How to get rid of a bullnose/backsplash on a kitchen counter?
by Jean
+1
What is the best way to remove the bull nosed kitchen counters, so that the counter is perfectly flat?There are two bull noses: one in the front of the counter, the other, and more offensive one, is the curved bullnose which joins the counter to the wall, as if it is a mini backsplash.
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It sounds like the counters you have are one piece, Jean. The only way to change the bullnose is to replace the counters.
My guess is that you have some sort of stone countertop. Call a a stoneyard or kitchen counter installer to see if it can be removed, cut off and polished and reinstalled.
If the countertop is a pre-formed unit (as Ann says), then it will need to be removed and rebuilt. If it is tile, then it needs to be chipped off. I have only built counters (with laminate) from scratch. You might think about removing old counters and installing (professionally) a quartz or granite countertop with a tile backsplash. Or have a laminate countertop installed and use a tile backsplash.
I have built many countertops and I can tell you that most are removable. The problem is what’s behind the bullnose...nothing but an ugly substrate that will most likely be partical board. Additionally it will be half the size of the countertop. Countertops are mostly 3/4” but we put a buildup around the edges to make them appear to be 1-1/2” thick. The bullnose is attached to this. As far as the back potion goes...the quarter-round molding it is there as a prentative measure against water infiltration. It is then sealed with caulking. Personally I don’t like this look. I say why not just caulk it and be done. So I guess this is a long-winded way of saying what Ann already has...you’ll have to buy new countertops. However...you should be able to remove the back molding and be okay unless the installer shot brads through it and into the countertop.