Composite worktop

[Bunnyfuller]

The property we’re buying has a nice, if a little bland, kitchen.

I’d like to swap the cupboard doors/frames on the floor level cabinets to navy blue, leaving the wall cabinets in the Ivory. The kitchen is from Howdens so no issues with the swap, but what is a concern is the worktop. The estate agent’s bulb calls the worktop ‘composite’ which is apparently v good and hard wearing etc.

Obviously it would need to be removed to replace the doors etc, and then refitted.

Does anyone know if a) this is possible and b) is it v spendy?

Thanks in advance

Forgot to add pics

It's fine. You just need to unscrew it and then screw it back down and run some sealant along the back. You could probably do it yourself. (I have done.)

@jojomolo

Oh that’s good news! How do they screw it? It literally feels like stone?

Composite usually means ground up quartz or other stone held together with some kind of resin. I'd ask in a local worktop shop if their fitter would be able to remove and refit.

The worktop might be siliconed to the top of some of the base units.

You’ve also got up stands, which will be siliconed to the wall and your worktop (not just a bead). You’ll need to remove these before the worktop. This will take the paint and possibly plaster off the wall.

Looks like you’ve also got an under mount sink. Yes you guessed it... this will also be siliconed to the worktop. You’ll need to disconnect the plumbing to remove the worktop and sink together.

I had no idea the worktop had to move to change the doors.

Think OP wants colour matched base units. Changing the doors would be a 5 min job!

The base units will be white anyway so just change the doors and the kickboard surely?

just get the lower painted or sprayed if you want perfect shop finish. same look but cheaper.

Ah. I thought I’d missed a major issue with kitchen doors 😂

Thanks all, food for thought. Never simple.

We would need the side panels and kick boards blue too, so is that and doors do-able without removing worktop?

Has anyone had any experience of getting the units professionally spray painted?

Thanks again

yes it was great they didn't need to take anything away. just set up shop in the kitchen and garden, taped and covered for everything that needed protected and sprayed all the bits we wanted. looked like brand new doors :)

@righttothepoint

That sounds fab - you don’t happen to have the name of the company, do you?

I painted our kitchen with some paint for the purpose from b&q. It was surprisingly easy and they look really good. They were faux wood laminate before and probably from the 70s and are now a nice cream! Worth a go surely? It cost about 30 in paint and supplies

if it is reconstituted stone, it will be incredibly heavy, and not screwed down, but glued.

I have managed to disodge some with a big hammer, but it might take three strong women to lift the worktop (unless it breaks, which is possible)

try to live without moving it.

Side panels are called "decor panels" and are screwed to the side of the units for ornamental purposes. Hardly anybody (except me) has units made to order in laminate of their personal colour choice. I've found coloured or woodgrain units are dark inside and difficult to find things at the back without a torch.

Kick boards (plinth) are separate and are clipped to the legs. You can pry them off and fit new in your choice of finish.

@PigletJohn

Ah...so are you saying we can remove the side panels, doors and kick boards ourselves and replace?..

yes

OP, I have just done this (kept a stone worktop with undermount sink etc) and replaced the doors, side panels, kick boards etc with Howden's stuff. It was fine. There was no need for anything at all to happen to the worktop (thank God).

example

I think mine are 900x605mm but it's easier to cut a bit off than add a bit on

hinges vary a bit but Blum are a good brand

Oh so pleased to hear this @PutYourHeadscarfOnNorma that’s the way I will go.

Thanks @PigletJohn would I not be able to use original hinges?

yes, probably