How to attach a countertop in a kitchen unit

The kitchen is one of the main rooms of any home, and the countertop is considered an indispensable element in it. Comfort during the cooking process depends on the location of this piece of furniture. The installation of this furniture can be carried out by both the master and the owner of the home, but with strict adherence to a number of rules.

Fastening the countertop in the kitchen set

Before you begin installing furniture, you need to select its dimensions and only then secure everything. This indicator is directly related to the size of the kitchen furniture, sink and stove. Attention is paid to the gap between the front edge of the furniture and the cutout made for the sink, and then the distance to the cutout area for the gas stove is considered.

What does that require

For installation you will need a number of elements:

• a set of different screwdrivers;
• electric jigsaw;
• drill or screwdriver;
• hammer;
• pencil and ruler;
• chisel;
• tape measure and level;
• square;
• self-tapping screws

Tabletop mounting methods

Attaching the product can be done in several ways:

1. Screws with a tapered expansion can be used to fasten furniture. This is the easiest and longest used method. Due to the presence of a cone-shaped expansion, when changing the dimensions of the product, slight mobility of the screw is created.The lid itself is securely attached to the body.
2. Z-shaped holders can also be secured. The advantages of this method are low cost, ease and accuracy of installation, and no need to purchase auxiliary structural parts.
3. Wooden clamps can replace the fastening method. The elements function similarly to Z-shaped holders. They can easily be mass-produced using scraps found in any woodworking project.
4. Fasten with figure-of-eight holders. When using this method, the bracket is installed in a small hole previously created using a Forstner drill. This element is secured with two screws: one is fixed to the body, the second to the back of the tabletop. When the board swells or contracts, the bracket rotates, preventing the lid from bending. The gap between fasteners should be 15-20 cm.
5. The table top is secured with spacers and grooves. 2-3 spacers with rectangular grooves are attached to the side frames of the headset. If the tabletop changes its width, the screws will move freely in the grooves, preventing the wood from deforming. Additional strips play the role of ties, increasing the rigidity of the body and preventing deformation of the drawer.

Attention! Having decided to opt for wooden clamps, you must follow the correct orientation of the fibers, this will increase the strength of the bracket.

How to attach a countertop in a kitchen unit: step by step

To attach the product to the kitchen unit yourself, you must follow the following plan:

1. The dimensions of the product are measured taking into account the dimensions of the headset and panel; for this, a sheet is applied to the installation site.The contours and areas where the sink and stove will be installed are drawn. Using a hacksaw, cut off the excess areas and use an electric jigsaw to create recesses for installing the sink and stove. It is imperative to take into account wall defects (irregularities and protrusions); if any, then recesses and slits are initially created. The created holes are sealed with aluminum reflective tape.
2. Having made the tabletop of the required size, the ends are treated with an adhesive substance; this is necessary for a high-quality fit of the product and elimination of holes. Then, the bar is secured with small self-tapping screws. Excess glue is thoroughly wiped off with acetone or white spirit.
3. After heating the iron, the edges of the tabletop are glued with an edge. After the tape has dried, you need to sand the edges of the surface. For high-quality placement of the tape, it must be carefully glued, every centimeter carefully smoothed.
4. The headset is adjustable. For the legs of the cabinets, use a level. If adjustment problems arise due to an uneven floor, then pieces of plastic, thick rubber or wood can be placed under the legs.
5. The rear upper parts of the cabinets are filled with silicone. Corners are fixed under the sink; they can be plastic or metal.
6. The tabletop is placed on the cabinets extremely carefully; it must be positioned accurately and evenly, after which it is pressed against the wall. It is necessary to pay attention to ensure that there are no gaps near the wall; for this, the sealant must be in close contact with the wall and the countertop. Next, the countertop is attached to the kitchen unit with self-tapping screws. Fastening is carried out in pre-created holes located under the countertop, sink and stove.
7. After completing the fastening work, it is recommended to install a decorated plinth along the edge of the tabletop and wall - this will improve the appearance of the set.

Important! If a corner tabletop is screwed on, it is imperative to hide the joint seams using an aluminum profile.

If you follow all the specified rules, then there should be no problems with installing the countertop. And then the owner of the premises will not only be able to save on installing furniture, but also improve his skills in the given field. The main thing is to do everything slowly and carefully, checking the accuracy of each step presented.