Granite countertops are quite attractive. And they fit into any kitchen space and are a massive upgrade to your kitchen. 

Granite countertop colors and patterns will make your kitchen appear stylish.  But that would depend massively on the installation. 

So, if you’re planning to mount granite countertops in your kitchen space, you have to make everything work. You have paid the contractor handling the project, quite alright. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have anything to contribute. You do.   

You can help prepare the cabinets to help speed up the work and make a big impact on the entire outcome. Read to learn more.

How To Prepare Cabinets For Granite Countertops

Here are some simple ways you can prepare your cabinets, so that the granite countertop installation can take place smoothly.  

Step 1: Take out the old countertops

If you’re replacing countertops, you’ll need to take out the old ones first before installing the new ones. Start by removing the adhesive or screws that hold the countertops to the wall with a screwdriver.

Once you’ve removed the screws or adhesive, then you can pull out the old countertop.

Step 2: Level the cabinet surface

You must level the surface of your cabinet so your granite countertop can rest properly. The leveled surface also reinforces your countertop and guarantees that it will last a long time.

You can add fasteners under the cabinets to level the surface and ensure a proper fit.  Alternatively, you can use plywood for appropriate leveling.  

Even if you are using plywood, make sure you use fasteners underneath.However, leveling your countertops with plywood will add extra weight to the kitchen cabinet. 

Step 3: Get solid cabinets and materials

Granite is a heavy material. Therefore, you need to consider its weight before choosing it as a countertop for your kitchen cabinet. Also, it’s best not to use granite on surfaces that don’t have cabinets to support them.

If your kitchen cabinet is old, you can get alternative materials to reinforce the cabinet surface before installing the granite countertop. 

Step 4: Take off Your Plumbing Systems

As a homeowner, you need to remove your plumbing system in place, including taps, before installing your granite countertops.This removal makes it easier to install your granite countertops over your cabinets properly.

When removing the required plumbing facilities, make sure you turn off your main water supply. Otherwise, you may mess your kitchen with water. In addition, the leaking faucets may end up damaging your cabinets, making them unfit for installation. 

Alternatively, yours may be a new home with no plumbing installation yet. In this case, you should fix the granite countertops over the cabinets before installing the plumbing system.

Step 5: Remove the Dishes

Clear all dishes from the cabinets to prevent breakage during the installation. If you’ve got so many platesthat you can’t move, you can use protective linen to cover them from dust and debris. 

Step 6: Be active during the installation

Well, you can’t be so sure of the preparations you have made. So, you need to be present during the installation of granite countertops.

This way, you also can tell the contractors about your preferences and reservations, which could be the top flange of the sink or the countertop seams. 

Can Granite Countertops Break?

You’d think that because granite is one of the hardest rocks, you could get away with just about anything on your granite countertops.

During regular use, granite countertops are unlikely to break. But, most cracks occur during construction, handling, installation, or placing hot things on the surface.In addition, standing on countertops can also cause granite to break.

Which Is The Best Adhesive For Granite?

Epoxy glue is the most popular form of adhesive used to install granite countertops. Epoxy’s chemical properties make it excellent glue for granite, with a hard, nonporous surface. 

Epoxy glue is the best choice for both indoors and outdoors countertops.The essential qualities include excellent thermal resistance, outstanding mechanical and physical strength, and good resistance to sub-freezing temperatures. 

What Are The Best Finishes For Granite Countertops?

Granite comes in a wide range of colors and styles and finishes. Honed, polished, flamed, and leathered are the most common granite countertop finishes.

The honed finish

The honed finish, also known as buffed or matte, produces a flat surface with no reflection or gloss. 

Although honed finishes are most commonly used on floors to prevent slipping, homeowners also apply them on kitchen countertops. However, granite countertops with honed finishes are more prone to stains. 

Therefore, you may need to maintain honed granite more frequently than other finishes. 

