Removing A Cabinet From Under Granite Countertop

9 years ago

We have converted our 2 family back to a single family home. We moved our kitchen including appliances to the first floor after gutting and renovating. We have always had a second floor laundry but would like to move it under the granite counter of our old kitchen. There is an opening from where the dishwasher was that will accommodate our Bosch axis dryer but in order to place the washer next to it we need to remove a 24" cabinet. The granite is 3/4" and it is mounted directly on top of the cabinets, there is no plywood between the two.
1. Has anyone attempted this with any success, and if so how?
2. Our plan is to install countertop support brackets under the countertop, at least 1 depending on stud location, cut a portion of the cabinet out and place another bracket. Then remove the rest of the cabinet, anyone ever try this? If so bracket recommendations?

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Comments (6)

mag77
9 years ago
Are you sure of the thickness, are you sure this is granite? Most granite counters are three centimeters (1 1/4 inch) thick. If it is 3/4 granite, ignore the following advice, because it's risky enough with 3 cm.

Remove more than 24 inches of cabinet (another 1 1/2 or 2 inches), so you can put a 3/4 inch plywood panel faced with a 1 1/2 - 2 inch stile between the washer and dryer, which will support the counter. You can probably reuse one side of the cabinet you remove as the needed support panel. Does that make sense? The granite will span four feet without support, IF you go slow and easy when removing the cabinet, and IF you don't put any weight on it.
edhart
Original Author
9 years ago
I stand corrected it is 1&1/4 granite.
There are some 18+ inch steel brackets made for counter support would they work instead of a stile between the W&D? I could span the distance w/ plywood.
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edhart
Original Author
9 years ago
I stand corrected it is 1&1/4 granite.
There are some 18+ inch steel brackets made for counter support would they work instead of a stile between the W&D? I could span the distance w/ plywood.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
It's really not that big a deal. Unscrew the cabinet, pull it out and re-support the stone.
mag77
9 years ago
A 3/4 inch plywood & stile is pretty much fool-proof, but if you're determined to use a bracket or brackets, and they won't get in the way of the appliances, go ahead. Just make sure they are solidly anchored.

Now, about "spanning the distance w/plywood." If you mean placing plywood flat up against the granite, like a lamination, that won't add any strength at all.
weedyacres
9 years ago
I'm with Treb: are these just standard box cabinets screwed into the wall and to each others' face frames? Why do you need to cut them out?

Also, have you looked closely at how the granite is "attached" to the cabinets? It may not be attached at all, or just with a silicone bead around the underside. If not boxed in by the backsplash, you could possibly just lift it up (either all the way off, or just shim it up a smidgen) and pull the cabinet out.

A photo of what you're working with would help.