Tips for Installation of Kitchen Counter

The secret to a good countertop installation is preparation — and installing a involves a lot more than considering which materials to use. Counter installation is one of the last things to happen in your kitchen or bath renovation. Before your installer shows up to template, all cabinets must be permanently installed — nothing can move between template and install. 

Below you'll find information you'll need to be prepared with on template day and helpful tips for after the counters are installed.

One is the height of countertop , different people and tasks require different counter heights. If custom cabinets are not in your budget, one way to vary the finished height of the counter is to use materials of different thicknesses set on standard cabinets. A standard counter is 36 inches off the floor, but if you have someone tall in your family, 39 inches may be a more comfortable height. Here, a butcher block set lower than adjacent tops gives the person chopping more leverage.

Another one is the support of it. In most spots, your cabinetry will provide the support for thes, but think about what will support the counter around the appliances. A slide-in range like the one pictured has a 2-inch strip of counter behind the cooking surface. Because it is tricky to move two larges connected by a 2-inch strip, this spot will often be seamed together onsite. Make sure you install wood blocking flush with the top of the adjacent cabinets so the contractor can properly attach this strip. 

Another common trouble spot is where a counter ends on a dishwasher. The dishwasher can't support the counter, so provide structural support on the side — ideally more than a ?-inch fill panel.