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A sink being installed in a kitchen countertop

Kitchen Countertops: DIY Options

Kitchen countertops are the most important part of any kitchen. They can set the mood of your entire room, and they will be used more than any other part of your kitchen. If you want to install your countertops on your own, here are some tips and tricks to help you along the way.

Granite

Granite can be ordered in the perfect size you need, so you can install them yourself, but these materials are very heavy. Make sure you have a lot of help for the heavy lifting and that you prepare your countertop foundation before installing. Granite countertops do not require sealant, making self-installation even easier for homeowners.

Quartz

Quartz countertops are made of natural stone, and therefore they are very, very heavy. These countertops are cut off in natural slabs, and if they are not handled properly and professionally, they can crack before you even install them. It’s best to hire a professional for this job, and make sure whomever you hire is certified to install quartz. This is definitely a good time to pay someone else to do it for you. You may think you’ll save money by doing it yourself, but if you damage your countertops you’ll end up spending more in the long run.

Marble

Like quartz, marble is a natural stone and will weigh quite a lot. If you want to avoid a major disaster, hire a professional. Once again, it may cost you more initially, but if you install these countertops incorrectly or accidentally drop or crack your material, you will end up paying quite a bit more in the end. Marble is not budget-friendly, so if you’re going to go with this material, shell out a little more to have it installed properly.

Concrete

Concrete countertops may be the easiest kind to install on your own. If you do decide to install these on your own, make sure you reinforce your foundation in order to keep your concrete countertops sturdy and stable. You can buy concrete already cut to fit your countertops, or you can mix your own if you are experienced enough in this department.  Make sure to have another person handy to help you do any heavy lifting as well as to help you during the concrete pouring. This is not a one-person job. Concrete installation can be very cheap when you do it yourself, but don’t forget to add in the costs of any rental equipment you may need.

Last Updated: November 10, 2014