Search this forum for "Granite Transformations," which is a 1 cm granite/resin veneer. I am one who has an overall negative impression of the product, but perhaps you'll like it.

I am no expert, but I think you can work around your issues and replace the countertop. For example, you could remove the bottom row of tile, remove the countertop, and put a 4" granite backsplash up to cover up the one row of tile. Not quite sure about the other -- can you post pix?

I had a tile backsplash that came down to my Silestone counters. The granite installers had no problem removing the old counters. They just broke the Silestone up with some blows from a hammer and pulled it out from under the tile. I didn't care if they damaged the backsplash, but they didn't chip a single tile.

I visited the Granite Transformations showroom in Tampa. The lady was very nice and helpful. But I did NOT like the product. It is not granite and doesn't look like it to anyone who has seen real granite. They take granite chips and mix it with a resin like silestone does with onyx. they also mix in mirror chips, glass, and even seashells. But it does not have the depth or match the look of granite. And it isn't any cheaper in many cases.

They make a bid deal about not having to remove your countertops, but removing countertops is not a big deal. Most DIYers can do it in an afternoon.

I don't mean to "dis" anyone who has these tops. They are very nice product, just not for me. Only, they are not really a granite veneer.