Cutting a kitchen worktop: How to create a sleek countertop

The following instructions are for how to cut a kitchen countertop made of wood or a wood composite.

Important: Be sure to wear safety goggles and ear protection when sawing! Pay attention to occupational safety at each step to protect yourself and your health. You can find more important information in our DIY safety precautions guide.

Worktops are available in a wide variety of materials - from solid wood and laminate to stainless steel and concrete. Wood and wood composites have the distinct advantage that they are easy to work with if you want to cut the kitchen worktop yourself.

For all other materials, the cutting should be done by a specialist. This is especially true for concrete given that, depending on its length, a concrete worktop can exceed 500kg in weight.

Below you will find a few general tips and tricks that will show you the best way to cut a kitchen worktop.

Before you reach for the saw, you must make precise measurements of your worktop. Take extra care with this, because inaccuracies not only affect the appearance, but can also lead to structural deficiencies. It would be a shame if the countertop warped or even cracked shortly after you installed it.

Begin to measure your countertop only after all the cabinets and other kitchen appliances have been installed and accounted for. Sketch out how your kitchen will look first and enter all measured values. It is also important to account for any unevenness in the wall before cutting your kitchen worktop.

Walls are often a little crooked or uneven, particularly in older houses. A straight worktop is unlikely to sit flush against the average wall.

To transfer the exact trajectory of the wall to the wood, place the board atop the cabinets, flush with the wall where possible and stick masking tape to the rear for easier marking.

Determine the maximum distance of any uneven parts of the wall from the wood. Transfer this value to a scrap piece of wood and drill a hole at that distance, large enough to fit a pencil. Now, gently run the piece of wood along the wall, tracing the unevenness with the pencil in the hole.

The wall shape should now be transferred exactly to the masking tape. This is the best way to cut a worktop for an uneven wall so that it fits perfectly.

If you want to fit the worktop into a nook or corner, it should not be cut exactly to the measured length. Wood expands with heat and so requires a small margin of space to expand into.

Measuring the cutouts for a sink or strove can be done in two different ways:

• Measure: Measure the width and length of the components and transfer the measurements to the countertop using an angle measure. Now, draw another shape that is roughly 1-2cm smaller than the original lines. This prevents the stove or sink from simply slipping through the recess later.

• Trace: Place the hob and sink upside down on the worktop and trace the outlines with a pencil. Again, draw another shape that is 1-2cm smaller on all sides. Some manufacturers also include stencils with their products, making it easy to trace and cut.

The best way to cut a kitchen countertop is with a handheld circular saw or plunge-cut saw and a guide rail. If you do not have a guide rail to hand, then a wooden slat will also do the job. Measure the distance of the saw blade from the guide edge. Secure the wooden slat or guide rail parallel with the cut line and secure with clamps. Proceed to carefully cut the excess length.

There are various ways to join two countertops together at a corner. The easiest way is to simply place them side by side. However, you could also easily cut them in a much more aesthetically pleasing way:

• Add a corner piece: Add an additional corner piece where the two countertops meet. This can be in the same style as the original countertops or different to add an interesting focal point.
• Butt joint: Cut the worktops straight and push them directly against each other so that the head of one piece rests against the side of the other.

• Mitre cut: Cut the two panels at a 45-degree angle to create a more stylised joint.

• Create a panel joint: This is the most difficult but also most impressive-looking joint. Square pieces or ‘panels’ are cut from the edges of each countertop so that they slot together like a jigsaw piece. This is only recommended for experienced DIYers with the correct tools and equipment.

You can create the cut-outs for components such as the hob and sink either with a jigsaw or with a plunge saw. You can prevent the edges from fraying or chipping by cutting from the bottom of the kitchen countertop or by applying masking tape to the top. There are also special jigsaws with chip guards. You can also use a saw blade with reversed teeth, but make sure that the visible side is on top.

In the case of worktops made of solid wood or a wood composite material, it is advisable to coat the cut edges with silicone after sawing or to mask them with sealing tape to prevent water damage. Be sure to use heat-resistant silicone for the recess of the hob.

Of course, it is possible to have your countertop cut to size by a professional. However, doing it yourself can save significant costs on both materials and labour.

Estimating the cost of a new worktop depends on:

• Labour costs
• The size and finish of the countertop
• Desired materials

In-house carpentry is typically more expensive than having the work done at a hardware store or kitchen studio. Here are some general prices you could expect to pay:

If you want to have corner joints and cut-outs made in the hardware store, then providing exact measurements is important.  It is more convenient to have a carpenter handle this onsite, but it is usually more expensive.

We spend a lot of time in our kitchens – whether cooking alone and enjoying some ‘me time’ or eating and socialising together with friends and family. That is why furnishing your kitchen in a stylish and practical way that reflects your wants and needs is particularly satisfying.

Have you always dreamed of having a kitchen island, for example? Our guide on the best way to cut a kitchen countertop will work for that, too. Would you rather start smaller? How about making your own herb shelf or a wine rack?

Do you like to take the cooking outside when the weather permits? See our guide for building your own outdoor kitchen. Or get the drinks flowing with a garden bar made from pallets.

Is your garden very small? Our DIY folding bar is the perfect space saver and even includes matching bar stools and an ingenious earth fridge that does not require power. Another must-have on your patio is your own DIY barbecue!

After a good cooking or barbecue session, make yourself comfortable by the firepit in your garden and see the evening in with some cosy outdoor lighting and good company.