Original laminate from the 1970s
Original 1970s laminate with a rolled backsplash is the most common replacement we do — quartz or granite and a tile backsplash above.
Serving Northbrook & nearby Glenview, Highland Park
Countertop Installation in Northbrook, IL
New countertops in Northbrook: talk to a fabricator about slabs, templating and install dates.
- Crews working in Northbrook ZIP 60062
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Countertop problems we fix in Northbrook
Countertop replacement in Northbrook starts with a template and ends with a sink that is ready to use. We handle tear-out, templating, fabrication and installation, and plan seams where you will barely see them.
Undermount sink coming loose
A sagging undermount sink pulls away from the counter and leaks. New tops come with properly mounted sink clips or support.
Cracked or chipped stone
We look at whether a crack is cosmetic or structural. If the slab needs replacing, we match the layout and reuse openings when we can.
Counters that stain easily
Unsealed granite and marble absorb oil and wine. Quartz never needs sealing; natural stone needs regular sealing.
Seams that show or separate
Visible seams come from bad layout or templating. We plan seam locations and use color-matched epoxy.
Tile counters with dirty grout
Grout lines that never come clean and chipped tile edges are typical complaints. A solid slab is easier to clean and to work on.
Stained or burned laminate
Burn marks, peeling edges and swollen seams can't be fixed on laminate. A stone or quartz top solves it for good.
Speckled builder granite
Builder-grade granite with a busy pattern can be replaced with a quieter quartz or a veined natural stone.
What's included
- Material selectionHelp choosing quartz, granite, quartzite or wood, and picking your slab at the yard.
- Old countertop removalWe remove laminate, tile or stone and haul it away.
- Cabinet check and levelingWe level and shim the bases so stone sits flat and seams stay tight.
- Digital templatingPrecise templates of the installed cabinets, walls and appliances.
- FabricationCutting, edge profile, sink and cooktop cut-outs and faucet holes.
- Installation and seamsTops set, seams joined with color-matched epoxy, and edges cleaned.
- Bathroom vanity topsVanity tops cut from the same slab or remnants.
Materials and finishes
Solid surfaceA repairable, seamless option with built-in sinks.
Butcher blockWood tops add warmth and can be refinished; keep them oiled.
LaminateBudget-friendly tops in stone and wood looks.
Edge profilesEased square, bevel, half bullnose or ogee — the edge changes the whole look.
QuartzLow maintenance and consistent; the most popular choice for busy kitchens.
What the work looks like in Northbrook homes
Before
After
DetailBefore and after: a postwar bi-level in Northbrook
A postwar bi-level near Techny, a typical kitchen for Northbrook. Before: speckled laminate and stainless double sink. What bothered the owners most: worn laminate counters. The result: white quartz with soft gray veining countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet. Work included material selection, old countertop removal, plus fabrication.
Before
AfterGlenview kitchen, 1960s ranch: countertop installation
A 1960s ranch near The Glen, a typical kitchen for Glenview. What we started with: light beige laminate and stainless double sink. What bothered the owners most: worn laminate counters. Finished kitchen: black honed granite countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet. Work included old countertop removal, cabinet check and leveling, plus bathroom vanity tops.
Countertop Installation in Glenview →
Before
AfterHighland Park kitchen, 1950s ranch: countertop installation
The site: a 1950s ranch in Highland Park. What we started with: laminate with an aluminum edge band and stainless double sink. What bothered the owners most: worn laminate counters. Finished kitchen: warm walnut butcher block countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet. On site this meant material selection, old countertop removal, plus cabinet check and leveling.
Countertop Installation in Highland Park →
Before
AfterNorthbrook kitchen, 1960s ranch: kitchen backsplash installation
Finished: a white subway tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Northbrook →
Before
AfterNorthbrook kitchen, postwar Cape Cod: kitchen remodeling
Cabinets in forest green with matte black pulls, black honed granite counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Northbrook →Day by day
- Choose your materialVisit a slab yard or look at samples at home; we help you choose.
- TemplateA precise template of your cabinets, walls, sink and cooktop.
- FabricationSlabs are cut, edged and drilled for sink, faucet and cooktop.
- InstallationOld tops out, new tops in, seams joined and sink mounted — usually in a day.
- HookupFaucet, drain and disposal are reconnected once the sealant cures.
Countertop Installation questions from Northbrook homeowners
Will I be without a sink?
Briefly. The sink is reconnected soon after installation, once the adhesive has set.
Quartz or granite — which is better?
Quartz wins on low maintenance, granite on heat resistance and natural look. It comes down to how you cook.
How long from template to installation?
Usually one to two weeks, depending on the material. You get the installation date at the template visit.
Do you install laminate and solid surface too?
Yes. Modern laminate can look like stone or wood, and solid surface gives seamless, repairable tops.
Can I put hot pans or a toaster on quartz?
A toaster is fine. Hot pans straight from the stove should go on a trivet — high heat can mark the resin in quartz.
Do I need a Northbrook-registered contractor for countertop installation?
Village contractor license required, good for one year: general contractors $100; electrical $70. We take care of that before work starts.
What happens to the old appliance in Northbrook?
One bulk item per week at the curb free; white goods (stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers) handled separately, $30 each, scheduled with LRS at 844.633.3577. If you'd rather not deal with it, we haul old units and debris away.
What is the Northbrook building department phone number?
Permits go through Development & Planning Services, phone 847-664-4050. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for countertop installation in Northbrook?
It depends on the scope. Northbrook's rule in short: Village lists separate permit types: Single Family Alterations - Interior, Electrical (new wiring/outlets), and Plumbing (new fixtures). We handle the permit when one is needed with Development & Planning Services.
Do you work in my part of Northbrook?
Yes. Our crews work across Northbrook, including Techny, Downtown Northbrook — ZIP 60062 — and nearby Glenview, Highland Park, Mount Prospect.
Working in Northbrook
- A lot of Northbrook kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Northbrook homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Development & Planning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
TechnyDowntown Northbrook
ZIP 60062
Countertop Installation nearby
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Other kitchen services in Northbrook
Countertop RepairChips, cracks, seams and burns fixed without replacing the top.
Kitchen Backsplash InstallationTile backsplashes with clean lines and flush outlets.
Kitchen Sink Installation & ReplacementNew sinks, undermount and farmhouse styles.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.