a pretty nifty countertop calculator that you can use to determine which materials are a good fit for your home based on your kitchen area’s overall square footage.
Step 1
Start by clearing off any dirt from the backsplash and counters with a vacuum cleaner. Clean out any sticky residue or grime from the tile with a damp cloth. If you’re installing new countertops, you’ll need to remove any old ones that are in place. Use a putty knife or a screwdriver to loosen any grout that’s holding the tiles in place, and then carefully remove them.
Step 2
Before choosing the color for your new countertop, decide on what material best fits your home decor style as well as your wall color scheme. For example, when installing white marble, choose a lighter color for the walls and fit it with matching tiles for a sleek and elegant look. For brown marble, choose a darker wall color to give it depth!
Step 3
When you’re ready to install your new countertop, make sure that it’s level by measuring from corner to corner. Layout your tiles on top of the old ones and measure them from corner to corner as well. Go ahead and mark where you’ll need to make cuts for fitting the new countertop in place.
Cleaning And Maintaining Your Countertop
Most countertop surfaces are made of a type of granite or quartz, which includes marble and glass. These three materials do not require any special cleaning or maintenance. You can regularly use a soft-bristled brush or a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt accumulated on your countertop.
However, some countertops like the ones used for lighting fixtures and faucets require special dusting, polishing and sometimes even replacement of parts in order to keep them looking attractive. It is recommended not to use abrasive scrubbers and never use bleach! Be sure to wipe the area around your water filter as well. If you have a window over your sink, be careful not to clean it with too much force during winter as this may result in cracking of the glass. If you have children in the house, make sure they’re careful when sitting on your countertops, as its surface can be delicate and easily scratched up if you aren’t careful.
Also Read : 11 Easy Steps On How To Tile A Countertop Over Plywood
Final Verdict
Finally in the end, you now have gained knowledge about how to install a countertop. Before applying the materials, make sure to remove any dirt or dust from the screws and fasteners of your appliance. Also, make sure that no masking pieces are lying around on the floor or wherever you’ll be installing your device later on. This will help ensure that all of your appliances are put together correctly and level across as well as in alignment with each other.
Never lift this heavy equipment without help after it has been installed into place. To do so could prove to be very dangerous and may hurt you badly. You can always contact a professional company like Houzz to come to take care of your countertop installation needs. If all of your appliances have already been installed into place, nicely fitting against each other and securely level, then you should have nothing more to worry about!
FAQS
How much weight can a kitchen counter support?
Countertops are pretty thick – at least 3/4 of an inch and are generally made out of strong materials that can withstand many pounds of weight without buckling. Due to their broad surface area, they can support a lot more than my Haggen stand ever could! The weakest part of your kitchen counter is the sink area, so you might want to think about how it would hold up under a heavy load before you decide on putting your items.
Cost of putting new countertops
Countertops can cost upwards of $1,200 depending on the materials and brands you choose. For instance: laminate countertop installation averages at roughly $1,200, while solid surface countertops may be anywhere between $250 to $400 apiece. For example, Butcher block is a popular material that can cost around $1,000 more than other types such as marble and granite.
