How to cut a hole in the countertop for a sink

How to cut a hole in the countertop for the sink with a jigsaw

The times when the sink in the kitchen was a metal sink, screwed to the wall and equipped with two taps, are long gone. Today, design features allow you to place it directly in the countertop. It can be overhead or built-in. You won’t see any parts of the sink on top of the countertop. Let’s consider the first option today, as it is the most suitable for self-installation.

In the photo. installation of a rectangular sink into the countertop

How to cut the sink into the countertop: useful tips and step-by-step instructions

If you install a new kitchen set, then at the very end inevitably arises the question of how to cut the sink into the countertop so that everything eventually looked solid, and the water did not leak. There are several types of sinks, and each has its own features in terms of installation.

How to cut a hole in the countertop for a sink

Analyzing the queries people use to come to this blog, sometimes you’re a little surprised. Well, judge for yourself: people are looking online for information on how to make a hole to install a sink!

At first glance. a childish question. What to do there: take a jigsaw, and cut.

But this is, for example, from my point of view. And in this case, it is fundamentally wrong.

If a person has never encountered this, and it is the first time in his life he needs to cut this hole, how to be?

He’s looking for an answer on the Internet. For example, he finds himself on this blog, and there are only smart guys, and information about some angular modules with incomprehensible arithmetic formulas.

He doesn’t need formulas. He needs to avoid “screwing up” the countertop,

On this occasion, I take into account the seriousness of the situation, and wrote a little explanation.

This can be done in two ways (and in both cases, it is done with an ordinary electric jigsaw).

Worker-peasant way it is done as follows: Near the mowing line marking the hole (towards the hole itself), a hole is drilled with a drill, for example, 10mm, so that the jigsaw blade could be inserted into it.

After that, the desired niche is sawed, but attention! When the cut approaches to a stage of the end, someone should from below (it is not convenient to do it oneself) support the cut out part, differently, if it will break off by itself at the end, it will break a plastic covering in a chipped place, and will spoil a table-top.

In the normal way it is done almost the same way as in the above version, except that instead of helping the “second person”, the cutting line (when it already comes to the final stage), or next to it, is sealed with scotch tape.

In this way, the cut will not fall off (chipping the plastic), but will remain hanging, held in place by the tape.

To my shame, I should note that I still use the first method (maybe because it’s faster). But one way or another. the main thing is to do everything clearly and evenly.

Yes, in the process of cutting, there will be small chips on the surface of postforming. it’s not a problem.

How to perform such works independently

As an example, consider installing the sink in a countertop made of particle board. Type of installation. above the table surface. The entire work process can be broken down into the following steps:

The work should begin with the preparation of the necessary tools. Make sure that all the necessary fasteners are supplied with the sink. From the tools you will need:

• construction pencil;
• Level, angle and tape measure;
• A drill and drill bit for woodwork;
• electric screwdriver;
• an electric jigsaw;
• Silicone and self-tapping screws.

You can get to work. Make sure you do not get in the way of other objects. It is desirable that the countertop is not fixed to the tambour frame. If the table is already assembled. no problem, you can also saw a hole. Mark the table carefully. Consider how this is done under a rectangular sink:

• With a construction pencil, draw two scythe lines, perpendicular to each other. At the place of their intersection will be a drainage hole.
• Turn the sink over, place it on the countertop and outline its contour. Do not forget to consider the level of the edge of the sink in relation to the table door.
• We measure the width of the edge of the sink and draw the inner contour. The cutting will be carried out on this mowing line.
• Once again double-check all parameters and start cutting.

Use an electric jigsaw to cut the hole. To insert the saw it is necessary to drill technological apertures in a table top. They are usually made with a drill in the corners of the contour. All drilling work is performed on the front side of the tabletop. It will give the opportunity to do the work without any kind of chipping of the laminated areas of the table. Now you can take the jigsaw and cut a hole along the inner contour. After that you should preliminarily try on your sink to the obtained hole.

Take note! If there is a little backlash, you have cut correctly. If there is no backlash. additionally trim the edges of the hole with the jigsaw.

