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How to Attach a Countertop to Cabinets

Jared Curtis

Attaching a countertop to a cabinet can be accomplished in a short amount of time. Although there are different types of countertops, most of them come with a 3/4-inch plywood bottom. This allows you to install screws through the base cabinet top into the countertop.

You can install countertops yourself.

An assistant will help ensure the project goes smoothly. Countertops can be awkward to set in position without damaging walls.

  1. Place the countertop onto the base cabinets. Countertops are cut tight, so it is important to use caution and not scratch your walls. An assistant can help position the top to ensure no walls are damaged.

  2. Slide the drawers from the base cabinets as far as they will extend. If your drawers have removable drawer slides, press the lever and remove the drawer from the cabinet. Some drawers allow you to remove them by lowering the front of the drawer box; this will allow the roller on the slide to release from the track.

  3. Fasten the countertop to the cabinets by drilling 1 1/4-inch grabber screws through the cabinet top into the countertop using a power drill. Place the screws roughly six inches apart. Install screws in the front and rear of the cabinet.

  4. Fill any gaps between the countertop and the walls using a caulking gun and an appropriate caulk color. Wipe excess caulk off the countertop using a wiping cloth.