When shopping for and purchasing new stone countertops, it is important to understand the installation process ahead of time so that you know full well what lies ahead. A professional fabricator is usually hired to install stone materials such as granite, marble, quartz, and other heavy or special materials to ensure a proper fit and design. The challenging nature of Countertops Installation requires appropriate equipment and tool as well as knowledge and experience.
In this article, we will describe the ins and outs of professional Countertops Installation including how Granite Countertops are installed and if this is different from the marble and Quartz Countertops installation process. Once the material is selected and the kitchen surfaces are accurately measured, the following are expected from the Countertops Installation process.
The Preparation
During the buying and hiring process, ask if the installer will remove old countertops and disconnect plumbing and electrical fixtures. While Absolute Stone Design installers will take care of all action items, some installers will not, so it will be necessary to rent out. If removing existing countertops is included, keep in mind the clear surfaces of appliances such as coffins, soap pumps, decorations, etc., your kitchen will not have access for many hours, so you will want to remove items that you would like to remove are required days like silverware, food, telephone etc.
Clean a passageway to the kitchen so that the installer has easy access, and keep pets and young children away from the work area. If you do not have a contractor coordinating the process, ensure that all new sinks, taps and cooktops are to be placed on or inside the site.
Time Limit
The amount of time it takes for a professional installation will depend on the size of your project, design details, and materials. For example, installation of marble countertops will often take less time than tile, considering the intricacies that come later. The time frame of the installer will depend on the intricacies of the space including accessibility, custom design features such as sink and cooktop cutouts, and countertop disassembly and removals. For Natural Stone Countertops, plan on an installer to be in your kitchen for anywhere from four to eight hours.
Countertops Installation
Natural stone is a common procedure for Countertops Installation. The slabs are either shredded or to fit pre-determined measurements on site by skilled fabricators. This includes crafting custom edges and creating cutouts for under-mount sinks and cooktops. Even if the slabs are cut and prepared, once finished, they will be applied to bare counters, leveled and secured. The seam (where two pieces of stone are placed together) will be paired with epoxy mixed with a color that matches the stone. The included area is then smoothed so that only a very thin line is visible. To make the cabinets more secure to the stone, attachment blocks are used.
Note: It is important that your cabinets are level and wall-protected or anchored to the floor. If they are uneven, the shims can be placed under new countertops to level the surface areas.
The installer must have the necessary equipment to meet many challenges.
Marble and Granite Installation vs. Quartz
You may ask: How is the installation of a quartz countertop different from a marble and granite installation? The answer is not very different. However, because quartz is engineered (man-made) into slabs of the same size (including jumbo-shaped), there is often less need to align and seal the seam.
Furthermore, Quartz is boundless so it never needs to be sealed, where both granite and marble must be sealed at the time of installation and every year or once thereafter.
Cutout and Sink Installation
With Absolute Stone Design CNC technology, we have the ability to cutout any sink or surface unit with computer-aided design files. The under-mount sinks (sinks mounted under the countertop to avoid showing any rim) are completely cut out and polished inside the hole. The countertop is then flipped over and fitted with special grommets for your plumber to hold onto the sink.
In some instances the cutout will need to be made onsite. This includes cooktops, special sinks, tap holes, and more. Self-riming cutouts are cut 6 outs in each corner off-site, allowing some straight sections to be cut to facilitate safe shipping.
If in-house construction is necessary, our team will take the greatest support of safety measures to reduce dust and dirt. Consider covering any furniture nearby to protect it from dust.
Your under-mount sink will be mounted on new stone countertops with clips and sealed with silicone. Wait 12 hours for the airtight seal to dry.
Post Installation
Once everything is in place, sealed, leveled, dried and quality-checked, your Countertops Installation is complete. We will reconnect the fixtures and wires as needed. Remember, other installers may not be eligible for re-wiring, so it will be necessary to hire an electrician. The lead installer will review ongoing care and maintenance information specific to your particular countertop material. Granite differs from quartz in that it differs from marble, so be sure to know what to use and care for. Your investment in this project is worthy of quality installation. Visit one of our showrooms to discuss further how Absolute Stone Design can make your new countertop purchase (from beginning to end) smooth and stress-free.
Kitchen Countertops, Granite Countertops, Quartz Countertops | Absolute Stone Design 