Replacing kitchen cabinets can give your space a whole new look and feel. However, to properly install new cabinets, you often need to remove the existing countertops first. Here’s what you need to know about removing countertops for a cabinet replacement project.
An Overview of Countertop Removal for Cabinet Replacement
When renovating your kitchen, you’ll likely be replacing cabinets and countertops together. New cabinets provide the foundation and frame for your kitchen’s layout and design. Countertops then finalize the look by adding an attractive, durable surface for food prep and dining.
Since countertops sit on top of the cabinets and are often secured to them, replacing the cabinets usually requires first detaching and lifting off the countertops. The countertops need to be cleared away so the old cabinets can be removed and new ones installed properly.
However, in some cases, it may be possible to keep countertops in place during cabinet replacement. Factors like countertop material, installation method, cabinet layout, and project scope impact whether countertops must be removed.
Below is more detail on when countertop removal is required for cabinet swaps and why it’s typically recommended.
Reasons Countertops Usually Get Removed for Cabinet Replacement
There are several reasons countertops generally need to come off when kitchen cabinets are replaced:
Access Issues
Cabinets provide the supporting base for countertops. To remove old cabinet boxes and install new ones, you need clear access without the countertops in place. Trying to work around countertops makes cabinet replacement much more difficult.
Taking countertops off gives complete access to the full cabinet perimeter for removing old boxes and installing replacements properly. It also allows existing cabinet rails along walls to be taken off or altered as needed.
Installation Method
Many countertops are secured to the underlying cabinets with brackets, adhesive, or other methods. For example, granite slabs are often adhered to the cabinets. This helps stabilize the heavy material and prevents shifting.
With the countertop attached directly to the old cabinets, they usually must come off together. Then the countertops can be re-installed on the new cabinets later.
Layout Changes
If the new cabinet layout will be altered at all from the existing design, countertops will need to be removed and custom-fit to the new layout.
Even small layout tweaks like changing cabinet widths, adding an island, or removing a section of cabinets require countertop removal for template matching later.
Material Limitations
Some countertop materials can be reused after careful removal and re-installation. But other types won’t hold up well when pulled off the old cabinets.
For example, tile countertops usually need replacement since removing the tiles risks damaging them. And seamless materials like concrete or resin can crack during removal.
Damage Risk
Trying to work around countertops still in place raises the risk of accidental damage during cabinet replacement. Heavy new cabinets could crack a countertop when being lifted over it. Tools or debris could also scratch or stain the countertop surface.
Plumbing Fixture Access
With the countertops off, it’s much easier to access, remove, and re-install sinks, faucets, and other plumbing fixtures during the renovation. The plumber can work on hooking up new sinks and faucets more efficiently once the countertops are out of the way.
When Countertops May Not Need Removal
In select scenarios, it may be possible to replace cabinets without fully detaching the countertops:
Identical Cabinet Footprint
If the new cabinets will occupy the exact same footprint as the old set, countertops may be able to stay. No layout changes means the countertop edges should still align correctly to the new cabinet perimeter.
However, accessibility will still be limited versus full removal, making the cabinet installation process tighter. Securing countertops to the new cabinets may also be difficult.
Stone Slabs with Minimal Cabinets Changes
Natural stone slabs like granite are rigid enough to potentially withstand some cabinet changes underneath without cracking. Small layout tweaks may be doable, along with replacing just a section of cabinets.
The countertop overhangs would need to be supported properly when released from the old cabinets. Cracks are still a risk during transit and re-attachment.
Using Countertops as Templates
In some remodels, existing countertops are left in place during demolition to use as templates for the new layout. The countertops get removed later for installation on the new cabinets.
This helps ensure accurate cuts and seams in the new countertop material. But it still somewhat limits cabinet access during replacement.
Steps for Removing Countertops for Cabinet Replacement
When countertop removal is required for your kitchen remodel, use these steps:
1. Disconnect Appliances and Fixtures
Detach any appliances, sinks, faucets, or other items fastened to the countertops first. This includes cooktops, sinks, and backsplashes. Remove these items carefully to avoid damaging them for re-use later.