Now you need to deburr the edges of the hole. It is necessary so that the edge irregularities do not interfere with the sealing of the joints. This work is done with sandpaper of fine grain size. After cleaning, we carry out sealing. Two methods can be used:

The first method is good, but it should be done with great care so as not to miss areas of the countertop. It is best if you do not spare the sealant and apply it with a decent reserve. The second method is more difficult. PVA glue needs to dry for almost an hour. But it reliably protects from moisture penetration.

How To Cut a Hole For A Sink In A Laminate Countertop

Cut out the template

Align template

Cut out

Use the inside diameter of the template

Trying on the sink

Assembling the sink

Connect the lines

Putting on the sealant

You install the faucet

Filler can be used instead of sealant

The choice of a sink and preparatory measures

It is not necessary to understand step by step how to perform the installation. It is also not necessary to know the exact dimensions. You will probably be able to do without a jigsaw.

But all this will be possible if you ask for help from professionals, who will take care of all these issues. But this service is not the cheapest, and the price for installation sometimes exceeds the cost of the sink itself. So you can draw your own conclusions. But you have to choose the product by yourself for sure. Experts and experienced home masters advise to choose a deep sink (sink) and not very high matching faucet. Still, the faucet also plays a role in this case.

Deep sink allows you to avoid splashing water, and dirty water, while washing dishes. Plus a deep product gives the possibility to stack quite a large number of dishes.

Not the least of these is the material used.

The easiest sinks in terms of installation are rightly considered to be those made of stainless steel. The alternative is enameled steel, but its durability is lower.

To install the sink itself, cut a hole for the mixer, fix it on the countertop under the wood. Made of fiberboard or other materials, you will need to prepare a certain set of tools and materials.

• Jigsaw. Preferably electric. And buy several interchangeable nozzles at once, because beginners often encounter their breakage due to unsure movements;
• Self-tapping screws, screwdrivers or screwdrivers. Actually, the fasteners and tools for tightening them;
• Fixings. Fixings for sinks and basins are often included. Make sure of this when buying;
• Sealant. Make sure it is water-resistant, so it can withstand the further loading of water and moisture.

Sealant treatment is made all around the perimeter of the landing place. In this way you will ensure effective waterproofing.

If the countertop is made of particleboard or fiberboard, then it is doubly important to use a sealant.

How to cut the sink into the countertop by yourself instruction with video

To cut the sink into the kitchen unit countertop is not as easy as it may seem. It is not just a question of how it will be installed, the main thing is how to embed it correctly? It must be understood that the wrong embedding can lead to the fact that because of water leaking under the edge of the sink over time, the countertop itself will start to get wet, increase in volume and deform. Therefore, the durability of countertops largely depends on how properly the sink is installed.

First of all when buying a sink you must find out how it is fixed. The point is that sink fasteners offered not only have different configuration, but also different quality. That’s why you have to find out right away, if this type of fastening will securely hold “your” sink and not the sink in general. In other words, the fixing is chosen individually for each model of sink.

The first step is marking

Determine the place on the countertop for the sink. The sink must not rest against the wall or be at the very edge of the sink. But the main thing is its position must provide comfortable use. Turn the sink over, lay it on the countertop, and outline the outline. It is made with a pencil, which traces can be easily erased afterwards. After that measure the distance from the edge of the sink to the mounting eyelets. The same distance is indented from the mowing line of the outlined contour inside the contour. Using the marks obtained, mark the new contour. the inner one. The obtained “internal” figure we’ll cut out to install the sink in its place.

The second step is sawing out the table top

Sawing out the unwanted part of the countertop under the sink. It is better to do it with an electric jigsaw, but it can also be done with a usual hacksaw, followed by trimming the edges. To insert the blade into the countertop, drill a hole inside the contour, close to the mowing line. If the cloth won’t fit, you need to enlarge the hole. After that we start sawing out the outline on the scythe line.

When sawing pay attention to the fact that the decorative surface of the countertop did not feel too much pressure, saw carefully, otherwise the front surface will be a lot of chips. However, this is what happened to me when I first carved the sink by myself.

