The kitchen is one of the most visited rooms in the house. Its convenience and appearance are of great importance for creating a cozy atmosphere. Kitchen furniture is constantly tested: temperature fluctuations, humidity fluctuations, frequent wet cleaning with the use of household chemicals. Over time, the need for its repair or replacement is brewing. One of the most common operations is replacing countertops in the kitchen. Can I do this operation myself? And what points must be taken into account?
Replace or refurbish?
The countertop is the most eye-catching element in a kitchen set. It carries a considerable functional load: food is constantly cooked on it, heated dishes are placed on the surface, liquids are spilled, it is scratched with various objects. Because of this, over time, it loses its attractiveness.
What is more profitable: to restore the old countertop or install a new one?
Minor damage, such as scratches and chips, is fairly easy to repair on all types of countertops except glass. The most easily restored work surfaces are made of wood or laminated chipboard. But it should be remembered that in appearance the new part will almost always have an advantage over the restored one. And the new one will last much longer. In case of significant damage, the only option is replacement.
Why countertops deteriorate and why change them
The main reasons for damage to the part:
- Use of abrasive or aggressive detergents.
- Temperature fluctuations in contact with heated dishes, a hob or a gas stove installed nearby.
- Moisture penetrating inside and leaving marks on the surface.
- Pressure on the edges and corners of the slab, leading to their delamination or fracture.
- Burnout due to direct sunlight.
- Mechanical wear during routine kitchen operations.
- Incorrect or poor quality installation.
A countertop that has lost its external beauty or the integrity of the structure will have to be replaced.
How to avoid frequent table replacement?
As with any other product, you can extend the life of the product by following the rules of operation:
- Wet cleaning should be carried out with a soft cloth using non-aggressive, non-abrasive products, such as dishwashing liquid.
- Place hot dishes or kitchen appliances on special stands.
- Immediately wipe off moisture that has fallen on the work surface, reliably protect against its penetration into the thickness of the material.
- Do not carry out heavy operations on the edges and corners of the plate.
- Be sure to use a cutting board.
- Equip the legs of household appliances located on the countertop with soft pads so as not to scratch the surface when it is moved.
- Protect from direct sunlight with curtains or blinds on kitchen windows.
When you can install the countertop yourself
The desire to save money by doing the installation on your own does not always lead to a good result. Installing a countertop yourself is not so difficult, but the process requires certain skills and tools. Therefore, self-assembly is possible if:
- The part is made of soft, easy-to-work material. For example, wood or laminated chipboard.
- Fully understand the technology of installation work.
- There are necessary tools, consumables and fasteners.
- There are certain skills in using tools and assembling furniture.
Having decided to install on your own, you must clearly assess the risk of ruining the countertop. It may be cheaper and easier to turn to professional furniture assemblers.
When to use the services of professionals
It is better to order the installation if:
- You are purchasing an expensive item. In this case, the cost of the error will be very high.
- There is no special tool or skill to use it to perform the installation. For example, for cutting a hole in a piece of natural or artificial stone for a sink.
- Installation technology is unknown or incomprehensible.
- Installation services are already included in the price of the product.
What material to choose a countertop from?
For the manufacture of this part of the kitchen set, different materials are used:
- An artificial stone made from a mixture of acrylic and quartz. By painting the entire thickness of the slab, minor damage is less noticeable on it. A durable and smooth surface is formed, impervious to moisture or temperature changes, easy in everyday care. This option will last a long time, but installation is complicated due to the weight of the part and the complexity of its processing.
- Chipboard with laminated surface. The most low cost option. It tolerates temperature extremes, is resistant to dirt and mechanical damage, and is light in weight. Chipboard countertops are painted in a wide range of shades, imitating a variety of surfaces. They are easy to restore or replace with your own hands. The main disadvantage is that they do not tolerate moisture entering through the unprotected ends of the plate inside.
- A plastic covering fixed over an MDF or chipboard board. Such a surface is easy to keep clean, it is resistant to scratches and scuffs, and is not afraid of water ingress.
- A natural stone. A very expensive material. And heavy: not every kitchen set is able to withstand such a load. The hard, smooth surface is easy to clean, tolerates temperature changes well, but can absorb grease and strong odors. Does not tolerate shock loads.
- Glass tabletop. Stylish and hygienic, but bursts with temperature changes, cannot be restored and cannot be installed independently.
