From quarry to installation: granite countertops and vanity tops
Granite has features as countertop or vanity top. The natural material makes it a perfect surface for these applications. Keep in mind that granite isn’t naturally ready-cut for your project and this must be done at the quarry. Check out the below information to learn more.
Granite can be found in both slabs and tile, but it is firstly cut from huge blocks removed from the earth where the granite has formed. The process of removing means including the use of huge chisels in order to separate the granite from surrounding stone.
Cutting granite at the quarry
After the process of removing the granite from the earth, it needs to be cut to size. This is generally done with wire saws that are treated with a varying range of abrasives (sand, aluminum oxide or diamond), along with water. Other types of cutting devices are often used in tandem, or in the absence of these wire saws. For example, water jet cutting, uses a focused, high-pressure stream.
After establishing if the granite blocks are going to be used for countertops and tile, they need to be cut and polished. The granite tile and slabs are calibrated to ensure that the thickness of the granite is uniform and gauged. Tiles are beveled to produce their smooth edges. Now, they are ready for starting the project.
Granite at your site
You now need to place the granite countertops or granite tile on your base cabinets! This process involves following a few steps to make sure that the granite surface match your space. Before anything, check the drawings and measurements of your installation space.
Most of the cutting that is about to happen will take place at the quarry, including spaces for sinks and fixtures. This can turn out to be a messy job, if not for some key equipment used to cut down on the large amount of dust that comes from cutting of the granite.
Cutting equipment and me
The most important pieces of equipment are the hand-held and the diamond bladed radial saw with a vacuum attachment which allows the installer to cut the stone with space for a sink and fixtures. The great news is that this process is done with minimum mess included. If you are using granite tile for a countertop, a dry-run is often a way for an installer to measure what needs to be cut. A process of laying the tiles without fastening them occurs to a base cabinet. This happens to make sure that the dimensions for a sink hole are accurate.
Templates of sinks and cook tops typically come with those items on purchase, and they will be important resources for the installer in achieving a successful installation. In most cases, the installer will generate a new template, based upon the measurements taken on site.
After the measurements have been made, the granite countertop can be installed, with a vapor barrier between it and the granite. The granite is then held in place with the use of a grade 2-part epoxy, which can be mixed with the color resin.
Ideas for leftover granite pieces
After the installation is finished, you have to keep in mind that if there has been on-site cutting, you may find that there granite leftover. Don’t consider this material as wastage because there are lots of ways to make the most of all of the granite leftovers. For example, many of these stray pieces of granite can be made part of a backsplash while another use can be custom-made coasters or elegant custom bread boards. We recommand you a talk with your installers since they can come up with even more great suggestions along these lines.
Granite is an excellent choice for countertops and vanity tops. Granite countertops are durable and stunning, and vanity tops will add value to your property. When it comes to a place reflecting refinement and long lasting, your granite project will definitely make the cut!
Click here to look at our online selection of naturally stunning granite countertops. Pick the right look for your kitchen or bath!