Turn off water supply lines and disconnect drain pipes from sinks and faucets. Unthread supply hoses. Label components so they can be re-installed properly later.
2. Clear Countertops
Remove everything sitting on top of the countertops so they are fully clear. This includes small appliances, custom butcher blocks, knife blocks, and everything else on the surface.
Pack up kitchen items or temporarily relocate them to other rooms to keep them safe during the remodel.
3. Detach Countertops from Cabinets
Starting at one end, begin detaching the countertops from the underlying cabinets. This may involve cutting adhesive, removing brackets, taking off edge trim, or other methods depending on the installation type.
Work slowly and steadily along the full perimeter to detach the countertop without cracking or chipping it.
4. Support and Lift Off Countertops
Have helpers on hand to assist with lifting off the detached countertops. Carefully slide the countertops off the cabinets while supporting the overhangs. Avoid placing too much sideways pressure which can cause cracking.
Set large countertop sections on sawhorses or tables to keep them safely off the floor. Move them to storage if they will be reused. Or bag up debris for disposal if being replaced.
5. Remove Cabinet Boxes
With the countertops fully detached and out of the way, the old cabinet boxes can now be taken out. Remove doors, shelves, and hardware first. Then disconnect the boxes from each other and take them out.
Detach any rails along walls and alter the footprint per the new layout if needed.
6. Install New Cabinets
Bring in and install the new cabinet boxes according to the replacement design. Anchor to each other and the walls properly. Add shelves, doors, and hardware once boxes are all in place.
7. Replace Countertops
Finally, move in the new countertop slabs and install them on top of the freshly installed cabinets. Or template and fabricate new custom countertops to fit the new cabinet layout precisely.
Reconnect sinks, faucets, and appliances using the labels applied earlier.
FAQ About Removing Countertops for Cabinet Replacement
Some common questions about detaching countertops during kitchen cabinet replacement projects:
Do you always have to remove countertops to replace cabinets?
In most cases, yes. Removing the countertops is usually necessary to access the old cabinet boxes for removal and replace them properly with new cabinets. Limited exceptions are possible in some identical footprint changes.
Can you leave granite countertops when replacing cabinets?
Granite countertops may potentially stay in place if the cabinet layout is unchanged. But accessibility is still limited, and cracks are possible during the transition. It’s generally wise to detach granite carefully for the cabinet swap.
Do you have to take off quartz countertops to replace cabinets?
Quartz countertops are usually adhered to cabinets and need removal for access and to reduce cracking risks. New adhesive is also needed to attach quartz slabs to the new cabinets later.
Can I replace just some kitchen cabinets without removing countertops?
It may be possible to replace only a section of cabinets without full countertop detachment in limited cases. But accessibility is tight, and countertops should be properly supported overhead during cabinet removal.
Do countertops get replaced when replacing kitchen cabinets?
In most full kitchen remodels involving cabinet replacement, the countertops are replaced as well. This allows perfectly fitting new countertops to the updated cabinet footprint and coordinated style. But existing countertops can sometimes be reused.
Can I replace cabinets without removing backsplash?
Tile or stone backsplashes may be able to stay in place if they don’t intersect with the cabinet area being replaced. But backsplashes integrated with countertops usually need to come off together for proper cabinet access.
Conclusion
Replacing kitchen cabinets often requires first removing the existing countertops for full access and proper installation. Detaching countertops allows the old cabinets to be taken out and new ones put in with ease.
Carefully detach countertops before cabinet replacement to avoid damaging them for reuse or templating the new layout. Support countertops properly when lifting off and moving them to storage. Then once the new cabinets are installed, finish the kitchen by replacing or re-installing the countertops.
With some extra steps to remove countertops first, your kitchen cabinet replacement project can transform the heart of your home with beautiful new style and function.