Granite Countertops

Granite Countertops: The Perfect Upgrade

For the ultimate luxury and convenience, granite counter tops are the interior designers’ number one choice.

When the ceramic tile has become more and more difficult to keep clean, or the laminate top is scratched and the touch up kit only made the scratch stand out, it’s time to consider replacing the countertops with the one material that will out-last and out-perform any of these.

Granite is extremely durable, stain resistant and with its’ increased popularity, it has become surprisingly affordable. Granite is now the material of choice for several reasons, and one of these is the vast selection of finishes and textures that are available. The color tones range from near white to deep charcoal, and the textures range from accent marble to multi-colored speckled highlights.

The benefits of granite are the lack of grout joints that are known to stain and become unsightly. Granite has a natural, stain and heat resistant finish that is almost impossible to damage under normal circumstances. In addition, granite countertops are, for the most part, one continuous piece. This means there are no bull-nose or trim tiles that are known to come loose and are impossible to glue back. The rolled edge and cove back splash of a granite countertop are tough and will not crack or chip. As for cleaning, these tops are easily wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Replacing the old vanity top or kitchen counters is a project that the DIY person can be involved with, starting with masking the vanity or kitchen cabinets. This will protect the finish during the removal and installation process. Removing the old tops can be done with some basic hand tools, a reciprocating saw and a container for the old tiles. Where laminate tops are removed, they can be unfastened with a pry bar and carried out in whole, or cut into pieces. Sinks and faucet fixtures can be removed by shutting off the supply line valves, disconnecting the lines and removing the individual fixtures.

Once the old tops have been removed it will be easy to check the condition of the rough, sub tops. If the rough tops are in questionable condition or show water damage, it will be necessary to replace them. The older rough tops were most often 1”x6” utility grade lumber, and if this is the case, they can be sheeted with ¼” plywood to provide the uniform surface that is required for granite. The plywood should be attached using galvanized, deck screws, at approximately every 6" over the entire sub top.

If the sub tops are in poor condition, a new rough top should be ¾’” exterior grade plywood. This can be attached using galvanized deck screws that are driven into the cabinet frames. Be sure the rough tops are shimmed along the wall to create a slight tilt toward the outer edge of the cabinets.

Granite countertops should be installed by a qualified contractor that has both the tools and the expertise required to produce a quality installation. Sizing and fitting granite is extremely tedious work that can only be done using an electric water saw and power grinders. Granite is extremely heavy and for this reason, the installation crew will usually consist of three, or four people, all with the knowledge and expertise that’s required to accomplish the installation.

The result of selecting the right tone and texture material, and hiring a reputable installation contractor, will be years of satisfaction, along with the value added beauty of granite countertops.