What to Expect During Your Granite Countertop Installation

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your kitchen could instantly transform into the one on the screen that you’ve just seen in our gallery featuring granite?

As with anything involving craftsmanship and excellence in decorative aesthetics, this is not going to happen. Granite countertop installation is thorough, methodical, and made to last for decades.

At Rock Solid Creations, we make sure of that. We also like our clients to know what to expect when we install your granite countertops. Here’s a walk-through of what typically happens when our specialist craftsmen get to work in your home.

We’re going to use the example of a kitchen since this is the room most often upgraded with granite countertops.

Preparation

You and Rock Solid have already done a lot of preparation. Everything from your first free consultation to choosing the granite and finish you want, and precise measurements for all countertops surfaces. But there are specific preparations for the big day when installation actually happens.

Getting the project area ready to receive our workers will help the project run smoothly and minimize the risk of accidents. Let’s start with the kitchen itself.

The Dust Factor

There’s no getting around it. Any type of redecoration or renovation is dusty work. And, as you know, the dust gets everywhere.

If you are replacing countertops on cabinets that you have already been using, we recommend you remove all appliances on all surfaces to another room. It’s also a good idea to remove flatware, tableware, utensils, and food from all cabinets and store them in another room. This is one way to keep things clean and avoid any accidental breakages.

Of course, we do clean up as much as possible after completion, but our clean-up is restricted mainly to the cabinet countertops and the floors and anything else we might make dirty during installation.

If your kitchen is open-plan, then covering nearby furniture with protective cloths or sheets is sensible.

There are several reasons why this is such a dusty business. First, we have to remove the existing countertops. Ideally, you should let Rock Solid do this for you, since we have experience in the matter, and also use it as an opportunity to prepare the cabinets to receive their new granite countertops.

Another dust creator is the cutting of the holes for the sink or basin and stove, if applicable. We have to cut these holes on-site, since transporting a slab of granite with the opening already cut is risky, and could result in that slab cracking or breaking. Given the unique patterning of each block of granite, this is not a risk we’re willing to take.

Chipping away at walls to install granite or tile splashbacks creates a mess, as does any drilling required to secure cabinets to the wall.

Other Preparations – Clearing the Path

Clear the way to the closest entrance to the site of work. Granite slabs are heavy and will need several people to carry them. Make sure their path is as easy as possible to get inside, by clearing obstacles (toys, small pot plants) out of the way. Also, ensure that pets are sectioned off in a different part of the property to the access route for Rock Solid.

For their own safety, the safety of your granite slabs, and the people carrying them, small children should stay well back from the installation activity. If you have other construction workers at the site (particularly if it is a new build), it is advisable for them to stop work while our specialists carry the granite inside. If you can, make plans to park your own car elsewhere, leaving your entire drive free for the Rock Solid delivery van.

When our Rock Solid fitment specialists arrive, they will inspect the site and make sure it is ready before bringing in the granite countertops. They will confer with you if anything over and above your preparations is necessary before they begin work. When they arrive, the installers will be happy to answer any questions you might still have.

Leveling Up

If applicable, Rock Solid will remove any existing countertops. The next step is important: making sure the cabinets are level and firmly secured to the wall. They will anchor freestanding units such as central workbenches or breakfast tables to the floor.

Because granite slab is very heavy, it is essential that its base (the cabinet) is secure and level so that the dual hazards of the slab cracking or tipping are avoided. Sometimes, all that is required to rectify a non-level surface is the placement of shims beneath the granite countertop. But this is not always the case. 

The best-case scenario is to remove the countertops of existing cabinets before measuring up for their granite replacements. This is because you might need a cabinet contractor to rectify the underlying structural problems well ahead of the arrival of the Rock Solid installation team.

The Cutting Edge

With the existing countertops removed, our team then needs to ensure the walls do not have any chunks of plaster missing and smooth the wall surfaces to receive the granite or tile backsplashes. We use laser templating and precision cutting tools on all granite pieces we craft. This includes the countertop edging options you will already have decided on.

The cleanness and precision of our cutting edge is a huge advantage when cutting the openings on-site for the sink and faucets. We take great pride in getting this part of the installation job perfect – whether your sink is of the under-mount or top-mount (also called drop-in) type. We have a dedicated team for this particular aspect of the work.

Some kitchens need a cut-out for the cooker too. The same process applies and we recommend a backsplash around the entire countertop perimeter for uniformity. It’s also very practical and makes cleaning up spills and splatters after cooking very easy indeed.

The other function of a backsplash is to conceal any irregularities that create small gaps between the granite slab and the wall. The result gives a neat, clean finish that is pleasing to the eye.

Seams and Granite Countertop Installation

The precision of the cutting technology we use enables us to achieve the closest possible fit between two slabs. We use the latest waterproof epoxy for caulking so that the join is barely visible. We can apply either a clear epoxy or one that we color and blend to match the color of your granite countertop.

Once the entire countertop has been installed, we recommend using a sealant. The granite we use is heat-, scratch- and stain-resistant. It’s a rock-solid product known for its durability.

Nevertheless, a sealant offers extra protection and adds an unbeatable, permanent gloss. Rock Sold Creations works with another trusted company that, for an additional cost, will seal your countertops after we have installed them. The sealing process comes with a 25-year warranty. 

Applying a sealant to polished granite makes keeping it clean extremely easy. Most often, all that is required is a soft cloth, mild soap, and a little warm water. Check with the sealant company which degreaser cleaning products are recommended for use after those messier cook-ups.

Clean-up After Completion

Once all granite is in place and secured, the installation team begins its clean-up operation. First, we remove any excess epoxy or caulk. Although we vacuum as we cut the holes for faucets and sinks, etc., we will give a thorough vacuum of the job site. The only evidence that we have ever been in your kitchen will be the glowing granite countertops themselves!

Certain safety considerations notwithstanding, we are happy for you to watch us while we work, and ask questions from time to time during installation (although we prefer no interruptions during the very demanding cut-out phase).

Before you sign off on the job, we usually give you a few tips on how to clean your new granite countertops and give you the opportunity to ask questions of a similar general nature.

How Long Does Installation Take?

The time taken will depend entirely on the size of your kitchen and the number of cut-outs we need to make. We normally estimate around four hours per 60 square feet of counter space.

In any case, we will give you a realistic time estimate when we arrange the installation date. Larger kitchens with complex cut-outs might take up to seven or eight hours.

In real terms, this means that you will be without your kitchen for about one day. That is a small price to pay for what is an investment of a lifetime that adds considerable value to your home. 

Go With Granite, Go With Rock Solid

Granite countertop installation might inconvenience your household for a day or so, but you can rest safe in the knowledge that expert workmanship will last a long, long time. And your refitted kitchen, bathroom, fireplace, or outdoor living feature will look good — and brand new if cared for properly — for years and years.

Why don’t you get your project moving now? Schedule a free granite consultation with us or visit our Chesterfield showroom in St. Louis, Missouri.

We know that you’re going to be spoilt for choice. We also know that you’re going to be delighted with the installed result for years to come. And from start to finish we’ll be delighted to help you make your dream come true.