How to Install Granite Countertops

Choosing the type of countertop material that you want to install in your new or remodeled kitchen is not easy. There is a huge selection to choose from and many among them make a good choice. Granite is one of the top choices among homeowners because of its beauty and durability. However, granite can get costly too. And so many would ask, how to install granite countertops?

First of all, before you learn granite countertop installation, it’s important to know the reasons why people choose to install granite countertops over the many other choices that are out there in the home marketplace. They do offer many benefits to those that install them. Here are the pros of granite countertops:

  1. Granite is extremely durable. They do not chip, crack or break very easily unless under extreme duress from heavy objects. They are also heat-resistant, which makes them ideal in the kitchen.
  2. Granite countertops are simple to clean and maintain. That’s because they are not very porous in nature.
  3. This type of countertop material looks great and comes in a variety of different colors. Granite is known for its distinct and elegant grain patterns.
  4. It is very versatile. It can be used in classic, contemporary, modern, and many other kitchen settings.
  5. Granite countertops add value to a kitchen and the overall value of a home. Prospective home buyers tend to react favorably to homes that have granite countertops installed in the kitchen.

Basic Steps on How to Install Granite Countertops

Here are the steps involved when you are doing a DIY granite countertop installation:

Step 1: In addition to a normal set of tools you may also need to rent or purchase some specialized ones. This includes a grinder, a saw with a dry-cut segmented diamond blade, a carpenter's square, and a good size level. The job will also go smoother if you have kraft paper, duct tape, toothpicks, and masking tape on-hand. You will also need a good polyester-based resin and a tube of silicone caulk.

Step 2: Granite is a heavy countertop material so it needs to be installed over a thick plywood base. You should use ¾” plywood to get this done. Once you have that in place you can then begin to install the granite countertops themselves. If you are putting large slabs of granite countertops in place you will need some assistance because of their heavy weight.

Step 3: Next, measure and cut the pieces of granite to fit if they have not been made to exact specifications beforehand. You will need to cut out the sink hole now if that’s necessary. Only use a saw with a dry-cut segmented diamond blade to do this and put masking tape on both sides of the cut line for protection.

Step 4: Now its time to level the countertop. You want to be as precise as possible here. You can make small level adjustments by driving 1 ¼” screws through the plywood from below.

Step 5: You now need to glue the granite countertops down. You do this by placing dime-sized drops of silicone caulk sporadically around the top of the plywood base. Install the sink in place now and be sure to caulk around that too.

Step 6: Lastly you will need to use the polyester-based resin to fill in the seams between the slabs. This is tricky because in order to get good results, you have to match the color mix of the resin with the color of the grain in the granite.

If you follow these steps on how to install granite countertops, there is a very good chance that your project will turn out looking as good as you had hoped.

Call Us for Professional Granite Countertop Installation

Knowing all the techniques and steps on how to install granite countertops is one thing - executing these steps is another. Without the proper tools, equipment, and experience, you don't have a guarantee that your countertops would look good or even be functional at all. Many times, we've had clients calling us for help after a failed project, which resulted in so much wasted time, money, and effort.

For durable, beautiful, and functional kitchen granite countertops Orlando, call Stone World for assistance. Our team of pros is here to help you out. We service Orlando, Maitland, Longwood, Winter Park, Deltona, Sanford, Windermere, and surrounding communities. Call us at 407-341-4688 to get a free estimate today!