The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s also the part that goes through a lot of wear and tear. From the daily cooking of at least two meals to the occasional cooking of big batches of food for events and gatherings, in the long run, your kitchen will age. Whether you’re a new homeowner looking for ways to mitigate this or a longtime homeowner hoping to revamp your kitchen, this article can help you with proper countertop installation and what you can do to ensure that it’s done well.
As with most undertakings, the secret to a perfect countertop installation lies in the preparation. If you already have the materials ready, you need to prep your kitchen to ensure that the countertop fits seamlessly. Otherwise, you’ll consistently be faced with the dilemma of having to change your countertops regularly after a botched installation.
To ensure that your countertop installation is done well, you may want to follow these tips.
1. Do Careful Research
Preparation is key, and good preparation entails a lot of research. If you want your countertop installation to be perfect, the materials themselves have to be perfect as well. Don’t be stingy in this aspect; otherwise, your countertop isn’t going to be able to fulfill its intended use.
Always ensure that you’re prioritizing quality, not a low price. You could opt to get countertops from your local store if you’re confident that you’ve done enough research to identify the good-quality brands. However, if you’re not exactly sure what brand or type of countertop would suit your kitchen, you can work with countertop experts, such as E&B Granite and other companies, and they can provide you with one that suits your needs perfectly.
2. Strengthen The Countertop Support
In most kitchens, countertops are usually placed on top of cabinets. This applies to both wall cabinets and kitchen islands. This minimizes the space that’s taken up, and it ensures that the bottom part of the countertop is still put to good use.
For this reason, you should be sure to strengthen the countertop support. In addition to the weight of the items being held inside, your kitchen cabinets should also be strong enough to carry the weight of the countertop you plan to install.
3. Level The Base
Apart from strengthening the frames of the cabinets, you should also level the base. This refers to the top flat portion of the cabinet where you’re going to install the countertop. Leveling the base to keep it smooth ensures that the countertop itself stays at a consistent height. On top of providing a uniform surface, a leveled base can prevent the likelihood of the countertop cracking due to stress.
4. Choose The Right Material
There are different kinds of materials you can choose for your countertop. The choice boils down to your budget and the style you want to achieve. But it’s also worth noting that each material comes with its own pros and cons. It’s important to discuss this with your countertop supplier so you can make an informed choice.
Here are some of the most common materials you can use for your countertop:
- Granite is one of the most durable countertops you can opt for, and it also comes in many colors and interesting patterns.
- Stainless steel is great if you do a lot of heavy cooking. It’s usually used for an auxiliary kitchen, so if you have one, this could be a good choice.
- Marble is best for higher-end homes, as it has a more refined look.
- Laminate requires very little maintenance, but it may not be good in areas near your sink, as it can get damaged with heavy water exposure.
5. Add Supports Where Needed
Apart from the basic frame of the cabinet, it’s also important to provide the necessary support where it’s called for. These include areas where your dishwasher, built-in oven, built-in refrigerator, and washing machine may be installed. In these areas, there won’t be a cabinet for the countertop to rest on, so extra support must be provided.
Because this is a highly technical and specialized job, this is one you may not want to do yourself. Otherwise, if you get this wrong, you increase the risk of damage to the mentioned appliances.
6. Always Have A Decision-Maker On-Site
This tip applies if you’re having your countertop installed by a professional team rather than on your own. Having contractors install the countertop isn’t reason enough for you to leave all the decision-making completely in their hands. To get it done the way you want, you should still leave a decision-maker on-site.
This means you have to be prepared for the possibility of having to take a few days off work if you’re the one who has to stay home as the decision-maker. This task includes making critical decisions or having to deal with matters that may arise during the installation process itself.
Conclusion
Installing countertops is an essential part of achieving your dream kitchen. Beyond just the style factor, your countertop should also meet your requirements in terms of functionality. It should be pleasing to look at while also being durable enough to withstand daily cooking and other kitchen activities. To ensure that your countertop will work just fine and won’t need to be replaced in a short time, proper installation is key. The tips above will help you get the job done well, even for your first time.