The leathered finish

The finish is also known as the brushed finish. It’s made by brushing diamond-tipped brushes across a honed surface to give roughness and minor dimples. Leathered finishes have a more refined and textured outlook. 

Unlike the honed finish, leathered countertops often retain the natural stone’s color.Therefore, this finish is perfect if you want your granite countertop to have a more rustic appearance, conceal stains, scratches, and fingerprints.

The flamed finish

The flamed granite surface is rare due to the high heat applied to the stone’s surface. As a result, the finish is primarily used in outdoor kitchens but not indoor countertops.

Granite is heated to intense temperatures to generate a flamed finish, which causes the stone’s grains to explode and change color. The flamed finish has a rougher surface with a soft, natural look.

The polished finish

This finish is the most popular for granite countertops. The glossy finish gives the granite countertop a radiant, almost crystal appearance. In addition, the qualities of the stone are enhanced with a polished finish. 

The polished finish is the easiest to clean and maintain. As a result, the polished-finish counters always appear as new as ever. Furthermore, the glossy finish seals the stone’s pores, preventing water and moisture from entering.

Are Granite Countertop Still In Vogue?

If you’re planning a kitchen design, you might be wondering if granite countertops will appear outdated in ten years. However, consumers and homeowners have fallen in love with granite over the last two decades, and this trend isn’t going away anytime soon. 

The fact that granite countertops have been in high demand since the 1990s should prove that they aren’t merely a vogue. Economists predict that sales of granite countertops will increase until 2025.

 Granite has remained popular for a long time because it is beautiful and durable, and simple to maintain.

Although some may argue that granite is nothing more than a vogue, there’s more! It’s also a significant investment! So you want to be sure that you’re getting value for your money.

Why’s Granite Countertop The Best Choice?

Granite is still the best option for kitchen countertops in the United States. Unlike most other countertop materials, Granite countertops are 100% natural, rugged, and highly durable. 

In addition, it has low maintenance and comes in various colors and patterns to suit almost any design choice.

There is natural granite to suit every design style, from subtle white granites to solid black granites and every color in between.

What Are The Downsides Of Granite Countertops?

Although granite countertops have juicy benefits, there are a few drawbacks to consider before installing granite countertops in your kitchen.

Stain

Granite’s porous nature makes it prone to discoloration. When the liquid makes its way into the stone, condensation, colored fluids, and water spills may leave temporary stains. Oils may also leave permanent stains on the countertop.

Bacteria

Bacteria can thrive in the same pores that retain water beneath the surface of the granite countertop. When you wipe the surface with a towel, food, moisture, and germs are pushed into the pores. 

These germs survive in the holes. They’re eventually transmitted to your food or dishes when they are exposed to the surface. 

Weight

Granite countertops are heavier than other countertops of the same size. As a result, placing a granite slab countertop on a fragile cabinet can lead to cracking or outright breaking. 

The granite countertop’s weight is also an issue for home renovators who must rely on a team of professionals for installation.

Cost

Granite is on the higher end of the price scale when compared to other countertop alternatives. 

In addition, granite installation is not a do-it-yourself project. You would require the services of a professional, which makes it more expensive.

Maintenance

Granite is highly durable, but it requires a lot of maintenance to keep it shiny. You can seal off the surface regularly to prevent discoloration and water penetration.

In addition, you must also be careful with the cleaning agents you use on the granite countertops.  Granite cleaners must have a neutral pH balance because acidic cleaners can destroy the glossy surface.

Conclusion

Beauty and durability are one of the reasons to buy a granite countertop. Granite countertops are the best investment to increase the value of your homes.  They also last for as long as your house stands.

Installing granite countertops is a big task, but it’s achievable if you plan and prepare carefully. 

First, you must adequately prepare your cabinets before installation. Your preparation makes it easier for professionals to install the countertops.

You can add a layer of plywood beneath the granite to reinforce the structure and prevent damage.