Why You Shouldn’t Install Granite Counters Yourself
Nothing compares to the classic beauty of granite, marble, travertine, or any other natural-stone countertop. Though caring for natural stone is relatively simple, some homeowners underestimate just how challenging it can be to install granite and other natural stone correctly. Along with the safety concerns of handling heavy stone counters, a DIY installation can be easy to spot. Natural-stone slabs can be expensive, so it's best to trust the job to a professional.
Granite and Other Natural-Stone Slabs Need to Be Supported and Level
One of the most challenging aspects of installing natural stone—granite, marble, travertine, and others—is ensuring everything is lined up. A professional installer will understand how to adjust the slab to ensure it fits properly. While some countertop materials can simply be placed on top of the countertops and glued in place, natural stone is very heavy and needs to be supported. Granite and other natural stone counters often require the use of rebar and reinforcement to ensure the stone doesn't crack under its own weight.
Professional Installation Offers High-Quality Results
A professional installer can quickly notice the mistakes that come from DIY installation, including an uneven slab, incorrect grout work, obvious grout lines, and cracks or stress fractures from insufficient support. If you want to avoid paying more money later to fix issues that arise from poor installation, make sure you choose an experienced installer.
Professional Installation Is Faster and Easier
Attempting to install your own granite or other natural-stone countertop can quickly become a time-consuming and arduous process. Without experience, you will likely be left consulting manuals and how-to guides every step of the way. With a professional installer, the job will be completed much faster, which means getting your kitchen back and enjoying your new properly installed countertops sooner.
Pros Have the Right Tools
Granite countertop installation can be very complicated when you have cut-outs for sinks and appliances, need a backsplash, or have complex design features like odd angles and pop-up ventilation. A high-quality installation requires not only heavy lifting and experience with balancing and supporting stone, but also a range of materials and tools. Depending on the job, granite installation may require a power saw, drills, filing tools, scribing tools, and a belt sander. Your project may also require someone with plumbing and electrical knowledge to hook up your dishwasher, garbage disposal, and other components.