Brian - If the substrate is good, I see two options that don't require
removing the counters.
1. There are counter companies that will come and cover your existing
counter with a thin granite. The sample I saw looked to be about 3/8"
think. They put an edge on it around front/sides so it looked normal
counter thickness. Their advertisements say they install new counters
in a day without a big mess. I'd call some stone places and see if they
do that in your area. If there is a built in backsplash, I expect they
just cut if off and make a new one slightly higher.
2. Tile over the counter. I was going to do this at my previous
house, so remember where I saw the details. See
http://www.ronhazelton.com/article/home/kitchens/UDI4Mg/How_to_Install_Tile_Over_a_Laminate_Counter_Top_
for a product that gets attached to the counter and then is covered by
tile.
Should you take out the counter, here is an example
http://www.ronhazelton.com/article/home/kitchens/UDIwMg/P0061_How_to_Tile_a_Kitchen_Countertop_
where they put down backer board.
(If the links don't work, go to http://www.ronhazelton.com and search
for "tile countertop". They are the first two results.
We sold the old house, so I didn't actually do this, but expect there
are lots of links and stories on how it worked.
Brian
On 7/25/2011 4:56 AM, Brian Kennedy wrote:
> We have a formica countertop that's at least 20 years old, probably more like
> 35 years. Near as we can tell, the countertop is glued down. No nice little
> brackets. We pried up a corner of the formica an don't see any screws or nails
> going in from the top, but that may be the case.
> We're concerned that if we pull up the counter top, we'll damage the cupboards
> that are still in good shape.
> We're thinking about going over the existing formica after re-gluing the
> raised corners. Bad idea?
> Next thought is to remove the existing formica. This one sounds like a lot of
> work and maybe we mess up the countertop?
> Any ideas?
> Brian K
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