What to Expect with Your Granite Countertop Installation
Having brand-new natural stone countertops installed in your kitchen is extremely exciting. These luxurious countertops are certain to last you for many years to come, and provide an updated aesthetic to your kitchen.
If you’ve never had new granite countertops installed before in your Phoenix, AZ home, you’re probably wondering what you should expect from the installation process. It’s important to know that installing stone countertops (like granite) is not as fast or easy as other types of countertop installation. It’s also important that you work with a team of professionals who are experienced with this task and know what they’re doing so you can avoid damage to the countertop or to other parts of your home.
Here’s an overview of what you should expect and prepare for when installing new granite countertops in Phoenix, AZ.
Preparing for installation
Before the installation team shows up at your home, there are some actions you can take to make the job go smoother for them.
The most important thing is making sure there’s an easy path from the door to the kitchen. You may need to clear out some items or move some furniture so they can easily get where they need to go while transporting the heavy stone. You should also make sure the kitchen is blocked off from children and pets.
Depending on the kind of countertop you’re installing and the layout of your home, you might consider covering nearby furniture and items to prevent dust from settling on them.
Removing the existing countertop
Some installation teams require that the current countertop be removed before they begin work, while others will do it for you. Make sure this is something you settle on with the contractor before the installation day arrives. It’s generally preferable to have the professionals take care of it, as there may be some extra care or special tools required to avoid damaging walls and cabinets.
Installing the countertop
The next step is to install the new countertop. The stone slabs will be laid out, and then they must be leveled before they can be secured. There may need to be some shims used if the cabinets aren’t perfectly level. All seams of the stone will have an epoxy used to cement the granite pieces to each other. That epoxy will be appropriately mixed and colored on site to match the countertop so you can have as seamless an appearance as possible.
Installing the other portions
Once the base countertop is installed, you can move on to the sink, backsplash and cutouts. If you have a cooktop instead of a slide-in range, this is where you’ll need to cut out the hole, which is a process you can expect to create some dust. Different types of sinks install in different ways; some are top-mounted, while others are under-mounted. Silicone will need to be added to create a watertight seal.
To learn more about installing granite countertops in Phoenix, AZ, contact Petrus Countertops and Remodeling today. We’d be glad to address your concerns.
Categorised in: Granite Countertops