How to Install Corian Worktops

Surface Preparation: Before You Start

Good outcomes begin with a tidy, level base and surface preparation. Empty cupboards, clear existing tops, and remove sinks, hobs, and taps. Check that carcasses are fixed square to the wall and that door gaps are even. Place a spirit level across the front and back rails of each unit and across any breakfast bar supports. Use packers or shims to correct low points. Any twist in the base will show in the finished surface and may stress the material over time.

Look at service runs so you know where water and electric lines sit. Mark valve positions, sockets, and isolation switches. Note wall bows or proud tiles that could affect a tight fit. If walls are out, plan a small scribe to the back edge rather than forcing the slab tight.

Measure and Plan for a Precise Fit

Create a simple plan of the kitchen run and any islands. Record lengths, depths, and corner angles. Measure twice and write measurements directly on the plan. Mark overhangs and any areas that need extra support, such as breakfast bars or spans across appliances. Confirm cut-out sizes for sinks and hobs using the maker’s templates. Note tap hole diameters and positions.

Plan where any seams will sit. Keep joins away from the centre of a sink or a hob and away from high splash zones when possible. If your chosen Corian pattern has a directional grain or veining, sketch the flow so adjoining pieces align.

Tools and Materials Checklist

Having everything to hand makes the process calmer and safer.

• Circular saw with a fine tooth blade suitable for solid surface
• Jigsaw and router with template guides for corners and cut-outs
• Clamps, work supports, and a stable bench
• Drill and pilot bits, screws for fixing timber rails or brackets
• Colour-matched two-part adhesive for solid surface, mixing nozzles, and a caulking gun
• Masking tape, straight edge, measuring tape, and a quality spirit level
• Abrasives for finishing, from coarse through to very fine micromesh pads
• Mineral spirits and lint-free cloths for cleaning during finishing
• PPE, including eye protection, gloves, ear protection, and a dust mask

Dry Fit and Secure the Worktop

Place the slabs on the units to check fit and alignment. Use spacers to lift the back edge slightly, then scribe the rear to suit any bows in the wall. Remove and trim carefully, then try again. Repeat until the rear edge sits close while the front shows an even overhang.

Provide continuous support. Fix timber rails across appliance gaps and fit brackets under breakfast bars. Use a small bead of flexible adhesive on the top rails, then set the pieces down gently. Do not force the slab into place; it should settle without strain. Re-check the level across the whole run.

Forming Joints and Cut-Outs

Where pieces meet, tape either side of the seam to keep the surface clean. Pull the edges together dry to confirm the fit. Apply colour-matched adhesive along both mating edges, then bring them together and clamp with seam setters or paired blocks and wedges. Wipe excess as you go. Follow the adhesive maker’s cure time, which is often around one hour, before you remove the clamps.

For cutouts, use the official template where available. Drill starter holes inside the waste area, then guide the jigsaw slowly to the layout line. Round internal corners with a router to reduce stress points. Support the waste piece as you finish the cut so it does not tear the edge. Dry fit the sink or hob to confirm size. For inset sinks, seal the underside of the rim with a continuous bead. For under-mount sinks, use the supplied clips or a proven rail system and seal the joint fully to keep it hygienic.

Sanding and Finishing for a Seamless Look

Once the seam has cured, level it with a block and a coarse abrasive, keeping strokes flat and controlled. Progress through the grades, widening the area slightly with each pass so the blend becomes invisible. Move to very fine pads to bring up the soft satin sheen that Corian is known for.

Break sharp edges to a gentle radius. Check the overall finish in natural and task lighting, then wipe with mineral spirits to remove any residue. Fit taps, hobs, and sinks, connect services, and run a final clean with a suitable surface cleaner.

Safety, Care, and When to Call a Pro

Worktops are heavy and awkward, so lift with two people and use supports. Keep blades sharp, manage dust, and secure offcuts. If your project involves complex shapes, long seams, coved upstands, or site joins in tight spaces, consider professional installation. A specialist will template, fabricate, install, and finish with factory-level tooling, saving time and reducing risk.

Day-to-day care is simple. Wipe spills promptly, use trivets for very hot pans, and use chopping boards to protect the surface. Light marks usually buff out with a non-scratch pad and a little soapy water. A trained fitter can refinish deeper scuffs.

Corian Worktops Installation Notes

Fixing method
Corian worktops sit on level cabinet rails and supports. A flexible adhesive is applied as a bedding layer in small beads. The slabs are then secured with discreet brackets or blocks where needed, especially beneath breakfast bars or across longer spans.

Adhesives for joins
A colour-matched two-part adhesive made for solid surface gives a strong, near-invisible bond. Use the correct mixing nozzles, apply an even bead along both edges, then allow the full cure time before sanding.

Supporting a breakfast bar
Provide continuous rails and fit sturdy brackets to carry the overhang. Follow the maker’s guidance for the maximum projection without legs. When in doubt, add support to reduce flex and keep seams stable.

Cutting and finishing on-site
On-site cutting and polishing are possible with care. Use the right blades and guides, round internal corners, and sand in stages. Many homeowners prefer a fabricator to do most shaping off-site, then complete scribing and finishing in the room to limit dust and noise.

Ready for a Quote

If you would like to supply only slabs, a full template, and fit service or friendly advice from people who work with Corian every day, the team at Premium Worktops can help. Ask for a free, no-pressure quotation for your Corian kitchen and let our specialists handle the details so your new surface looks flawless from the first day.