Installing
Granite: Oakville
Many Oakville homeowners are opting to install granite floors
or countertops. This natural stone has many advantages, including beauty,
durability, and versatility. Granite slab countertops are particularly prized
by designers and discerning homeowners, and there are excellent reasons for
this. A beautiful countertop will become the centerpiece of your kitchen or
bathroom. Each granite slab is unique, bringing a one-of-a-kind pattern and
depth of colour to any room. The
natural beauty of a stone slab countertop adds richness
and character to a room's décor in a way that no other material can.
Slab
Countertop Installation
While
installing a slab countertop can cost up to
four times more than installing tiles, a slab has many advantages. Slab
countertops feature far fewer grout lines, making cleaning easier and giving
the area a more spacious appearance. A slab is also more durable than a tile
surface.
While it's usually preferable to have experts install your
granite slab countertop, if you have some experience you may choose to tackle
the job yourself. There are seven main steps in the process:
- Ordering the granite countertop. This part of the process requires
great precision! Measure several times to ensure that you're ordering
correctly. Be sure to note how much you want the granite to overhang the
cabinet edge, generally 1” to 1½”. Note which edges of the stone should have a
bullnose or other type of finished edge.
- Prepare the cabinets. Cut ¾” plywood to cover your
cabinets. The plywood will support the granite and allow enough clearance for
drawers and cupboard doors. Drill holes to avoid splitting the cabinet wood.
- Making a template. Use kraft paper to make a
template of the actual countertop. If your walls are not completely square,
this step can save you from making costly errors. If you need to cut a slab to
fit, use a circular saw with a dry-cut segmented diamond blade. Test-fit the granite
pieces.
- Cut a hole for the sink. Cut a hole in the plywood for the
sink if necessary, and drop it in.
- Join the granite slab seams. Use screws from underneath to
raise or lower the granite surface as necessary. Use a level for this process.
- Glue the granite down. With help, lift each segment of
granite and place silicone every six inches around the perimeter. Around the
sink, be sure to apply caulking to waterproof the space between the sink and
the rim of the countertop.
- Glue the seams. First, tape around the seams with
masking tape. Using a putty knife, mix a small amount of polyester-based resin
with small amounts of colour until you get a shade that matches the granite.
Add hardener and apply the resin. Attach suction cups and turnbuckles, pulling
the seams together. After a few minutes, pull off the masking tape. After the
resin dries, smooth seams out with a seam stone.
Long-Lasting
Granite
And now, enjoy your for handiwork decades to
come! Beautiful granite slab countertops will add lasting beauty and value to
your home.