Do you want to know if countertops should be installed before or after appliances? It's critical to have correct measurements and all of your appliances purchased before any countertops are installed when redesigning a kitchen. We'll go over which appliances must be installed before your countertops (such as those that sit flush with cabinets) and a few tips and techniques for the process (be sure you have all of your appliances before starting).
At a Glance
Do You Install Countertops Before Appliances?
Which Appliances Should Be Installed Before Countertops?
4 Tips on Installing Countertop
Do You Install Countertops Before Appliances?
"Do you install countertops before appliances?" is a typical question among homeowners and remodelers. Your contractor may make the decision for you, but keep in mind that countertops are often fitted before appliances.
Be careful to double-check all measurements if you're designing your countertops around your appliances. Let's take a look at this often asked kitchen remodeling topic and see what has to be done before your project is finished.
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Do Countertops or Appliances Go First?
Your countertops will almost always need to be set and put before your appliances are installed. Let's take a look at the best practices for each of these everyday appliances.
Refrigerators: Your new refrigerator must be delivered before any countertops can be fitted. Because countertops should be put first, it's critical that the specifications for this item be accurate.
Cooktops: A new cooktop must be delivered to your home before countertop measurements can be collected. In most cases, your contractor will measure your new cooktop, place the countertops, and fit the cooktop in afterward.
Sinks: A sink must be present in the home while the countertops are being installed. A specialist would most likely take a mold of your sink or the sink itself to properly measure the countertops.
Which Appliances Need to be Installed Before Countertops?
A few appliances must be installed before the countertops can be put in. If this is the case, the individual installing the countertops must double-check all measurements.
- Oversized Fridges: If you've bought a refrigerator that's considered large capacity, it should be fitted before the countertops. A large-capacity refrigerator will have different dimensions than a standard refrigerator.
- Stoves: As previously stated, a new stove must be bought and installed before the countertops can be installed. This is especially important if your stove is custom-made for you.
- A Limited or Broad Range: A range's normal size is 30 inches, but if you've bought one that's larger or smaller, your installer will need to know so that the specifications may be customized.
- A Drop-In Cooktop: Because a drop-in cooktop is tailored to cabinets, it must be fitted before countertops or meticulously measured.
- Dishwashers: Although you don't need to measure your dishwasher, it's a good idea to install it before the countertops. This will ensure that your dishwasher does not get detached from the cabinets behind it. Although most installers are aware that a conventional dishwasher is 24 inches wide, it is still a good idea to let them know.
4 Tips on Installing New Countertops
Countertop installation is a messy and time-consuming process, but with these tips, you can prepare your house to ensure the least amount of noise and dust.
- Use plastic sheets to cover vents and open entrances to keep the debris from spreading throughout your home. If you're having your countertops cut on-site, make careful to protect your furniture and rugs.
- Remove paintings and photographs from the walls to speed up the procedure and make it easier for installers to enter and exit the kitchen securely.
- Because countertops sit on top of cabinets, they should be installed after the cabinetry is installed.
- Before taking final measurements, double-check that all appliances are at your home or that you have their precise dimensions.
How to Install Countertops
Whether you have a contractor coming in to install your countertops or you have decided to do it yourself, there is a general process for this installation.
- Prepare the Area: Before anything can happen in your kitchen remodel, the area has to be prepped. That means removing the range, sink, disposal, and drain. Remember to disconnect the water and the drains before you start.
- Remove Existing Countertops: Kitchen renovations take time, but a way to make it go faster is by cutting the sealant alongside the backsplash and removing any bolts or screws to remove the old countertops. Also, you or your contractor can use the old countertops on a template for the new ones.
- Cut Countertops: Next for your countertop installation, you will want to cut the new countertops with a fine-tooth saw blade to match the length of the backsplash.
- Check the Fit of the Countertops: Aim to fit the mitered corner tightly in place. You can use pieces of tape to mark the top of the backsplash to ensure you are measuring and fitting the countertops correctly.
- Make Cut-Outs for Appliances: Appliance installation is tricky, and you need to ensure that each appliance is measured correctly. Before anything is set, make cut-outs of your appliances so you can see where you may need to trim your countertops.
- Secure Your New Countertops: Kitchen countertop replacements need to be securely installed with a drill. You can add angle brackets inside any cabinets to secure them further.
A Convenient Guide to Countertop Types
When redesigning a kitchen, there are many different types of countertops to pick from.
- Granite: Granite is a timeless classic, yet it is an expensive material. However, if you want to turn your new kitchen into a luxurious place, granite is the way to go. Because it's so large and heavy, installation costs may rise.
- Marble: Installing marble countertops is another exquisite option for a high-end kitchen. This material is often exclusively used on islands and has a high price tag. Marble is heatproof and waterproof in most circumstances, increasing the value of your property when it comes time to sell it.
- Quartz: Quartz countertops are becoming increasingly popular in kitchen remodels. Quartz is low-maintenance and does not require annual sealing. If you're thinking about getting quartz countertops, find out where and how they were created. It may be created cheaply in some situations, but you may see warping and yellowing with time.
- Ceramic Tile: Ceramic tile is ideal for kitchen remodels on a budget. If you want to build your own countertops, this material is reasonably simple to do so, and it's also simple to keep clean.
- Butcher-Block: For farmhouse kitchen ideas, this material is hard to surpass. You may chop poultry or vegetables straight on this material, which is easy to clean and maintain.
FAQs
Let’s review a few questions regarding countertops and appliances.
Do you install appliances or cabinets first?
Installing appliances first will allow your kitchen to be functional while you wait for the cabinetry to be fully installed.
Do sinks get installed before countertops?
It’s best practice to wait 24 hours after your countertops are installed to set up your new sink.
Do you install countertops before appliances is an important question to ask before you begin your kitchen renovations. Make sure to measure and re-measure and lay down tarps so you don’t ruin other kitchen appliances. Aztec Appliance is here to help you with any questions you may have!
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Learn More: How to Properly Measure for Your New Appliance