Fitting a kitchen worktop is an essential part of installing a kitchen and what you choose can have a real impact on the finished look. And, there’s plenty to choose from to help get that dream kitchen. But, some are not as easy to install as others.
Laminate and solid wood kitchen worktops are easier to tackle than granite, quartz and marble. We recommend leaving stone worktops to the professionals. But if you’re handy with a power saw then fitting a wooden worktop will be a DIY task that you can tackle with the help of this guide.
Tools you’ll need for fitting a kitchen worktop
When fitting a kitchen worktop there are a whole number of tools that you will need to make sure that you get a clean neat finish. Key to success is a circular saw and jigsaw.
But you will also need a tape measure, drill, clamps like this IRWIN Quick-Grip Woodworking Clamps set from Amazon, screwdrivers, utility knife like this Amazon Basics Durable Folding Utility Knife, mallet, spanners and silicone sealant. And don’t forget your safety gear including goggles and dust masks like these Site P2 Valved Disposable dust masks from B&Q.
Try these tools for fitting a kitchen worktop
A corded circular saw with aluminium safety cover, base plate and blade cover. Has a cutting dpeth of 66mm at 90 degrees and 46mm at 45 degrees.
A compact, corded jigsaw with a 80mm cutting depth in wood. Produces minimal vibration and has a dust extraction port and integrated blade storage.
A 5m tape measure that features a high visibility blade colour with two-sided printing with metric and imperial measurements. Includes a dual end hook.
How to fit a kitchen worktop
1. Measure up and template
Before you fit a wooden kitchen worktop you will need to measure up. You'll need to factor in your desired overhang as well as making sure your joins are precise.
You don't want to change anything after taking your measurements either, as Homebuilding website editor Amy Willis explains. "I ended up three millimetres out with my quartz worktop measurements despite having templated it out with plywood. This was because we plastered one of the kitchen walls after measuring and ordering the worktop.
"This meant when the worktop was fitted, we had to cut into the newly plastered and painted wall to fit it onto the cabinets. Obviously if this had been a wooden worktop, we could have cut the worktop down to size but either way it was extra work that could have easily been avoided."
Amy spent over a decade in London editing and writing for The Daily Telegraph, MailOnline, and Metro.co.uk before moving to East Anglia where she began renovating a period property in rural Suffolk
2. Cutting kitchen worktop
Place your wooden worktop upside down on a stable surface, for example on a couple of saw horses, like this Excel Steel Sawhorse Heavy Duty Twin Pack from Amazon.
You'll need to mark out your cutting lines with a pencil, making sure they are all the correct measurements. Ideally try to retain the straight edge of the worktop on one side to save cutting two sides.
"A circular saw for cutting the edge will give you the best chance of a straight line, as long as you use a long straight guide with it. I tend to use long levels for this, alongside clamps fastened down firmly. Make sure the blade lines up with the pencil drawn line before you start too," adds Amy Willis. "Never cut freehand as this is unlikely to be straight even with the steadiest of hands."
Smooth down the sawn lines afterwards with sandpaper or a sander.
3. Install kitchen worktop
First make sure that both your kitchen cabinets are level before placing the worktop on top of the cabinets.
"This is a two person job, don't attempt to do it alone as you'll risk scuffing the worktop against your walls or anything else in the way, which can cause damage," explains Willis. "I'd suggest putting your best edge on the outside, usually the long uncut side, which may already have a nice bevel cut into the edge to finish it off on the visible edge.
"We also used little plastic shims from Screwfix between the cabinets and underside of the worktop to ensure our worktop was level when we installed it. You just stuff them in like wedges where needed using a level on top of your worktop as a guide."
In terms of fixing down the worktop, you want to avoid any fixings being visible from the surface. "With wood, you can potentially secure from underneath, inside the cabinets using angled brackets, pre-drilling your screw holes and screws that are the appropriate length," explains Willis.
Use metal or plastic angled brackets like these Polypropylene (PP) Assembly joints from B&Q to attach the worktop to the cabinet. A common method is to use these at the back of the cabinets and use screws to attach through the front rail.
Make sure to use the right size screws so that they don't come through the top of the worktop. On drawer cabinets you typically screw through the front and back rails to attach the worktop.
