If you are looking at your countertops and you decide it is time for an upgrade, you might begin to wonder if you have what it takes to personally install your new kitchen countertops. Hiring a professional for the installation will cost money for labor, but doing it yourself is not in the question. Here at Arch City Granite, when it comes to granite countertops, we want you to have beautiful countertops and that requires you to hire a professional stone manufacturer to install the countertops.
DIY Can Be Done, Sometimes
First off, the only time you can install your own countertops is if it is a small job that does not have any seams and is a very small piece of stone. This is usually only for countertops on small bar tops or coffee tables. You can not cut the stone yourself, but you may be able to install the small piece of stone on your own with the help of a couple of friends. You will need to ask a few friends or family members for help. Remember that a slab of granite can easily weigh more than 200 pounds. Since granite slabs can be brittle, you want enough people to pick it up and place it gently into place.
Step 1 Choose you Granite
The very first thing to consider is the color. There are a lot of different types of granite. For more information on selecting your granite countertop, you can click here.
Step 2 Measuring
The old adage to measure twice and cut once is extremely important when working with granite. You will need to take a lot of measurements. The last thing you want is to get your slab and have it be the wrong size. Your walls are not level. There will be a lot of variation in lengths. You might want to consider creating a template out of cardboard. Here at Arch City Granite, we use computer aided measuring, we get the right fit the first time. DIY can be fun, but you might want to consider having us do the measuring .
Step 3 Preparation
You need to insure that your cabinets are strong enough to hold the weight of your stone countertops. Visiting with the stone specialists at Arch City Granite is a great way to determine if yours will be adequate. You will also need to be sure that your cabinets are level across the entire surface. Unlevel countertops could cause your stone to crack and things to roll off the surface.
Step 4 Installation
If you are installing your own small piece of stone you will need to follow these suggestions. First off, you will want to set the countertop into place. Make certain everything fits. If the stone does not fit perfectly, you will need to bring it back so we can make the necessary cutting adjustments for you. You want the stone to fit nice and snug, but it should not overhang more than you had planned on it. Finally, you will need to glue your countertops down, install your sink and add a bead of silicone caulk. For more complex jobs, you will need to hire Arch City to come and install the countertops so they look correct and can withstand the wear that a normal countertop does.
Arch City Granite
When you think granite countertop professionals, think of Arch City Granite. If you do not have the tools or the expertise, then you can count on us to install your granite countertops. We have all the tools and the techniques necessary to get your granite countertops installed perfectly. Since our measurements and cutting equipment are all computer aided, your granite countertops will be a perfect fit. One of the best benefits of using our professional installation team is the quality assurance. If we make a mistake, we fix it.