How to Install Laminate Counter Tops

Laminate countertops are a great way to change the looks of your kitchen. They will cost you less than granite or stone tops and can be every bit as beautiful.

Laminate countertops today come in a wide variety of colors and designs. The selection increases even more with special order designs and colors. In fact, you can more than likely find any color or style that you have your heart set on. And with special orders, you can actually order a specific length and width. In fact, some home improvement centers will actually send someone out to do the measuring to ensure proper cuts. They can measure the room and lay out the cuts so that you will not have to do any cutting or at least very little. If you know the exact location of the sink, they can even precut its opening. Just make sure they have the exact opening size. All sinks are not exactly the same. Special orders that come precut are the easiest countertops to install. In fact, it may be well worth the extra cost to have the tops precut.

However, if you can't afford the special order countertops, then you can buy the standard stock countertops and cut them to fit. They come in standard lengths of ten feet, six feet, and four feet. You can also buy them pre-mitered for either the left or right side. Unfortunately, if you need both ends mitered, you will have to cut one end. And you will have to cut the correct length on straight ends and the opening for the sink.

Cutting countertops is quite simple. You can cut them with a circular saw or a jigsaw. Just remember the old rule, measure twice and cut once. Unless you are an expert, I don't recommend cutting on the the mitered end. Since this is a factory cut, any cutting will throw the angle off.

Measure from the corner to where the counter will be ending. This might be the opposite wall or to an appliance, such as the stove or refrigerator. Mark the spot. Use a square to draw a straight line. A little tip here, cover the line with masking tape, wide enough to protect the countertop on either side of the saw's blade glide. The tape will also help prevent any chipping of the laminate. If necessary, remark your line on top of the masking tape. Cut from the top, if possible in one continuous cut.

Once the lengths are cut, measure the opening for the sink. Again, measure two or three times to ensure the proper size. Too big and your sink will fall through; too small and you will be cutting again. Another little tip is to not necessarily trust the cutout template on the sink carton. Turn the sink over and measure from side to side and front to back.

Once you have the correct measurements and location, draw out the opening and again tape the line. It is usually best to use a jigsaw to cut the sink opening due to rounding the corners slightly. Drill a hole first in order to get the jigsaw blade started. Then simply cut out your sink opening.

Now it's time to place the tops on the cabinets. If your measurements and cuts are correct, they should fit perfectly on the cabinets. The front lip of the countertop should come over the front of the cabinet. Connect the two mitered pieces together using counterbolts and the glue provided with the bolts. Using the glue will help create a seal between the two pieces.

Once the countertops are connected, it is time to connect them to the cabinets. In the corners of the cabinets you will find plastic braces. These braces have screw holes to allow you to go through the brace and into the counter top to secure the cabinets and counters. The screw should penetrate the countertop at least a quarter of an inch but less than half an inch. Be sure to connect both in the the front and back to prevent the countertops from moving.

You're now ready to finish installing your kitchen sink and covering any exposed ends of the counters. Special end kits can be purchased to match the countertops. These end pieces simply glue to the ends for a finished look to your brand new countertops.