Now it’s time to install the countertop and sink. This poster details the installation care and maintenance of our solid wood countertops.
When measuring and sawing the solid wood tops throughout this step, we suggest placing them on sawhorses for easiest handling. Once you’ve finished Step 5, it’s a good idea to hire professionals to connect the water, gas or electricity, and to install the oven, dishwasher and lighting.
1. Position the countertop Lay the countertop on top of the base cabinets, allowing 1/8" at the back wall, and a smaller space against the side wall or high cabinet. If you’re installing tops in an "L" shape, the two sections must meet in a butt joint. (Do not make angle or mitre-cut joints.) These steps allow the counter to undergo normal expansion and contraction.
2. Measure the counter Measure the counter from the end of the base cabinet out, allowing for the cover panel plus a 1/2" overhang. Mark with a pencil on the finished side if you’ll be using a handsaw and on the underside if using a power saw.
3. Saw the countertop If you’re sawing by hand, we recommend using a fine-toothed handsaw for control. To avoid splintering the countertop, tape over the area to be cut. If you’re using a circular saw, turn the counter face down and clamp a straight-edge in place to guide the saw along the cut line. Finish the cut edge with your file.
4. Mark a spot for the sink With the countertop in place, trace the inside of the base cabinet on the underside of the countertop. This helps assure that the sink cutout will be aligned correctly. Then, place the sink upside down on the underside of the countertop, positioning it correctly side to side and front to back. Trace around the edge of the sink with a pencil.
Using your pencil and a straight edge, draw a "cut" line inside this line, according to the directions that came with your sink.
5. Saw the sink hole Place the countertop on sawhorses. Drill a 1/2" hole for the jigsaw blade at all four corners of the cut line. Following this same cut line, saw the hole for the sink unit.
6. Seal the sink cutout To prevent moisture from penetrating the countertop, apply a polyurethane seal along the cut edges with a paintbrush.
7. Trim the cabinet top rails Fit the countertop back into place on the base cabinet. Check that the sink hole is not obstructed by the top frame rails of the base cabinet. If it is, you’ll need to trim the rails so that the sink will fit properly.
8. Install the sink Lift off the countertop and turn it upside down, placing it back on your saw horses. Install the sink according to the sink manufacturer’s instructions.
9. Secure the countertop Your countertop should be secured as shown using the hardware provided. The slotted brackets allow the counterop to expand and contract normally. Set countertops in place, allowing the same gaps as when you measured. Locate attachment points at regular intervals and drill pilot holes before securing the top.
10. Prepare wood countertop for use Your solid wood countertop from IKEA was pretreated at the factory to condition and protect it until installation. To prepare it for use, sand the surface with a fine sandpaper and finish it with IKEA BEHANDLA approved woodblock oil.
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