Do It Yourself Granite Countertops - A Great Way to Save Money

For durability and sheer practicality, you simply can’t beat granite countertops.  For the clumsy amongst us, and let’s face it accidents do happen in busy kitchens, granite has to be the material of choice when it comes to ease of cleaning, durability and resilience. 

Installing Granite Countertops yourself may seem daunting. However, anybody with a moderate level of DIY should not find it such a challenge. Prices for installation of granite countertops can vary greatly. You can expect to pay upwards of $1000 for installation by a professional. Self installation of your granite countertops should come in significantly cheaper – probably in the region of $700 or less. 

Granite Supplier

You will need to find a supplier for the granite itself, and once you have sourced the materials at a good price, you will need to provide your supplier with the dimensions of the surfaces required, including any cut outs for sinks and holes for faucets. If you wish to replace your existing surface with granite countertops, it is best to make a template of the existing surface.  Be sure to let the supplier know the type of edge you require on your new countertop.   

Granite is Heavy

A word of caution!  Granite is extremely heavy and granite countertops are by their nature bulky items. The material will also break easily if dropped. Weak points include areas cut out for sinks, where the breadth of the surface is narrow.  If you are intending to do a fully DIY installation it’s wise to make sure that you have several willing helpers on hand to maneuver the sections into position. 

When your granite countertops are due to arrive make sure you have removed your old countertop.  It’s a good idea to clear out your cabinets to prevent debris, dust and damage to your favorite crockery. 
When carrying the granite do not carry in a flat position. It will almost certainly break – carry the sections of granite vertically.

Putting the Countertop in Place

Run a small bead of strong adhesive – such as liquid nail – along the entire edge of the cabinets, then place the top in its position. Make sure that the distance from the edge of the countertop to the cabinets is equal along the length of the cabinet, adjusting as required.  Next, check the level of the surface; if it needs adjusting you can use a narrow piece of wood to do so. Try to disturb the countertop as little as possible when doing this. If there is a gap at the back of the countertop and the wall this should not be a problem. As long as the gap is not too great it should be hidden by your backsplash. Seal between the backsplash and countertop with a clear silicone.  As granite is porous it will need to be sealed to make it spill resistant. This can be done by yourself or your supplier.

Once installed granite countertops will provide you with an excellent, enduring surface that will withstand a lifetime of use in a busy kitchen.