Looking
to add a beautiful stone finish to your home? Installing granite in Burlington,
Markham, Vaughn, Oshawa and other GTA homes will undoubtedly add to their
value.
From Europe and South
America to the GTA
Granite
is a highly sought-after natural stone formed from molten magma. Its
beauty and extreme durability make it a natural choice for the home.
The
majority of granite is sourced from Italy and Brazil, where large stones are
quarried and cut into smaller stone slabs. Despite its relative rarity,
granite comes in a variety of beautiful colors, so a homeowner doesn't have to compromise
their design sense.
A Granite Countertop is
Ideal
The
most popular place most people look to install granite is the kitchen. A
granite countertop is the gold standard – especially for anyone who likes to
cook. The material is non-porous, can withstand high temperatures, and
will last for decades with little maintenance.
Granite
countertops are often comprised of one large stone slab, custom cut to fit the
counter area. After the countertop is ordered, it must be installed.
The Installation Process
Some
handymen (and women) choose to install their own countertops, which is a
relatively easy. Considering installing granite in your home? Here's what is involved.
Step 1: Choosing granite type and color
A
quality natural stone supplier will offer many types of granite slabs. A
homeowner has many options when it comes to granite. When deciding what
color is best, look at the kitchen as a whole when choosing. Although the
countertop is the main focal point, it should compliment the other design
elements in the room, such as the floor, and cupboards. If possible, visit a showroom so you can see
all the granite options on offer.
If
you are measuring for the stone yourself, it's important to be precise! You
must also determine what type of counter edge you would like, as most natural
stone distributers have many options. A
nicely beveled edge adds an elegant touch.
Also consider the depth of the piece, that is, how low you would like it
to hang above the lower cupboards? This
too, is customizable.
Step 2: Cut granite to fit exact shape of counter
The
slab you ordered may need to be shaved slightly, as most walls are not
perfectly square. If the granite piece does need to be re-cut, the
installer will use a circular saw with a segmented diamond blade. Because granite is so strong, diamond must be
used to cut it.
Step 3: Securing the countertop in place
After
carefully cutting the granite piece to perfectly fit the installation area, the
countertop is secured in place with silicone. Caulking will be used to
waterproof any gaps around the sink and the granite piece. Lastly, the
installer will fill seams where any two pieces meet with a polyester based
resin, carefully matching the color of the stone so the seam virtually
disappears. In a final touch, the seam will be buffed smooth, so it is
virtually undetectable.
After installation, the
granite is sealed by applying a liquid sealant to the stone's surface. The
sealant may need to dry for several hours.
After this last application, you are free to enjoy your new countertop
for decades to come!