- An array of natural wood. It looks great, but needs constant specific care: such a countertop needs to be periodically polished and oiled. The surface is easy to scratch, it does not tolerate excessive moisture. Easily restored.
Color selection
The color of the purchased worktop should fit into the interior of the kitchen:
- Bright colors will tire your eyes when cooking. Such a detail will attract too much attention.
- For a room made in a classic style, dark colors are suitable. But on a dark surface, especially a glossy one, any contamination will be clearly visible.
- Pastel or beige tones, especially with small pockmarked patterns, are optimal for the kitchen. They don't show any signs of damage or dirt.
- For high-tech style, a white countertop or with a metal surface is suitable.
Dimensions
It is more profitable to order a single countertop that combines all the elements of the kitchen set. You will get a comfortable flat surface without joints into which moisture, crumbs and other debris can get. The only difficulty that needs to be taken into account is the transportation of the product and its entry into the kitchen.
In width, the countertop should hang slightly over the cabinets in front and behind. This will allow you to safely place pipes and communications behind the kitchen set. The front visor will protect the ends of the furniture from moisture and debris from above, reduce the risk of catching on the handles and cabinet doors during active use.
The thicker the plate of the product, the stronger it is. But you should take into account the dimensions of the built-in sink or hob, the height of the gas stove.
With self-installation, it is better to play it safe and take the dimensions with a small margin: it is easy to cut the part, but it is unlikely that it will be possible to build it up.
Preparing for a replacement
Before dismantling:
- The water and gas supply is shut off. The electricity is turned off.
- Hoses, pipes are removed, wires are removed.
- The contents of cabinets are removed, drawers are removed.
- The sink is detached from the countertop, the hob is removed.
A set of necessary tools and materials
To replace you will need:
- Fasteners (from the delivery set or purchased independently).
- Moisture-resistant sealant for countertops made of laminated chipboard.
- For stone countertops - glue-sealer.
- For marking - a marker or construction pencil, tape measure, square, pattern.
- Electric jigsaw with a set of files.
- Drill and screwdriver with the necessary drills and bits.
- Putty knife.
Countertop replacement
- Carefully, trying not to damage the cabinets, remove the old countertop. Masters advise to keep the fasteners and the old plate: they will be useful for various household needs.
- Using a building level, level kitchen cabinets. Tighten connections if necessary. Clean the place of fastening from the old sealant.
- All open ends of the new part are treated with a moisture-resistant sealant. It dries quickly, so the operation must be done quickly.
- Produce careful markup. When using a hacksaw for fitting, the line is applied to the front side, and if a jigsaw is used, to the inner surface.
- You can protect the laminated layer from chipping by sticking a strip of masking tape along the cut line.
- Large irregularities are removed with a fine file or sanding paper.
- If the countertop is prefabricated, then the joints are degreased and treated with a sealant. After installation, they are polished. Such a connection will be almost imperceptible.
- Fix the plate with fasteners. Slots and gaps are filled with sealant or sealer.
- A melamine film is glued onto the end of a chipboard product using an iron. Near the stove, it is better to use a metal plinth. It is more resistant to heat and will not flake off.
Installation of sink, hob, skirting board
In a worktop made of hard materials, it is not recommended to make a cutout for a sink or hob yourself. It requires special skills and tools.
It is undesirable to use an old plate for marking: the holes in it may increase during operation.
- A sink or hob is attached to the stove, outlined along the contour.
- The cutting line is shifted 1.5 cm inside the contour. It is better to make the hole a little smaller: you can always expand it.
- Several holes are drilled to insert a blade of an electric jigsaw into them.
- A hole is cut out along the markings glued with masking tape. It is better to support the cut piece from below so that the plate does not break off.
- The inner edge of the resulting hole and the surface covered by the sink are treated with a sealant.
- The sink is fixed, the hob is connected according to the instructions.
- The junction of the countertop to the wall is closed with a decorative plinth.
- A mixer is installed on the sink, sewerage is connected.
Pro Tips
- Do not purchase used items. Even if they are in good condition, the resource of such a part will be much less. And will need to be replaced soon.
- Do not cut your own sink holes in expensive countertops. The risk of making a mistake is too great, and it is almost impossible to correct the mistakes made. Better entrust it to professionals.
- Be careful when transporting the item. It is not uncommon for the surface to be damaged or even the slab to be broken during delivery to the destination.