The third step is working out the edges

Finish the edge of the “cut-out” from the edge. This is done with a file or sandpaper. After aligning the edges of the hole, we lubricate the entire edge with silicone sealant. Try to coat the entire line of the cut with sealant, it is necessary to protect the countertop from possible ingress of water.

The service life of the countertop depends to a large extent on the quality of this stage of the work of sink embedding. Then you put the bracket on the sink and install the special band included in the set, leaving a space for filling the silicone.

The fourth step is to insert the sink into the countertop

After pouring the silicone in the prepared groove, bending the fasteners, we put the assembled set into the prepared hole. The seat of the sink should be tight, if necessary, turn it a little. Finally, carefully tighten all of the installed fasteners.

It remains only to remove the “popped” when tightening the silicone and let it dry. That is all, we have carved the sink into the worktop ourselves, and we can use it.

How to install the sink

To install the sink yourself, proceed only if this service is not included in the price list of the countertop manufacturer. At home to perform such work is quite realistic, but you should pay attention to some non-obvious points, which are known only to professional assemblers of furniture.

So, the sink is installed into the countertop by sink-in method. First of all, the hole is cut out in the center of the solid block according to exact dimensions, and the edges are properly processed. Then the sink is inserted, its body is fixed to the back side with special fasteners, and the gap between the metal and the countertop is carefully sealed. The installation is completed with the installation of the finishing plumbing, sewage trap or waste chopper.

The basic requirements for installing a sink are threefold: strength of attachment, a tight fit and thorough sealing against moisture. The most commonly used base for countertops is particle board with a thickness of 4060 mm. This material is very sensitive to high humidity, which is quite typical for the sink area. Because of poor quality installation the edges of the hole are loosened, which may require replacing the entire countertop or even the entire set.

The best way to connect two countertops at right angles of 90 degrees?

L-shaped arrangement of furniture in the kitchen is a common option for most apartments, especially in older homes. For the arrangement of the set, the connection of countertops at an angle of 90 degrees in a small area of the room is the only option that allows you to fit everything you need. This leaves room for a dining table, if there is no overlap of rooms.

The best way to solve the problem is to level the wall before installing the furniture and achieve right angles and a flat wall surface.

Connecting by means of an aluminum profile may be more practical than Euro sawing. The aluminum profile is treated with silicone sealant during assembly, which makes the joint airtight. The joint becomes impermeable to water, so its location near the sink will not affect its life and appearance.

The Eurosaw in this case can start to swell from water entering the gap. If the coating is plastic, the water will not spoil it, but more often for the kitchen worktop is used chipboard, Particle board. If it gets wet, especially if it gets wet regularly, it begins to increase in size. To prevent this, before installing carefully cover the ends of waterproof sealant, colorless plumber’s sealant will do. You have to work everything, all the cuts.

A convenient option for the location of parts of the assembly panel is a double connection with a trapezoidal detail. it is placed in the corner, at an angle of 135 0 in relation to the other two. Construction with a corner element has 2 joints, which can also be joined with Eurosaw or closed with profiles. Trapeze is not easy to make on your own, factory-made versions are quite expensive. But this is one way of connecting. with the insertion, which will create a more comfortable working surface and work the corner better.

In principle, you can make a euro saw for a tabletop yourself if you buy a solid board, but you need a special tool and solid skills to do it. In this sense, the self-assembly of the surface under the slat seems more accessible. normal connections can be made by a person, even without professional skills, if you put effort and figure out how to connect two countertops with each other.

Eurostitch (photo) looks more accurate and forms a surface without protruding parts. One part is machined end, the other. a longitudinal edge. The difficulty is that the cut along almost the entire length is straight, and then it goes smoothly to the corner.

All cuts are treated with sealant on two parts. On monochrome surfaces, especially dark surfaces, the connection of countertops will be almost invisible, but if there is a textured pattern, you can identify the joint.

If you do not buy parts with prefabricated cuts for joining, you can order refinishing of the joint at the place of purchase of the board or find a production with the appropriate equipment.