How a Granite Countertop is Measured, Cut and Installed

20Comments

My wife and I just recently bought a house in which they have beautiful granite (no plywood base), but ugly, old and painted cabinets. We would love to replace the cabinets with dark wood or cherry, but are concerned about removing and re-installing the granite. Does anyone have suggestions or tips on how to remove granite without it cracking? I assume it's glued to the cabinets.

If the job is too risky we will have to decide if we want to replace the granite (assuming it breaks) or buy paint to make the cabinets look like cherry (I saw this in the store, but no examples of the finished product).

Jarrod Reuter

Feb 9, at 9:41am

20Comments

Great Smile Annie...

Bob Marconi

Jan 29, at 1:31am

20Comments

Great Tip

Ernie White

Jan 27, at 10:37pm

20Comments

Thinner (3/4") granite will have a doubled bull-nose edge. Because it is thinner, it requires a plywood base to support a load on top of the granite, otherwise it would crack when heavy objects are placed across a span. Because the edge is doubled up, it essentially wraps around the plywood edge, concealing it from view.

Thicker granite (1 1/2") does not need plywood to support the load. If you put plywood down, you will need to conceal is somehow, as the granite edge (being the same thickness as the entire piece) will not wrap around the plywood edge, so you will need to trim it out with molding.

John

Jan 27, at 8:42pm

20Comments

I deeply regret putting in stone countertops when I redid my kitchen a few years back. Yes, they look beautiful, but they can't be installed with a dripless edge (that slight round upward at the edge of tile or Formica countertops). Even the small spills typically roll off the edge and into drawers or onto the floor. Thus, even the smallest spill can be a HUGE mess and require more clean up. If you don't actually use your kitchen, granite countertops are nice to look at, but they are just miserable to work with in a busy kitchen with significant prep work. All told, I don't think they are worth it.

MacAdvisor

Jan 27, at 4:29pm

20Comments

This really seems like some kind of hurry up job and really out of time sequence for what the house really needs, I mean, the appliances in this house must be 1980 or before, the cabinet designs and layout of the kitchen is also very outdated, the cabinets that hang down in your face cannot be any kind of Feng Shui
Proper. It seems to me that the house probably needed quite a few upgrades before starting on this VERY Expensive project. Loved the Aluminum foil on the Burner trays of the stove by the way, Classic! I really don't see how this is anymore informative than just going to the store and getting sold counter tops. other than removal of the old counter tops this video was not really a "How To" type thing but more of a "What to Expect" type thing. The funny part is even though price was clearly on the mind of Ron and Annie, it was NEVER discussed on camera and has not been talked about in previous comments. Actually seems a little fishy to me really.

This sort of helped me decide something though and for that I thank you. I was thinking of getting a rack for the top of my 700.00 1971 VW beetle because I have always liked that look. Problem is that the racks I have been looking at cost more than 1/2 what I paid for the car. i am thinking a few other things need to be addressed with the car before I go buy a rack for it now. LOL Just sayin.

Mike

Jan 27, at 4:00am

20Comments

Just in time Rom. This is one of my next jobs to do on my Honey-do list. Thanks Emily Lyman for the info on the plywood base.

Dave

Jan 27, at 2:03am

20Comments

is it ok to have the granite seam right next to the faucet? They told us that is the weakest point of the granite since it is the thinest piece. We have a long run, shouldn't the piece have been seperated on a corner?

Therese

Jan 2, at 8:27pm

20Comments

Hi Judy,

Plywood is added to increase the stability of the counter-top. Adding plywood is not a large cost by any means. If the counter-top is thick enough then plywood may not be needed but just to be sure contact the manufacturer since they know the products limits and verify that it does not need a plywood base.

Emily Lyman
Ron Hazelton Team

Emily Lyman

Oct 3, at 6:31pm

20Comments

The cost PLEASE?

jim

Jun 18, at 1:16am

20Comments

This ensures perfect fit and stunning results every time. Read our process from initial inquiry to fitting and see photos from our workshop.

granite worktops

Jun 16, at 6:55am

20Comments

Granite countertops are really attractive but I understand that they are not carefree because the stone is porous and needs to be treated occassionally. Any comments regarding durability and ease of repair?

Paul

Jun 3, at 8:04am

20Comments

The company installing my countertop insists I don't need a plywood base under the granite top because of the thickness of the granite. Everyone I know has this wood base under their cabinet. Is it the standard NOT to have a wood base if the granite is a certain thickness? Thanks. Judy

Judy

Mar 2, at 2:57am

20Comments

Question: Can one installed granite countertop on concrete using thin set or white cement? Love your details of how to do your own installation.

Alfred Clayton

Dec 15, at 7:50am

20Comments

Beautiful stone used in the counter redo but I would agree different cabinets would possibly be better. My question is what to do for a peninsula counter with approximately 6 inches of overhang on one side? Any special concerns we should consider to secure granite to top of cabinet base? Thank you in advance for any suggestions before we install counter top to peninsula.

Jan

Nov 6, at 10:20am

20Comments

If the granite seam settles alittle and becomes sharp, how can I repair it.

Rula

Oct 6, at 12:20pm

20Comments

Ron, I really like your emaills regarding home improvement that you send to me. They really are helpful. Keep sending them ALL and Thanks Again.

Wilbert Krohe

Oct 2, at 5:58pm

20Comments

good catch about the dishwasher being white Bill, my honest opinion about the kitchen, this counter top do not go with them cabinets, if you spend that much money on them granite, you should had a better quality cabinets to go with it, but no worries, you still can change this by painting it over a different color, maybe white?

ace

Oct 2, at 1:06pm

20Comments

THE COST?! Why wasn't that included?

phil

Oct 2, at 12:20pm

20Comments

Wasn't the new dishwasher initially black then at the video end it was white with a large handle?

BILL

Oct 2, at 8:48am

More In Category

Related Projects

Recent From Ron's Blog

How a Granite Countertop is Measured, Cut and Installed