how to cut a bathroom vanity top?

[radhak]

I need to replace my smaller bathroom's vanity top. For whatever reason the original contractor used an odd size : the cabinet is 32"+ wide, so the top has to be 33" wide. If you are familiar with the bathroom sections of the BORG and others, you'd know that the standard sizes are 31" and 37" wide. A 33" wide would mean 'special order' and you know what that means - more money, time, etc.

I see a lot of advts on CL for vanity tops for cheap, many in great condition. But, I'd need to cut a 37" down to 33". Hence my question - how tough/easy is it to cut a vanity top?

I guess my circ-saw could do it, maybe with a special blade? Of course, being hypothetical, the question is for all material - granite / marble / cultured marble / etc. Any of that easier than the other? It would have to be a neat cut - I cannot hide much of it. And yes, the wall is on the left side so I will have to cut it only on the left, and maybe could put a splash-guard over the cut to cover some minor imperfections?


Of course I am also half-thinking of replacing the whole thing (cabinet and top), but that might be a bigger job than I want to take up.

Seeing that I have been thinking of this for more than a year, I need to stop thinking and start doing...!

[smorris]

I had to trim a composite (pseudo-rock) countertop and used a roto-zip with a guide. Worked fine but made routing MDF look like a pleasant clean job.

[frumper64]

I think if you only cut one side, the sink will be off center. I know you can cut granite/quartz with a diamond blade in a grinder, but the trick is then polishing the cut edge. I don't have a clue how hard that is, but when we were having a silestone (quartz) vanity top installed, the cost to cut and polish a hole for an undermount sink was outragous, so we went with a drop in sink instead.

[ragswl4]

We saw a non-professional cut a granite vanity top on HGTV. I don't remember exactly how they did it but I think it was with a router. Might check out their website to see if they have a video.

[cabinetman]

I think if you only cut one side, the sink will be off center.

Cutting one side can be a real problem, and it may be very noticeable. If this is going to be a DIY project, I suggest to stay away from stones, other than marble, which is fairly easy to cut and polish. Marble, solid surface (Like Corian), and cultured marble, can be cut and polished if necessary at home with simple tools you probably already have. Laminate on substrate is also easy with simple tools.
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