Do-it-yourself projects, or DIY projects, are a popular amateur alternative to professional tasks. The countertops found in kitchens are one prominent area for DIY projects, particularly installation of a DIY granite countertop. A good deal of the initial work can be eased by choosing a solid granite supplier that offers comprehensive tools and services. Choosing the proper cutting and gluing methods can also alleviate the strain of the project.
Specific DIY tools will likely be needed for a DIY granite countertop project, so it will save time to locate all of this equipment. These supplies include polishing stones and compounds, diamond blade circular saws, seam fillers, and dye packs. A granite supplier may also cut and shape any openings in the granite work — like faucet and sink spaces — which will save you time in trying to perform these tasks by yourself. Providing a sketch of the kitchen with dimensions outlined will help such suppliers determine a reasonable price.
Prepping the work area for a DIY granite countertop is crucial, and choosing the right granite will likely precede other steps. Styles and colors are diverse, so you will want to consider your personal preferences along with the style of the overall kitchen, especially the cabinets. Once the granite is chosen, precise measurements are crucial. The final measurements should consider how much the countertop will hang over attached cabinets. As for the cabinets themselves, placing a piece of plywood atop them can assist in both supporting the granite and in ensuring that the countertop edges do not hinder cabinet functioning.
Cutting can be a particularly challenging aspect of installing a DIY granite countertop, so you may want to mark measurements on a template sheet of thick paper or material rather than on the granite itself. Thin and long pieces should be avoided, as they are easily snapped. For inside corners, a hard diamond blade will help make the necessary straight cut near the finished edge. Maintaining the efficiency of the saw blade can also smoothly move the project along, so a misting system that eliminates excess heat and dust from the blade may be especially helpful. Filling and polishing supplies can help smooth over any imperfections encountered while cutting.
The granite slabs may be adjusted with screws. These small devices can be used to move the countertop up and down and thus help adjust height. A level can also help with this process.
Gluing the granite slabs can best be accomplished with aid and diligence. Assisting individuals can lift the granite. Then, silicone drops should be placed roughly every 6 to 12 inches (15.2 to 30.5 centimeters)around the cabinet’s perimeter. In addition, caulk should be applied around and atop the sink rim. The calk helps keep water from between the countertop and the sink. Filling in granite seams can be achieved with polyester resin and dye colors mixed to match the granite’s color.
Even in a do-it-yourself project, some level of assistance is a good idea, particularly for a DIY granite countertop. For one, the granite can be both heavy and fragile. Attempting to handle these slabs alone can result in injury to the slabs or to yourself. Additional sets of hands can also help determine measurements, ease the gluing process, and diminish overall working time.
