HOW TO FIT GRANITE WORKTOPS – Granite is such a great material. It comes in a huge number of colours due to its natural properties and is extremely durable. Installing granite countertops is the perfect solution if you are looking to create a unique style and feel to your kitchen.
Be careful here… As tough as granite is, it is easy to chip or crack it when drilling and cutting. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this then call in a professional. Remember granite is expensive and it is sometimes easier to let the pros do it than mess it up. This guide provides a step by step process of installing granite worktops.
Step 1
The first thing you will need is to ensure your kitchen cabinets are properly installed and level. Measure from the back of the kitchen units to the front allowing for an over-hang, on the front edge, of 2″, so whatever the distance is, from the back, to the front of the kitchen units, simply add another 2″ onto that measurement. Now that you know the width of the granite you need to order you need to find out the overall length. Take your tape measure again and now measure around your kitchen. Again, when it comes to the ends add 2″ for the over-hangs at either end, unless you units fit to walls.
Step 2
Take a Set Square and see if the corners of your walls are square. The chances are they are not so you will have to make allowances for this. The best thing to do is to measure the distance, from the wall to the front of the cabinet and add 2″ for the over-hang as above in Step 1. You need to do this for each of the units and at each end of each unit.
Draw a sketch plan on paper, include each unit and its measurements from the wall and with the included 2″ over-hang. You can now take all these measurements along with you to the granite suppliers. They will be able to give you advice on the best ways to fit granite where walls are not square. Sometimes it is just a case of cutting the back end at an angle to accommodate, while other times it may be suggested that a covering strip is installed, from wall to counter top, to hide any large gaps. Again this will depend on how straight your walls and corners are – there is now one more thing to do before going to the granite supplier and ordering.
Step 3
Granite, as we have said, is expensive and very easily chipped and you will need to drill certain holes, such as the tap, where the sink sits and even the holes where the granite will be secured by brackets to the units. You are much better off having all of this work done by the supplier of the granite.
Step 4
Depending on the size of the granite worktop you may well need a few friends to help you lift it and position it into place. Make sure that everything fits and lines up with all the holes that you have made. Once granite worktop is in place you can then secure it, using the brackets, to the kitchen units.
Step 5
Complete the job by running a bead of silicone sealant along the joints and where the granite worktop meets the walls.
