A kitchen benchtop is more than just a practical workstation. It is one of the most visible components of the kitchen. The benchtop you select can either make or break the kitchen’s design and, hence, be worth careful consideration. A DIY kitchen benchtop installation approach can do wonders with step by step ways.
Here is everything that you should know about the kitchen benchtop installation:
- Installing new kitchen benchtop:
DIY kitchen installation has gained popularity over the past few years owing to the popularity of easy-to-build flat pack kitchens. You can unfold and install a flat pack kitchen using common household tools.
However, kitchen benchtop installation can be deceptively hard at times. That is because kitchen walls are not always perfectly straight or square. While it is true that a splashback can hide any gaps at the back of a benchtop, but when it comes to joining lengths of benchtop against a kitchen corner, it can be difficult for an amateur. In addition to that, you also have openings for the kitchen sink or the cooktop to tackle. Even if you are ready with the right tools for cutting a space for your sink in a timber benchtop, a one-minute mistake can cause disaster.
Taking a DIY kitchen benchtop installation approach can work if you follow the below-mentioned step-by-step process:
- Step- 1:
Mark up the sections you need to join- you need to lay the bench section on the top of the cabinets. Try to crawl in under the bench and mark the spot where the bench sections join. Then try to flip your bars and try to match the marks again. Now it time to measure and mark out the drill points.
- Step 2:
Make holes to join- you should use the Forstner bit to drill holes on the below side of the benchtop. You can mark the Forstner with a small tape, so you do not hit too deep. Once the drilling gets complete, use a handsaw to cut trenches from those holes to the edge of the benchtop.
- Step 3:
Prepare the cabinet attachments- you need to attach the bench to the kitchen cabinets using brackets and screws. You should install the shelves into the top centre at the rear panel of each cabinet. Then it is time to drill guide holes into the horizontal braces at the front of each cabinet. You need to use these later to screw up into the lower side of the bench.
- Step 4:
Join the bench sections together- at this step, you need to tighten the two sides of the bolt to bring the benches closer together. Now you need to place the sections of the bench right way up on the cabinets. Next, you should apply glue to the section joints and install the joiner bolts. You should then pre-drill screw holes through the cabinets into the benchtop and fix the benchtop in the proper place with the screws.
Bottom line:
Even if you take a DIY approach to kitchen benchtop installation, you should always take quotes for professional benchtop installers. Remember that you are going to deal with your kitchen for a long time. Undoubtedly you want your new kitchen benchtop to be the belle of the ball rather than posing as an eyesore.