It sounds like you found an installer, but you didn't realize that you chose an expensive design feature until you saw the pricing.

If you install light strips, it will look like you installed cheap light strips underneath and not like you have a custom backlit/glowing counter.

@chispa: "If you install light strips, it will look like you installed cheap light strips underneath and not like you have a custom backlit/glowing counter."

One installs panels beneath the countertop to prevent this. Examples:

• Tresco Lightint LED Snap Panels - Installation video
• Globack LED panels (custom) - Installation youtube
• Light Tape (custom) - DIY video

Thank you! Yes absolutely correct i had no idea it would be that expensive to have a lit countertop. Do the panels require to be installed by an electrician or can this be a DIY project?

"Do the panels require to be installed by an electrician or can this be a DIY project"

These installations strike me more as construction projects, not electrical projects. The LED lights are 12 or 24 volts and require a transformer so you'd need an electrical box or outlet installed inside your cabinet to power the lights. Low-voltage wiring you can certainly do yourself. I'd watch a few videos to decide whether you're up to the task. Note that the Globack and Light Tape products are custom i.e., you provide the countertop dimensions to the company and it cuts the product to match. The Snap Panels (and there are large panels that work the same way) are not custom; you fit/cut them to the countertop.

• Backlighting With Light Tape Introduction
• Outdoor Backlit / Underlit Countertop Installation / BBQ Island
• Backlit / Underlit Countertop Installation
• Snap Panel

Unless you are a GC and an electrician rolled into one, with a stone fabricating business on the side, none of this is DIY. It requires too much expertise, skill, and brute strength.

Who said he's fabricating a countertop? He's putting an underlayment on his island. One doesn't have to be a general contractor to cut plywood, drill holes and attach LEDs; and he doesn't have to be an electrician to plug in a transformer and route some low voltage wires to the LEDs.

I’m sorry for the confusion. The countertop will definitely not be cut by me, we have a fabricator lined up. We just want to know if we can install the lights ourselves or if it has to be done by an electrician. We paid our GC for the stone in advance and later found out he never paid for it. He screwed us over and walked away without completing the project and our money. We’ve had to pay for the stone again and now have to figure out how to install the lights ourselves to makeup for some of that loss.

According to these instructions, whether plywood is required to support a quartz countertop is dependent on the thickness of the countertop. Support may also be required to support the countertop if it extends over the edge of the island. However, when installing LED panels beneath a countertop, the entire surface would need to be covered to support the LED panels. This youtube video, "Outdoor Backlit / Underlit Countertop Installation / BBQ Island" shows the installation of SLABLite LED Panels and Lumix Cristallo quartzite.

Of course, the BIG question is will you like how this looks? Backlit Cristallo Quartzite photos

Pick a cheaper matetial and forget the cheesy glowing counters if you want to stay in budget. Things like that only work in the 5M uber minimal modern penthouse with the Lake Mchigan view.

I have never heard of doing this and was trying to envision it.

wdccruise - thanks for posting pics.

One of my neighbors did this. We walked at dusk on the golf path behind the homes and their counters were visible and glowing. It was not a pretty glow and just looked odd. Maybe the effect is better close up?

I wish you were in the Houston area!

Backlighting Cristallo quartzite countertops is such a gorgeous idea, and I totally get why you're all looking into it! I’ve worked with so many people who want that stunning glow but feel a little overwhelmed by the process—so let’s break it down.

1. LED Panels vs. Strip Lights – What Actually Works?

I know strip lights seem like a quick and easy option, but they usually end up looking… well, not great. You’ll often see hotspots, uneven lighting, and those little LED dots shining through the stone. LED panels, on the other hand, create a smooth, even glow because the light spreads out properly. They’re super thin—just 1/4" (6mm) or 5/16" (8mm)—so you don’t need a bulky lightbox underneath.

2. Do You Need an Electrician for This?

Not necessarily! A lot of times, the stone fabricator or millworker installs the LED panels because they just sit on top of a plywood or MDF sub-top, with the quartzite placed directly over them. The panels are plug-and-play, meaning they can plug into a regular outlet—no hardwiring needed. If you’re comfortable with routing low-voltage wires and securing the panels, it’s totally doable as a DIY.

3. How Does Installation Actually Work?

For a single LED panel, the layering is super simple:

1. Cabinets – Your base.
2. Plywood or MDF Sub-Top – A flat surface to support everything.
3. LED Light Panel – Custom-sized to fit your space.
4. (Optional) Acrylic Diffuser – Helps smooth out any seams if you’re using multiple panels.
5. Quartzite Countertop – Sits right on top.

If you’re using multiple panels, I’d recommend adding an acrylic spacer (about 6-12mm) between the LED and the stone. This helps the light blend evenly so you don’t see seams where the panels meet.

4. How Much Does It Cost?

I know some people throw around crazy numbers, but backlighting doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It usually runs around $35-$45 per square foot for standard 24” deep panels, which is actually really reasonable compared to some of the other custom lighting options out there.

5. Will It Actually Look Good?

Yes! But only if it’s done right. The key is using even lighting and the right layering technique so you don’t end up with shadows or dark spots. I’ve seen some incredible results with backlit quartzite—done right, it can totally transform a space.

6. Can You Install It Yourself?

If you’re handy, absolutely! I’ve had clients install these themselves with no issues. The most important thing is making sure the panels are fully supported and the wiring is planned out. If you’re ever unsure, I can walk you through it.

Here’s a beautiful Cristallo Quartzite kitchen we completed in San Jose — full backlit countertop, island, and backsplash, all illuminated using custom-shaped, made-to-order LED panels.

https://nu-wo.com/backlit-cristallo-quartzite-kitchen-san-jose/

👉 This is how to backlight Cristallo Quartzite the right way:
https://nu-wo.com/how-to-backlight-cristallo-quartzite-the-right-way/

Pricing for these panels typically works out to $40–$50 per square foot, depending on complexity.

@Nu World Custom Lighting And Design you guys do beautiful work. We're considering Cristallo for our kitchen and having a hard time finding someone local in Rochester, NY with first hand experience doing this. We also are considering LightTape USA as it seems the install might be simpler and something our general contractor could do. Have you ever used LightTape on any jobs?

Thank you very much for your kind words.

Yes, we are very familiar with LightTape and other electroluminescent (EL) lighting systems. In fact, over 16 years ago we were one of the first companies to introduce electroluminescent lighting technology into Canada, so we have extensive firsthand experience with both EL systems and modern LED backlighting.

Each technology has its pros and cons, but for backlighting Cristallo quartzite countertops we almost always recommend custom frameless LED light panels. In our experience, they provide significantly higher light output, better color rendering, longer life, and much greater flexibility than electroluminescent systems.

Another important difference is voltage. Electroluminescent systems operate at much higher voltages, whereas our panels are a very safe and simple 12V DC system.

We are based in Canada, but approximately 95% of our work is throughout the United States, so supporting projects remotely is very common for us. We regularly work directly with homeowners, stone fabricators, contractors, and electricians and guide them through the entire process.

The installation is actually much simpler than most people expect. It is essentially a straightforward layering system involving a substrate, the LED panels, and the stone above.

We specialize exclusively in backlighting and can illuminate virtually any translucent material including Cristallo quartzite, onyx, alabaster, glass, and other decorative surfaces.

If you would like, I would be more than happy to speak with you directly or walk your contractor through the process step by step. Feel free to send me your number, or give me a call anytime

Best regards,

Mathew Barlett
Nu World Custom Lighting and Design
https://nu-wo.com