How to Install New Kitchen Countertops

Countertops serve as the primary workhorse of your kitchen, bearing the brunt of daily meal prep, spills, and heavy traffic. Upgrading them is one of the most effective ways to transform a tired room, but the success of the installation depends almost entirely on the foundation—your base cabinets. If the cabinets are not square and level, the countertops will eventually crack or show unsightly gaps at the seams. Preparation is where most installers save themselves from future headaches. By taking the time to shim every low point on your cabinet frames and ensuring the walls are accounted for, you create a stable, flat plane for your new material. Whether you choose laminate, wood, or stone, the steps are largely the same: measure twice, level once, and secure with patience.

  1. Strip the Old Counter Out. Disconnect the sink plumbing and remove any screws or clips holding the old countertop to the cabinet frames. Use a utility knife to slice through the caulk at the wall backsplash before prying the counter off with a pry bar.
  2. Find Every Dip and Bump. Place a long level across all your base cabinets in every direction. Identify high spots and low spots to see where you need to add shims or shave down the cabinet frame.
  3. Trace Walls Before Committing. Place the new countertop sections on the cabinets without adhesive to ensure a perfect fit against the walls. Use a scribe tool to trace any wall irregularities onto the back of the backsplash, then trim the material accordingly.
  4. Marry the Miter Joint. If your counter has a miter joint, apply a high-quality wood glue or stone adhesive to the faces. Pull the joint tight using miter bolts underneath the counter until the surface is seamless.
  5. Lock It Down Underneath. Once perfectly positioned, drill pilot holes through the corner blocks or stretchers inside your cabinets up into the underside of the countertop. Use screws that are long enough to bite, but verify they won't pierce through the finished top surface.
  6. Seal the Edge Seamlessly. Run a thin bead of 100% silicone caulk along the joint where the countertop meets the wall. Smooth the bead with your finger or a caulk tool for a professional, watertight transition.