How to Install a Granite Countertop

Ron paid a visit to his neighbor, Annie, in Wilton, Connecticut, who is a practitioner in Feng Shui, the ancient art of living in harmony with your environment. There is nothing quite like the durability and beauty of granite, but Annie chose it for more spiritual reasons as well. She asked Ron to give her a hand with the whole process.

Click Here For a list of what you will need in order to complete this project.

1. Select granite
Granite is a natural product that is available in a huge selection of colors and natural patterns.

2. Template
The granite retailer will visit your home and create a template that they will bring back to the yard and use to cut the stone.

The template is made by laying thin strips of plywood along the edges of the existing countertop. This process reduces measuring areas, accurately reproduces angles, and shows the sink location. The individual strips are glued together with a hot metal adhesive, forming a rigid pattern that can be lifted off in one piece. Notations about edge profiles and sink style are written on the face of the template.

The template is taken back to the fabrication plant, laid on the slab, and traced.

A laser-sided saw cuts along the outline. The saw is equipped with a diamond blade that is water cooled to prevent the granite from chipping or cracking.

3. Remove old countertop
Before the new countertop can be installed, the old one needs to be removed. Begin by disconnecting the old sink plumbing. Sinks are generally either glued onto the countertop or attached underneath with screws. If the sink is glued, then use a putty knife, and work it around the outside edge of the sink until it is loose.

The old backsplash, which is also glued into place, needs to be removed. It is important to take every precaution against damaging the wall and the paint above the backsplash. If you are not careful, it is easy to accidentally punch a hole in the sheetrock as you pry the backsplash away from the wall.

First, use a utility knife to cut through the bead of caulk that seals the upper edge of the backsplash. Next, tap a wide putty knife in behind the back splash.

The putty knife provides a solid surface to pry against, and should protect the wall from any damage. Use a pry bar to pry away the backsplash, moving the putty knife each time you pry in a new position.

Most laminate countertops are held down with a few screws attached from the bottom. Locate these screws to remove the countertop. If the countertop is also glued into place, try using the putty knife again, to gently pry the countertop up.

4. Appliances
Remove any appliances that are in the way. The dishwasher may need to be removed so that you can reach all of the screws that are holding the countertop in place. Again, disconnect all of the plumbing and electrical before removing any of the appliances.

After everything that is attached to the countertop is removed, it should be relatively easy to take it out. Once the old countertop is removed, replace the dishwasher before the new countertop arrives.

5. New granite
Bringing a piece of granite countertop into the house is no easy feat, since a typical slab weighs about 600 pounds. Once the slab is in place, it takes a team of skilled craftsmen to do the final trimming and fitting. The new sink is mounted underneath the new countertop, and is clamped in place until it can be permanently attached. Holes are drilled for the faucet and soap dispenser and the back splash is slipped into place.

What began as a massive slab in the yard, was transformed into a stunning countertop, expertly installed in Annie's kitchen. The granite beautifully complemented the color of her existing cabinets while also introducing a bluish tone into the kitchen.