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Remodeling

How Long Does It Take to Install New Kitchen Countertops?

When our kitchen countertops show the inevitable signs of wear and tear, the time factor is one of the most common issues that hold us back from replacing them. Installing new kitchen countertops sounds like an enormous project that depends on your contractor’s availability, access to raw materials, and the time it will take.

These considerations, in turn, mean you have to weigh the cost of not being able to access or use all the facilities in your kitchen. As we all know, it is easier said than done, especially when there are meals to prep, make, cook, and heat.

To help you plan, keep these tips in mind when installing new kitchen countertops, whether installing them from scratch or replacing worn-out ones.

To start with, let’s address the most critical factor – time. And here, you must consider whether you’re building on-site or off-site. While only your contractor can confirm the actual time after considering your kitchen’s materials, size, texture, layout, etc., everything from the sourcing to its building can take anywhere from weeks to a month or two to complete.

On average, it can take several hours to a day to install the actual countertop once it’s ready.

The Step-by-Step Process of Installing Kitchen Countertops

It is not a job for a single person or one without the right know-how. Installing your kitchen countertops involves the following steps:

  • Getting the right fit and measurements: Once you finalize the material and texture of your countertop, make sure it’s designed and cut with precision and accuracy to ensure it fits the designated space perfectly. Check edges, ledges, and corners especially. We use a digital laser template for your kitchen before installation. This attention to detail ensures everything is manufactured for an excellent fit.
  • Remove your old countertop: This step involves disconnecting your water source, removing the backsplash and appliances like sinks and drain taps that could get in the way, and scraping away any old caulking. Once you remove the screws and bolts, you can carefully lift away the old countertop. Lifting is a job for more than one person and should be done with care and by a professional.
  • Check the fit: Before installing the new countertop, it’s essential to confirm that the size and fit are right.
  • Fit in your countertop: Once the countertop is in place, set the countertops to the proper plane, following the cabinetry, leveled out, and adequately supported with wooden shims. Attach the sink to the countertop with a physical anchoring system and pure silicone around the sink. From there, apply silicone around the entire perimeter to provide proper support and lock the countertop in the appropriate position. Then install the backsplash, gluing it down with caulk, and apply a pure silicone between the countertop and backsplash to ensure a watertight seal and easy cleaning. Apply paintable caulk to the top to provide a clean, sealed, and finished look with the ability to paint it if desired.
  • Put your backsplash and appliances back: After installing the new backsplash, you can reconnect the plumbing. We typically recommend you wait one day before using your kitchen to allow for all the supporting glues to cure fully.

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Your kitchen countertop must be both functional and aesthetic to make the most of your room. When done well, it can be the focal point of this area.

This is a project where you would do well to get the help of professionals. It is best to avoid handling large, heavy slabs and particular tools if you do not have the right technical know-how or the required number of people suited for the job.

At GranitePro, we consider all factors and work to install your countertops most quickly and efficiently while guaranteeing all parameters are carefully in place. Contact us today to see how we can make your dream kitchen a reality.

Tips When Looking for a Granite Expert Near You

Granite countertops are unique in that they offer so much potential for visual impact in your home apart from being just functional. They can transform an ordinary kitchen, bathroom, or just about any area into an extraordinary space that boasts a distinct focal point when done well.

But as durable and distinctive as they are, granite countertops need experts who know how to make the slabs work for their intended space, ensuring that they’re making an impact. Equipping yourself with the right team to discuss, share ideas about what’s possible, and find the best fit is crucial before shopping for your granite countertops.

What You Should Look For When Buying Granite Countertops

The high-visual impact is just one aspect of the buying process for granite countertops. As far in advance as possible, go to a showroom to physically feel the touch and texture of the stone.

The color options with granite are also vast. Some granites are more durable and lower maintenance than others; each has unique properties. It is essential to work with an expert familiar with all the different materials to ensure you select a stone that will work best for your lifestyle and taste. Specific selections might not work for families with small kids or pets. Additionally, families who don’t have the time for upkeep should look for hardier options to avoid their countertops getting chipped or damaged.

The natural movement or pattern gives each slab distinctive swirls and depth. Try looking for slabs mined from the same quarry if you’re after something a bit more uniform. Even then, be prepared for each slab to have one-of-a-kind characteristics. After all, this is precisely what makes granite so exceptional as a material. At GranitePro, we only use consecutive slabs to ensure consistency throughout your project.

When working with a fabricator, ask to see their past works. A good fabricator will account for different materials’ flow and movement, maximizing consistency throughout the kitchen, highlighting the parts you love, and hiding or eliminating the ones you don’t. This consideration will save you a lot of heartaches later.

While shopping too, don’t just pick up what looks good in a shop. Instead, discuss how it will fit your existing décor, layout, needs, and design with the experts. Take the time to understand what the various grades imply and see what best suits your space and budget.

Finally, it doesn’t end with just choosing the slab that seems like the ideal fit. That’s as good as giving a bunch of ingredients to a chef and expecting them to work magic without knowing their level of expertise and particular skill set. You want to put a lot of thought and research into who you select to cut and install your countertops. This planning can make or break your space and affect the overall quality and longevity of the final product.

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Given the risks and expenses you need to invest in selecting a granite countertop, it’s not a DIY project. But even as far as experts go, it’s essential to pick people with the right know-how.

At GranitePro, we have the knowledge, expertise, and tools to bring granite’s functional and aesthetic benefits to your home. So, if you’re in the market to buy new countertops, contact us today to see how we can help design a space that feels and looks how you envision.

