Once you’ve made the decision to include granite countertops or flooring in your home décor, you may be a little concerned about what to expect during the installation process. After all, this is a big investment in your home and you want to know you’ve made a good decision. Assuming you’ve hired a professional granite installation company, you can rest assured that your finished countertops or floors will be everything you envisioned.
However, even if you know you’ve done your homework on granite selection and installer, you may still have some concerns. To put your mind at ease, here are some guarantees on the durability and strength of granite.
Granite Installation Considerations
- Granite countertops are one of the hardest surfaces you can use in your home, but they are easier for your cabinets to support than the weight of the average person standing on the countertop.
- Granite countertops are measured the same way as any other countertop in your home; however, they cannot be measured until the cabinet below has been installed. Also, make sure the manufacturer who is installing them does the measurement.
- Make sure you or the installer allow enough time for the project to be finished. It usually takes 3-4 weeks from the date the measurements were taken. If there is any problem in the course of installation, this time will be longer.
- Granite slabs are usually sold in 10-foot rectangular sections, so it’s not uncommon to have at least one seam. Also, it’s not uncommon to use an “L” shape, as it’s more cost effective and works better for corners. Whenever possible, seams on bathroom countertops will be in the sink to make the seam less noticeable. Granite may or may not be installed over plywood, it is up to the installer to determine if it can be done based on their specific situation.
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There are several things to keep in mind about the appearance of granite. After all, they are part of the overall look and can add character and beauty to the finished product.
- Seams are always made on a straight edge and sealed with a small bead of silicone. The silicone bead will be between 1/16 and 1/8 of an inch.
- Granite slabs vary in thickness, so to avoid an uneven seam, installers use shims at the bottom of the top to make the top surface level. This is a normal part of the installation process, so don’t panic if you notice shims if you decide to watch part of the installation process.
- It is standard practice to have some type of backsplash when you have granite countertops. Typically, the backsplash is at least 4 inches tall, although it can be taller if desired.
- Most granite countertops will have a 1-inch overhang, but this can be altered if desired.