My wife is leasing an existing office. The reception area has a formica counter for signing in. I’d like to put either a solid granite top or squares over the formica. Can you install the granite over the formica? If so, what’s the best way? I don’t want to tear anything out, just jazz up the counter alittle.
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Sure. You usually need a sub-top for the stone anyway, so there's nothing wrong with the existing formica. But how are you going to hide the front edge?
If you install stone tiles over the formica, be sure to rough it up real well with coarse sandpaper.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
i have never seen or heard of a sub top? on granite.
our solid tops have always been directly on the cabinets. (granite company does the install)
also do not think the existing top with tile over is a good idea. I would check with tile manufacturer. most likely the top is 3/4" particle board which may not be suitable as a base for the tiles.
Edited 12/29/2006 1:03 pm ET by official1jg
Sub tops vary by region. Here in southern California, a 5/8" plywood sub top is standard procedure under slab granite. Other places I hear reports like yours that the stone always goes direct onto the cabinets.Bill
i have never seen or heard of a sub top? on granite
My experience is that 2 cm granite requirers a subtop, but 3 cm stone can go directly on the cabinets. This gets discussed here about 3 times a year.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Hiding the front edge is easy. Double or triple up the edges. I just did it for a table that I designed for a boat that seats up to 16. Can't even see the edge when you look for it and I know it's there. FWIW we used 3/4, it's not widely available.
If you are talking about doing it yourself the tiles are probably a bad idea, if you are using a contractor they will tell you what they need, a solid granite top should be fine. Lots of luck.
"If all else fails, read the directions"