We are all for the DIY mindset. Here at Bedrock Quartz, we get that homeowners appreciate the opportunities they get to work on and improve their homes. But when it comes to installing granite countertops, the job is not necessarily a good candidate for DIY. You really need to know what you’re doing to do it right.
Bedrock Quartz sells granite countertops throughout Utah. It just so happens that we install what we sell, too. If you have the DIY skills and the right tools to install granite countertops yourself, by all means, go for it. But if not, we can take care of the installation for you.
Laying Out Countertops
The big worry with granite for most DIYers is cutting the material. Interestingly, cutting granite is not any more difficult than cutting MDF and other materials. With the right tools and knowledge, cutting granite is very doable for a DIYer. A bigger concern is laying out the countertops before they are cut.
It goes without saying that granite is not as forgiving as laminate. If just one angle is off, it could mess up the entire project. If you cut a piece just slightly too long, grinding off the excess can be a major headache. If it is too short, you have an even bigger problem.
Professionals tend to lay out and template kitchen spaces before they do anything else. Carefully crafted templates make for more accurate cuts. So in essence, a DIY homeowner really needs to know how to lay out and template in order to install granite countertops correctly.
Working with the Material
Actually working with granite can be a challenge due to its weight. As a natural stone product, granite is heavy. Making matters worse is the fact that manufacturers attempt to avoid seams whenever possible. So you could be looking at a fairly sizable and heavy piece of granite for a long countertop.
Professional installers work in crews. It is no big deal for a crew of three or four guys to pick up, move, and place a heavy piece of granite. But if you are working alone as a DIY homeowner, you are probably going to struggle. You will need help to at least get the stone in the house and laid on top of the cabinets.
Also, bear in mind that granite is somewhat brittle. A long piece can actually break if it’s carried with no weight supporting the center. Professional crews know this. They know how to carry granite without risking a catastrophic break.
Cutting Granite Countertops
As for cutting the material, it can be cut either wet or dry. Wet cutting tends to be a little bit easier, but most DIY homeowners do not have the right equipment. The good news is that wet saws can be rented from the local home improvement store.
While wet cutting does create a bit of a mess that needs to be cleaned up, so does dry cutting. Dry cutting creates a tremendous amount of dust that can be difficult to deal with. Therefore, it is best to do it outside and to have a second pair of hands manning a vacuum to suck up the dust as you cut.
Regardless of how you choose to cut, eye, ear, and dust protection is a must. Granite dust is not something to mess around with.
If you are the kind of person who appreciates DIY projects, we tip the Bedrock Quartz hat to you. But we do strongly suggest that you consider professional installation of your new granite countertops. Things will turn out better that way.
