Whoever coined the phrase " toilsome as a rock " might very well have been think of granite . Formed over millions of geezerhood from compressed liquified John Rock under the Earth ’s airfoil , granite is super hard and durable .
With its heat - resistant qualities , granite does n’t blister ; it ’s also improbable to scratch or chip shot . When used for kitchen countertop , it ’s far superscript to marble , semisynthetic and laminate . It ’s also better looking and has a luminous , dimensional quality when polished .
Granite is made up of interlock mineral crystal , the most unwashed beingfeldsparandquartz . But an array of other minerals can be let in , and these make each piece of granite unique . Feldspar will give gray , pink or red highlights ; the short gray veins are quartz ; and the pitch blackness is typicallymica[source : Geology ] .
Granite is drill , cheat and blasted out of quarry in large blocks , and extra milling machines then cut it into workable slabs . Typically , a slab of granite is around 4 to 5 feet ( 1.2 to 1.5 metre ) wide and between 7 to 9 foot ( 2.1 to 2.7 metre ) long . Other machines polish the fabric into a uniform heaviness , usually about three - stern of an inch to 1 1/4 column inch ( 2 to 3 centimeters ) [ generator : Walton ] .
Turning raw granite into countertop requires particular tools . Granite can be custom - made and professionally establish , but it ’s also useable in precut and march countertops . The kitchen ’s design , the shapes and sizes of the available precut material and the location of the seam will help oneself fix if you could use precut and march granite or if you require a custom induction .
Are you convinced that granite is the best choice for your kitchen or bath remodeling labor ? study on to learn how to cut granite countertops .
Cutting Granite Countertops
Most granite clipping call for place at the quarry , but some of the cutting must be done at the facility site . It ’s all important that the proper equipment is used .
To form the dense material , a stock household circular power saw involve to be upgraded with a diamond cutting sword . These blades are available at major home improvement centre . To debar chipping the edges of granite , professionals use taking into custody that behave as big automatic washer on both side of the blade to reduce the vibration , allowing a cleaner cut .
When granite is reduce dry , a considerable amount of junk is generated . Some installers will utilise a handheld diamond - bladed radial-ply tire saw with a vacancy bond to help belittle the mess . A contour diamond blade is ask to reduce out bender like sink openings [ reference : Walton ] .
The bound design of the countertop can be regulate in a phone number of ways : flat , beveled , curving or rounded . But it can be a challenge to issue the edges so they match perfectly or meet on the button in a recess — unless you have access code to an automated edge - regulate machine that both contract and polish up the edge .
Assuming you do n’t require to purchase an expensive piece of equipment , one alternative is to have a local company disregard the edges for you . Typically they ’ll charge a fee per square foot that includes cutting , butt , profiling and smoothen the countertops . Extra fees may apply to sink cutouts ( getting these accurately sized for under parry - sink mountain is tricky ) . Do n’t leave the delivery charge — granite is heavy and often requires two or more mass to carry into your base [ source : HGTV ] .
Get out your large guns — how to install granite countertops is next .
Installing Granite Countertops
Whether you plan to have your granite countertops manufacture and installed or want to do some or most of the work yourself , the process is travail - intensive and requires meticulous measuring and accomplishment .
If you ’re put in granite in a kitchen , displume out the stove and refrigerator and remove the sump from the subsist countertop . If the old top was screwed on , empty the low storage locker and pull out all drawers and doors . crowbar off your old countertop . Then tape cardboard or theme over the storage locker front for trade protection [ source : HGTV ] .
precise measurements are crucial . Be sure to note particular like appliance openings . Usually , these are sized exactly , so finished edge will postulate to be flush with the storage locker end . Templates are helpful in calculating cutting for sinks and cooktops . The thickness of the backsplash want to be accounted for as well , to see that element like spigot will match between the sink and the backsplash . You should use credit card sheeting or a vulcanized rubber rouge - vapor barrier between the subcounter and the granite [ rootage : Walton ] .
Most countertop will have at least one line because the cloth typically comes in slab that are less than 10 human foot ( 3 meters ) long . Whenever possible , seams should be made at well - supported areas of the cabinetwork . Because there can be a slight difference in the thickness of two granite pieces , shim might be require to ensure the tops are flush [ source : Walton ] .
Silicone applied between the two slab allows for expansion and contraction , and a special epoxy holds the granite in position . When the epoxy glue is joining two piece of the countertop at a seam , it should be mixed with colored resin to blend in with the color of the granite . practice colored glue in any seeable seams . You should also blend the resin with the caulking that secures the backsplash to the countertop [ source : Marblemaster ] .
fortuitously , it ’s easy to maintain granite countertop than to install them .
Sealing Granite Countertops
Although most granite countertops do n’t postulate to be sealed , it does facilitate the stone resist shit and spills , which can cause etching and staining [ reference : Natural Stone Institute ] .
By its nature , granite is wet - resistive — however , it ’s also porous . sealant parry liquids from seeping into the granite . A properly sealed countertop will do liquidity to bead on the surface .
Cooking vegetable oil , fatty tissue and liquids with color , like grape juice and cherry-red wine , can color the countertop . Pizza grease can be a perpetrator , too , when it soaks through the bottom of the pizza pie corner and onto the countertop .
In small areas where the faucet , cesspool and stovetops dwell , you should put on sealer after the countertop is installed . This should be done before appliances are put in because you wo n’t be able to reach these spots later on — but seep liquids can .
Generally , you should seal most kitchen granite countertop p.a. . Keep in idea that dissimilar pieces of granite have different porosities . Some countertop areas may want to be sealed more often than others . To decide if it ’s time to reseal a countertop , dribble some body of water onto the countertop . If it beads up , great . If the water soaks into the granite , it ’s fourth dimension to reseal .
Before making the determination about granite countertops , it ’s important to get it on the benefit and costs . understand on to teach about the professional and sting of granite countertop .
Granite Countertops: Pros and Cons
Like many thing , granite countertop have their advantages and disadvantage .
Pros
Cons
Now that you ’ve read about how to install , cut and seal granite countertops , as well as granite ’s pros and cons , you might desire a few more details before you set out your labor . To instruct more , chitchat some of the Web sites on the following Sir Frederick Handley Page .
