Reusing Granite Countertops?
I had violetta granite countertops installed about three years ago. We sort of put the cart before the horse because we didnt replace the kitchen cabinets at the time. Now, we are replacing the cabinets a) because they are older and can’t be refinished easily and b) because the new appliances we would like won’t fit.
My question: How difficult is it to remove existing granite countertops and reinstall them on the new cabinetry? The overall footprint will remain the same with a few minor adjustments.
I am having the original installer over to look at the job but I would like to be prepared for what he might tell me.
Thank you very much for your time.
Deb
Hello Deb,
Rarely is the reuse of granite countertops successful because the granite breaks when prying it up from the cabinet. However, this is what I recommend.
If you have 2cm thick granite with a plywood subtop, then the best approach is for the granite professional to use a technique whereby many screws are inserted up from the bottom of the plywood to put equal pressure on the granite. The screws will spread the plywood from the granite as they are tightened. However, if this approached is rushed, then a screw will apply to much pressure (stress) at a single point of the granite and the granite will fracture. This is one of those techniques where the first time someone does it, they break the granite so look for experience with this technique.
Another possibility is to try to remove the plywood with the granite from the cabinet and then carefully chisel off the plywood later. In case you have 3cm solid stock granite the perimeter can be cut below the granite edge at the cabinets and the granite should pop right off.
The best news is that you said you have Violetta Granite. This is very dense and hard granite from Saudi Arabia. It is very strong and gives you the best chance of success for this project.
Best wishes,
Tom Cordova
