You might be wondering if you can replace your kitchen cabinets without sacrificing your current counters. The answer is yes! Whether you have charming vintage, sturdy quartz or gorgeous granite countertops, you can absolutely save your countertops while changing out your cabinets.
Professional kitchen remodeling teams can simplify the process, making your kitchen cabinetry refresh a breeze. As a team of local experts serving central Ohio, CORE Renovations can answer your counter-replacement questions.
Can you remove and reinstall countertops without damaging them?
In some scenarios – absolutely! However, you may want to think about the fragility of your counters. If your countertops are slab countertops, like granite or quartz, removing them without cracking or breaking the slab can be difficult. Granite slabs are extremely heavy, and if they are dropped or chipped during the removal process they cannot be repaired.
In the event you have quartz or granite countertops, we recommend speaking with a professional kitchen remodeler to ensure that the work is done right.
How to replace countertops while keeping your counters
This portion of the guide covers how to DIY your cabinet replacements while saving your countertops. However, we recommend getting in touch with professional remodeling experts instead.
Before you begin, you’ll want to take measurements for the layout of your cabinetry to ensure they will fit properly in your space. Then, you can move onto removal and replacement.
Removing your current cabinetry
When removing your kitchen cabinets, you’ll want to start by emptying out all the items in your cabinets. Then, unscrew your cabinet doors and remove them as well. This will give you full visibility into your cabinets and make the removal process simpler.
Once empty, you can examine the cabinet installation screws at the back of your cabinets. Cabinet installation screws support the weight of your cabinets and their items, so you’ll want to check where they are and if you can loosen them.
If your cabinet installation screws are installed directly into the floor or you can’t access your toe base, you’ll need professional help with your cabinet replacement.
Assuming this is not the case, you’ll be able to loosen the installation screws at the back of your cabinets for removal. Before you remove them, ensure that your current countertops are sufficiently supported. Use studs to keep them in place or other supporting structures. Slide the old cabinets out, and you’re ready to begin adding new cabinetry back.
Installing your new cabinetry
With your new cabinets ready to go, you should be able to replace them where the previous cabinets rested. Slide them into place, and ensure they fit snugly.
Attach your new lower cabinets to your wall studs using screws, drilling through the back of the cabinets into the studs. Connect adjacent cabinets together by drilling pilot holes and using screws to join them. Use clamps to hold the cabinets in place while securing them. Double-check the level and alignment, making any necessary adjustments with shims.
Reattaching your current counter
To attach your countertop to the new cabinets, first place shims or wedges on the cabinet tops where the countertop will rest. This ensures a level surface by compensating for any unevenness in the cabinets. After positioning the shims, set the countertop in place, checking for level and stability before securing it with screws or adhesive. Apply construction glue as needed to secure the countertop and cabinets together.
Alternatives to replacing your cabinets
Not sure that replacing your cabinetry is for you? There’s an easier solution than completely removing your kitchen cabinets – consider refacing them instead. Cabinet refacing allows you to completely refresh your cabinets, from hardware to trim to finish.
Whether you’d like to accomplish a natural hardwood finish or a glossy laminate, cabinet refacing might be the solution for you. Replacing the doors and hardware is a breeze, and refacing can allow you to reinforce your cabinetry as well to support your countertops
However, if your cabinets have been damaged by water or structurally unsound, then removing them may still be the best choice for your home’s health.
Simplify your kitchen remodel with CORE
When it’s time to update your kitchen’s look, get it done right with the experts. At CORE Renovations, we’re proud to serve central Ohio with professional kitchen remodeling services and more. Our team prides ourselves on gorgeous craftsmanship with full transparency and a dedication to timeliness, ensuring you can go back to life at home as soon as possible.
See our work for yourself in our portfolio. From a sleek industrial farmhouse renovation to a cozy modern cottage kitchen creation, we help you bring your dream home to life in your existing space.
Give us a call at (740) 485-4510 or contact us today to discuss your kitchen remodeling project!
