DIY Network

Reuse a Granite Countertop Give your granite a new lease on life From "Wasted Spaces" episode DWSP-303

The old countertop becomes a fabulous new desktop.

Granite countertops are beautiful, durable and expensive – three good reasons to reuse one whenever possible. The granite counter in Eric and Cara's cluttered kitchen nook is in great shape, in part because the giant piles of papers act as a massive coaster. Host Karl Champley helps the couple cut this stone slab down to size for a new life in their redesigned, clutter-free nook.

This isn't the only recycling project in the couple's kitchen nook: Karl also helps them repurpose some under-counter cabinets. New touches in the space will include a custom wall cabinet and a couple of secret storage areas.

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Reuse a Granite Countertop

Tools and Materials:

pry bar safety glasses ear protection dust mask razor blade circular saw

diamond-tipped masonry blade work gloves straight edge clamps scrap wood

	Figure A
	Figure B

• Remove the granite countertop. Use a razor blade to carefully cut through the caulk around the countertop, including caulk underneath the front lip of the counter. Gently pry the countertop up from the cabinets below and carefully slide off.

  Safety Alert: Granite countertops are extremely heavy – after all, they're made of stone. Make sure to have ample help on hand to pry, lift and carry the countertop safely (figure A).

• Prepare to cut granite. Lay the granite countertop face-down on a large work table. Slip pieces of scrap lumber under the edges of the countertop to raise it up slightly and prevent cutting the table. Clamp the granite and scrap lumber securely to the table. If the countertop extends past the edges of the table, support it with more scrap lumber.

• Measure and mark for cuts. Carefully measure and mark the places to cut the granite to fit the desired project. Clamp a metal straight edge to the granite to act as a guide for the saw.

• Cut the granite. Wearing safety glasses, ear protection and a dust mask, carefully cut the granite using a circular saw fitted with a masonry blade. Make several passes with the saw, starting with the blade set for a shallow cut and lowering the blade slightly each time (figure B).

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses, ear protection and a dust mask when cutting any kind of masonry or stone.

• Clean up the granite. With the cut complete, unclamp the granite and wipe away any dust or debris from the cutting. Install the re-sized countertop with the repurposed base cabinet and set the granite scraps aside for later use.

  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Building a Wall Cabinet
  	Recycling Kitchen Cabinet
  	Removing Half a Wall
  	Reuse a Granite Countertop