Once you’ve made the decision to include granite countertops or floors in your home’s décor, you may be a bit concerned about what to expect during the installation process. After all, this is a big investment in your home, and you want to know that you’ve made a good decision. Assuming you’ve hired a professional granite installation company, you can be sure that your finished countertops or floors will be everything you envisioned.

However, even though you know you’ve done your homework on granite selection and installer, you may still have some concerns. To reassure you, here are some guarantees on the durability and strength of granite.

Granite Installation Considerations

• Granite countertops are one of the hardest surfaces you can use in your home, but they are easier for your cabinets to support than the weight of the average person standing on the counter.

• Granite countertops are measured in the same way as any other countertop in your home; however, they cannot be measured until the cabinet below has been installed. Also, make sure the manufacturer who is installing them does the measurement.

• Make sure you or the installer allow plenty of time for the project to be finished. Usually it takes 3-4 weeks from the date the measurements were taken. If there are any problems in the course of installation, this time will be longer.

• Granite slabs are typically sold in 10-foot rectangular sections, so it’s not uncommon to have at least one seam. Also, it’s not uncommon to use an “L” shape, as it’s more cost effective and works better for corners. When possible, seams in bathroom countertops will be at the sink to make the seam less noticeable. Granite may or may not be installed over plywood, it is up to the installer to determine if it can be done based on your specific situation.

sewing

There are several things to consider about the appearance of granite. After all, they are part of the overall look and can add character and beauty to the finished product.

• The seams are always made on a straight edge and sealed with a small bead of silicone. The silicone bead will be between 1/16 and 1/8 of an inch.

• Granite slabs vary in thickness, so to prevent an uneven seam, installers use shims on the bottom of the top so the top surface is level. This is a normal part of the installation process, so don’t panic if you notice shims, if you choose to observe part of the installation process.

• It is standard practice to have some type of backsplash when you have granite countertops. Typically the backsplash is at least 4 inches tall, although it can be taller if desired.

• Most granite countertops will have a 1-inch overhang, but this can be modified if desired.