Hi All,

Question about raising the heights of our countertops. Currently at 36" height, but we are a tall couple - both over 6' tall. Would like to increase the height by at least a couple of inches.

I've read different ideas on the subject:

• making a 2x4 platform on the floor and setting the cabinets on that
  or
• adding plywood on the top of the cabinets and mounting the granite on top

Rather then using plywood over the entire top surface of the cabinets, could I use some evenly spaced strips of wood lengthwise on top of the cabinets and mount the granite on that? Unfortunately, my budget only allows for reusing the existing cabinets - custom built will not be an option. So, I'm looking for opinions on what my best option would be here.

This also brings up my question about the electric range. The height from the floor to the cooking surface is 36" and of course I would like it to be even with the height of our countertops. What options are there for us to increase the height of this range so it's level with the countertops?

Thank you!

Ken

 

Picture of the cabinets would be nice.
Far easier to to build a platform and set the cabinets and stove on it then cover the raised base.
Some luon painted black will hide it.

 

I've only done this once in over 14 years of professional kitchen installs. Customer insisted on it. I'm 6' 3" and have 36" high counters.

A few key points if you want to do it:

- 2cm granite requires 5/8" plywood substrate always. This usually does not raise counter height at all. The reasons for this vary, but mostly it's because old counter was tile with mortar bed

- 3cm granite requires no substrate, but is 1-3/16" thick, so counter ends up about the same height as 2cm

- The one time I did this, I was installing new cabinets. I secured 2x4 framing (ladder style) to the floor, placed base cabinets over the frame.

- For the range. I removed feet from range, built a base, and made range appear to be a "drop in" (not slide-in)

- I made custom toe kick that was higher than normal.

 

I have encountered this only one, as Brian has. I had a customer who had 38" cabinet/countertops. They were 5'8" or so. Although their cabinets were raised on flat 2x lumber and trimmed along the bottom to achieve that height, the granite countertop was the stopping point. I told them they would have to call in a granite specialist to remove the countertop, I would lower the cabinets and then the countertop could be installed. The stove was also raised on 2x lumber across the front and back. The front was trimmed in nice oak to give eye relief.

Word of caution. This will be your nemesis when you go to sell the house, but creature comforts often are.

 

Chandler is correct. While I said the base is "ladder style", the 2x4's are laying flat.

It's important to secure the 2x4's to the floor to prevent any rocking and to have them laying flat. The cabinets will be shimmed between the 2x4 and cabinet sides/backs.

The cabinets are not heavy enough to compress the 2x4's, taking out any bows or other imperfections.