Material between upper lower cabinets that can be drilled

12 years ago

NOTE: PLEASE DONT ADVISE AGAINST PICTURES - this is definite, always have done this without issues, occasionally remove / clean glass is all.

This week white kitchen cabs being installed, afterwards templating absolute black granite counters. As in photo, Im putting pictures above stove and on adjacent wall between upper lower cabinets.

Now learn granite counter can NOT just meet painted sheetrock walls (damage risk if liquid on counter) & need either (1) granite trim or (2) no trim with non-sheetrock backsplash.

(1) GRANITE - problem because Wall2 is purposely 30" high for picture height with no allowance for any granite trim. Thinnest trim would still need to be minimum 2" tall (probably couldve gotten away with 1")

(2) NO GRANITE TRIM - Not a fan of grout aspect of tile for entire walls between cabinet backsplash and concerned about material can drill into for hanging pictures.

NEED HELP***************
Doing diamond tile/ grout behind stove (need for stove heat). Hate giving up simple painted sheetrock, for rest of wall between up/ low cabinets. Boyfriend wonders if outdoor paint is waterproof / solution for sheetrock.

Granite fabricator said they can do corian for smooth look, seen nice color BUT dont know about drilling into it for hanging pictures (seems extreme).

Short on time and ideas.... any ideas appreciated!

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Comments (8)

weissman
12 years ago
I'm not an expert but I believe you can just caulk between the granite countertop and the sheetrock. It means the installer has to do a neater job of meeting the granite to the drywall and not leave nicks and gaps which he could if you were putting in a backsplash.
jaynes123_gw
Original Author
12 years ago
just called granite fabricator who openminded but pretty sure painted sheetrock bottom where meets granite counter would eventually warp with moisture over time cleaning counter

Considered smooth look of corian but cabinet designer hates idea - thinks big mistake, that will look inferior as a surface against grainte counter.

Think Im back to tile, ideally BIG tile (ive seen wavy textured with long rectangle pieces before) that can hopefully have thin grout lines.
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jennifer132
12 years ago
Beadboard
Stainless steel
Marine paint
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
12 years ago
"Now learn granite counter can NOT just meet painted sheetrock walls (damage risk if liquid on counter) & need either (1) granite trim or (2) no trim with non-sheetrock backsplash."

False.

Cut the granite to within 1/16" of the wall, fill the gap with latex caulk, paint, forget about it.
lcm_maine
12 years ago
How about the 3M Command Strip approach to hanging things? No holes in the walls. (no affiliation with the company -- just know these things are handy)

Here is a link that might be useful: Command strips -- removable hooks
jaynes123_gw
Original Author
12 years ago
Trebruchet - now that you mention it, our current home counters have 4" trim BUT none behind stove with smooth top range meeting a painted sheetrock wall. Five years cleaned stove no issue.

Thanks for ideas Jennifer!

lcm - Those command strips would be great for not drilling, great idea to try out, see how they hold.
jennifer132
12 years ago
Some folks do a very short counter material return as a short backsplash, like 1". This satisfies the fabricator, I think.

I like a painted backsplash. Pictures sound cool. Good luck!
northcarolina
12 years ago
A friend of mine has a painted beadboard backsplash in her sleek new kitchen (white cabs, gray quartz countertops). It's gorgeous.

I also agree with the others that painted sheetrock should be absolutely fine as long as the granite is cut close to the wall and the seam is caulked. There are plenty of "all but backsplash" people and painted-backsplash people who've posted their kitchens here; maybe they'll chime in. I never get water on my backsplash anyway, except occasionally behind the sink, and I wipe that up.