For many homeowners, granite is an obvious choice for their home. It is beautiful, durable and can increase their home’s value. There are some who would even go as far as to say that granite countertops are the most popular natural stone surface for kitchens and bathrooms.
While this material is extremely popular for use in homes, the installation process can be a bit tricky. Some information that may help you better understand what goes into preparing a granite slab for installation can be found here.
Transporting Your Granite Countertop can be Tricky
Moving a granite countertop from the warehouse into your kitchen can be a tricky process. Even though granite is a tough and durable stone, if it is not handled with care, it can break and chip. According to the experts in the industry, the absolute best way to transport granite slabs is by using a wooden A-frame.
Extremely large granite countertops can weigh as much as 500 pounds. As a result, they have to be placed on a truck with a crane. Be sure to let the professionals handle the transport process since one wrong move could mean disaster for your beautiful new granite surface.
Granite is Custom Cut On-Site
Contrary to popular belief, most granite surfaces are not delivered to your home, pre-cut and ready to be install. A true professional contractor will cut your granite to fit around your sink or other fixtures in your bathroom or kitchen. If the slab is cut off-site, it means that there is the real risk of an improper fit. When the countertop is cut on-site, however, you will have a custom fit for your granite surface.
Specialty Saws are Used for Cutting Granite
The power that is necessary to cut through granite is quite a bit. This is because granite is considered one of the hardest stones present in the world. This is why it is such a popular option for kitchen and bathroom countertops. While thinner granite tiles can typically be cut with a standard circular saw or table saw, a thicker or larger slab will require the use of water-cooled blades to cut the material. There are some people who also opt to use diamond blades. This makes it easier to cut through the material.
The Installation of a Granite Countertop Begins before it Arrives at Your Home
In order to provide a problem-free countertop installation, it is necessary to begin the process when the cabinets are installed in the kitchen. They should be installed so they are level and so that the walls are positioned at a perfect, 90-degree angle. It is important that the cabinets are properly prepped so they can hold the weight of the granite. This is typically done by placing the proper type of plywood support at the top of the cabinets.
A professional installer will create a template of your countertop so they know how to cut the slab. They will also fit the surface more than one time to make sure it fits snugly. Once the countertop is glued in place, final installation steps will be taken to prevent leaking between seams that are present.
Granite Needs Proper Care to Continue Looking Great
If you want your newly installed granite surface to look great, it is important to care for it properly. If something spills, be sure to clean it up right away and avoid using acidic cleaners on the surface. When you use these cleaning tips, you will find that your granite surface will continue to look new and beautiful for several years down the road.
Taking the time to learn about the granite installation process will help you see what it takes to install granite successfully in your home. It will also help you understand why hiring professionals for this job is so important. Even though granite is tough and durable, a number of issues can arise if it is not installed properly. The professionals will know what to do and how to do it to ensure the granite surfaces look great for years after they are installed. This will also ensure your investment lasts and that you see the increase in home value that granite is said to provide.