Kitchen worktops

So your new kitchen is almost complete, with just the work surfaces left to put in place. Follow our 9 easy steps for installing your kitchen worktops like a pro.

1. Find the correct safety gear

As you’re going to be cutting your kitchen worktop, you’ll need safety goggles and a mask to protect your eyes and mouth from fine dust. Make sure the area is well ventilated and you’re wearing durable clothing.

2. Plan your layout

Work out where your joins are going to be and avoid having any joins near the kitchen sink. Then, cut the worktops roughly to the right size, leaving a few inches spare on either end to trim down for accuracy.

3. Measure your kitchen worktop

Place the individual pieces of your kitchen worktop over the kitchen base units. Take accurate measurements of the space, and mark them onto the worktop. Have a soft pencil, masking tape, and a long carpenter’s ruler on hand for this task.

4. Accurately cut your kitchen worktop

This requires specialist tools, patience, and a steady hand. A circular saw or jigsaw is best for this job, and to reduce the damage to the visible surface, turn the worktop upside down as you cut through it.

5. Join your kitchen worktop

The simplest method for joining your kitchen worktop is by screwing two metal strips to either piece, and using a metal bracket to join the 2 together. Invisible joining is a more complicated process, and requires a DIY expert or kitchen fitter to do it properly.

6. Fit the kitchen sink

Turn your kitchen sink upside down on the worktop and draw around the outline with a pencil. Draw another line inside the outline (the manufacturer’s instructions should tell you how far inside), drill through the worktop, and insert your jigsaw. Then cut round the inner line carefully.

7. Seal in the kitchen sink

Line the hole in your worktop with silicone sealant, then slot the kitchen sink into place. It should come with clamps that will pull the sink down, ensuring a firm join with the surrounding worktop.

8. Fit your kitchen worktops

Once everything has been cut and measured, and you’re sure that it all fits into place correctly, you can fit your kitchen worktop. Where you’ve cut through your worktop, measure the visible end and fix a laminate strip to hide the unfinished edge. Your kitchen worktops can then be fixed into place using right-angled brackets.

9. Learn how to take care of your kitchen worktop

Read up on the care instructions for your kitchen worktop. Some materials don’t like being cleaned with abrasive or chemical kitchen cleaners, which can end up causing permanent damage to your work surface. Consider investing in a thick wooden or granite chopping block, and some heatproof mats for hot pots and pans.

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