Yes. One of the biggest advantages of Guardian Ventures’ 8mm engineered stone surfaces is that they can be professionally installed directly over many existing worktop surfaces, making them an ideal solution for kitchen makeovers and renovation projects. By overlaying the existing worktop, installation is often faster, cleaner and far less disruptive than removing and replacing the entire worktop.
Our surfaces can be successfully bonded to a wide range of stable, well-prepared substrates, including laminate worktops, ceramic and porcelain tiles, Corian®, natural granite, chipboard, MDF and many other suitable surfaces. Before installation, the existing worktop should always be structurally sound, securely fixed and properly prepared to ensure a long-lasting bond.
We do not recommend installing our engineered stone surfaces directly onto solid timber or butcher’s block worktops. Unlike engineered materials, natural wood continually expands, contracts and can warp as temperature and moisture levels change. This natural movement can place unnecessary stress on the engineered stone and may increase the risk of cracks or bond failure over time.
For the best results, Guardian Ventures recommends using our Complete Installation System, including our high-performance 2-Part Epoxy Adhesive, which has been specifically selected for bonding our 8mm engineered stone surfaces to existing worktops and other approved substrates.
When applying the adhesive, it is essential to achieve 100% adhesive coverage across the entire substrate. The adhesive should be spread using our recommendednotched adhesive spreader, creating a continuous solid bed of adhesive beneath the engineered stone. This provides consistent support across the entire surface and ensures the worktop performs as intended.
“Dot and dab” installation methods should never be used. Applying individual blobs or dabs of adhesive creates unsupported hollow areas (voids) between the existing worktop and the engineered stone. If a heavy object is subsequently dropped onto one of these unsupported areas, the impact cannot be evenly distributed, significantly increasing the risk of the surface cracking. Achieving a continuous 100% adhesive bond eliminates these voids, providing maximum support, improved load distribution and a stronger, longer-lasting installation.
If you’re unsure whether an existing surface is suitable for an overlay installation, or would like advice on the correct installation method, our technical team will be happy to help before work begins.