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Kitchen Rehab: Granite Countertops From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-207

(Continued from page 1)

Demolition and Substrate Prep

After taking measurements of the existing countertops (figures A and B), Dean and Derek begin this project with demolition. The kitchen they're revamping has old laminate countertops, a tile island and tile backsplashes, and they're going to demo everything. It is possible for this system of granite tile components to be installed over laminate, but since they're adding new appliances to the kitchen, they opt to simply start from scratch.

Figure A

Figure B

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• First remove all of your appliances and have a licensed plumber disconnect the gas lines. Demo the tile using a hammer and wood chisel (figures C and D).

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

• If you're keeping old laminate, first make sure it's sound and then rough it up before beginning installation. Since Dean and Derek are starting from scratch, they remove the laminate covered countertops (figure E), but set them aside to use as templates for the new countertop substrate.

• The countertop substrate is constructed from a layer of 5/8-inch plywood and a layer of 1/4-inch concrete board. The concrete board acts as a moisture barrier.

• Get the plywood and concrete board to size using the old countertop pieces as templates. The plywood can be cut with a circular saw (figure F) and the cement-board with a grinder or a utility knife. Cut the substrate materials so they sit flush with the cabinetry, and have as few seams as possible.

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

• Secure the plywood island and countertop with screws. Measure and mark out the openings for the stovetop, sink, and any sunken appliances.

• Remove the appliance cutouts using a jigsaw (figures G and H).

  Rock Solid Tip: To make the removal easier, driill a hole in the corner of the template with a wood drill to get a starting point for the jigsaw.

  Figure G

  Figure H

  
  

  Figure I

• With all of the cutouts removed and the plywood attached, set the cement board flush with the plywood and secure with screws set at six-inch intervals – make sure to cut out for appliances before setting the cement board.

• Cover the seams with mesh tape and thinset to create a smooth masonry sub-base (figure I).

• If your countertop or island is going to have an overhang, Dean and Derek suggest reinforcing the underside of the overhang to give support to the heavy granite.

• The next step is to dry lay the countertops by piecing together the five granite components:
  
  • outside corner
    
  • bull nose
    
  • inside corner right
    
  • inside corner left
    
  • 12x12 square granite tile

• The pieces not only incorporate a standard thickness of 3/8 inches, but edge-pieces also include a 1-1/2 inch bull-nose designed to overhang your substrate and create the look of a consistent 1-1/2 inch thick granite countertop.

• Before ordering the materials for the countertops, Kelley recommends measuring and graphing out your kitchen countertops to scale, along with the location and size of all of your appliances. You can then measure and determine the number of each type of tile needed. Round up a bit when you order though, it's better to have a few extra tiles around in case you make mistakes.

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