"With our quartz worktop, we used silicone to fix it down and relied on the weight of the worktop to stop it moving. I was surprised how effective this was, and it hasn't shifted once in the last four years," adds Amy Willis.
How to join two worktops together
Kitchen worktops will often need to be joined together to get the perfect fit. These can be two straight lengths for long expanses of worktop or corner joins to continue around the kitchen.
There are typically two methods for joining worktops. Thomas Oldham, Co-founder of UK Construction Blog explains how to create almost invisible joins, “For straight joins, carve precise recesses with a router, apply waterproof adhesive, and insert bolts.” He adds, “A router is invaluable for neat bolt recesses when joining worktops.”
The bolt recesses are on the underside of the worktop and are often round. You will also need to cut a channel for the bolt when using joining bolts like these Worktop Connecting Jointing Bolts from B&Q. Make sure to get the depth right, don’t over do it.
Oldham shares how to do corners, “For corners, make sure to cut the mitres at 45 degrees. Once the adhesive is applied, finish the job carefully, keeping the edges neat, especially near sinks. The result will be a polished, professional-looking finish."
An alternative and simpler option, though not so professional-looking in my opinion, is to use a joining strip like this Black Worktop End Cap Joint Strip from B&Q. Make sure to get the right depth and cut to fit.
Thomas has worked in the engineering and construction industry for over a decade, working on large scale projects for global clients such as Ford, Audi and Jaguar. He has spent the past four years using his expertise to develop the UK Construction Blog.
How to seal laminate kitchen worktop edges
There are typically two options for laminate worktops: laminate edging strips or a worktop end cap. An end cap like this GoodHome Nantua Silver effect Aluminium alloy Worktop end cap is easier to fit. Just cut to fit and screw into place.
To install an edging strip, apply adhesive, clamp into place, wipe off any excess adhesive and leave to dry. To finish, use a sharp blade to cut off excess and fine grade sandpaper.
FAQs
What is the easiest worktop to install?
Kitchen worktops come in a variety of guises with laminate, solid wood, marble and granite being the popular options. Wooden worktops are much easier to cut than stone and DIYers rarely have the correct tools or skills to cut stone, marble and granite.
These are expensive items so measuring and cutting needs to be done correctly, otherwise it could prove expensive. Matt Weatherill, head of installations, Wren Contracts shares, “Wren uses the latest cutting-edge, laser templating technology, which captures exact measurements, even in complex or irregularly shaped spaces, ensuring that the worktop fits perfectly the first time.”
Matt has extensive experience in the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom sectors and has been instrumental in driving the rapid and strategic growth of the business. With over five years at Wren, Matt has established a strong reputation for his leadership, attention to detail and ability to deliver innovative, market-leading solutions on time and on plan for housebuilders and developers of all sizes.
Do worktops sit directly on kitchen cabinets?
Standard everyday kitchen worktops sit directly on top of kitchen cabinets. They provide support and stability and offer the opportunity for the worktop and cabinet to be attached to each other to ensure the worktop stays in place.
What is the standard height for kitchen worktops?
The standard height can vary but Weatherill points out the popular option, “When considering the height of your worktops, 90cm is the recommended height” But this is not set in stone, “However, this can be completely tailored to your needs. If you are in need of a more accessible height, Wren Kitchens can help ensure your kitchen is completely bespoke.”
Kitchen cabinets typically come with adjustable legs and these often have around 40-50mm of play.
How much overhang should a kitchen worktop have?
Kitchen worktops typically sit on top of kitchen cabinets and always have an overhang at the front. Oldham says, “Start by measuring the cabinets carefully, leaving about 20 to 30mm for an overhang. Mark the saw lines on the underside of the worktop to help avoid visible chips when cutting.
Weatherill reinforces the point, “Ensure that your worktop has an overhang of at least 10-30mm to avoid any spillages falling directly onto the face of the cabinets.”
Doors are typically 20mm thick, so 30mm overhang on a cabinet will leave you with 10mm overhang when doors are added.
A new worktop can help transform a kitchen. Check out our kitchen remodel ideas, 30 Clever kitchen ideas to Make Your Space Work Harder and bespoke kitchens guides for inspiration.
EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this article included a quote from a purported expert whose credentials we have not been able to verify. The quote has been removed. We regret this lapse in our verification process and have updated our internal protocols to reduce the risk of recurrence.