How to Remove Granite Countertops

When it comes to countertops, it’s hard to find a material that checks all the right boxes – until you consider granite. Granite is durable, stain, moisture, and scratch-resistant, completely natural, can be easily cleaned, and of course, looks stunning. You are also spoiled for choice when it comes to colors and variation.

What’s not to love about it? With all these benefits, you need to consider one aspect – the color scheme of your home may need to change over the years to keep a fresh and updated look. Oftentimes, this means choosing a fresh countertop color that will compliment your new color scheme.

Taking them out and replacing them could be the best and most cost-effective solution in your home improvement project, but removing the countertop, too, involves careful handling and expertise. Consider the following tips on how to remove granite countertops.

Tips on How to Remove Granite Countertops, Proper Removal, and Disposal

Disclaimer: We highly advise against attempting to remove granite countertops yourself and that you call a professional granite countertop company. Failure to properly perform this act may result in serious injury or death. The guidelines below are simply tips for the most common situations we come across – these tips are not going to apply to every situation. GranitePro is not liable for any injuries, damages, or deaths that may occur as a result of the tips provided below.

Preparation

First, start by emptying all drawers and cabinets to avoid dust contamination or breakage, especially in your kitchen. You need to have the right tools, which should include a dust mask, gloves, wrench, safety goggles, putty knife, caulk softener, bucket, screwdriver, pry bar, box cutter, chisel, and a saw that is capable of being used on a material as heavy and large as a granite countertop.

Next, turn off all electricity to prevent any accidents. Do the same with your water connection by shutting off the hot and cold lines and the emergency cut-off valve and disengage all water lines. To detach the faucets, you must first trace the disconnected water lines to the bottom of the sink.

Use pliers to turn the nuts on the bottom of the hold-down brackets counterclockwise, making detaching them more manageable, and remove the faucets by simply pushing them from the rim in an upward direction. To remove the sink, do the same – unscrew the nuts on the hold down brackets that you will find at the base of the tub, and break the caulk that seals the sink to the countertop with a flat chisel or a knife. Place a rubber mallet on the bottom of the sink to help lift it away.

This is the best way to remove an under-mount sink. However, breaking through the adhesive layer that fixes the sink to the countertop with a putty knife or a chisel is the best way to approach removing a drop-in fixture sink.

Removal

Your next step is to tackle removing the granite from the plywood that may be glued to your countertop depending on the thickness of the granite which was installed, which you can remove by loosening the screws that connect the plywood sheet to the cabinet by using a screw tip and a drill. These are screws found inside the cabinet, but you could also see them running into the plywood from the top.

If you don’t find this, you can remove the plywood easily by simply breaking the adhesive. Now, take a hammer and pry bar and start working from the topmost edge of the backsplash that is connected to the granite countertop by striking it slowly in small, consistent steps until you can easily remove the backsplash.

Good till now? That’s your foundation done. What’s left is the main task – removing the actual granite. Start by finding the joint that connects the cabinet to the countertop and breaking the glue by inserting a pry bar into this space and gently hitting it with a hammer. Hold the countertop in the right spot by tapping a wooden shim between it and the front edge of the cabinet.

From there, screw and shim down for the front side until the frame comes off. Keep at this process by going further inside the cabinet using the pry bar to raise the granite away from the cabinet supports until you can raise the granite slab. Do it carefully to avoid breaking the countertop, and make sure you put wooden shims at all points to hold the gap between the two.

The tough part is lifting the countertop, which will require help from several people. A rough estimate of how many people you need is to take one person stationed every 3-4 feet of the granite slab. Then, work in tandem by tilting the countertops from the back edge, carefully and slowly, to lift the granite slabs and remove them in one piece. ALWAYS CARRY GRANITE VERTICALLY. Never carry granite countertops flat as it may result in breaking or injury.

Final Steps

Once your granite is removed, what you do with it depends on the condition it’s in. For instance, removing an old countertop to put in a new patio, bathroom, or kitchen is perfectly doable.

But if it’s worn out and you’re looking to get rid of it, you can consider selling it as scrap or even donate it to a place that might have use for it. If you’re storing it, place it with the top facing downwards.

Whatever you do, remember, this process is not a one-person job, and it requires the right tools, equipment, knowledge, and power to pull it off successfully.

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As you can see, both removing and disposing of old granite countertops is an imposing job that involves far more than just ripping them out. The key to a successful remodeling project is to take in all the details and reduce the risk factor to both the individual working and the area being worked on. With this task, risk is both high and avoidable when you hire the right experts.

At GranitePro, we leave nothing to chance, and we approach removing granite countertops more like a kitchen surgery than a remodeling project. This means, we have the right expertise to handle the job from start to finish.

Contact us today to see how we can remove and haul away your old granite countertops in the most seamless manner. We make sure we do this without damaging your kitchen or bathroom cabinets in the process to leave you with the perfect space to install new stunning stone options.

How to Upgrade the Visual Appeal of Your Home with Granite Countertops

Are you looking to level up the real estate value of your home? What if we told you that there was one remodeling decision that would change the look of your home and increase its value in the market. We’re talking about a stunning natural stone that was earlier considered to be out of limits to all, except for luxury homeowners.

Now, however, it is not only one of the most popular countertop materials; it has also become a fixture in most homes. Yes, granite countertops have cemented their way firmly into homes where a house without one is the exception rather than the norm. And when you see the value granite countertops add, you will understand why a home looks incomplete without them.

First, let’s dive into what makes granite so popular as a home improvement addition, especially when it comes to bathroom or kitchen renovations. Sold by the square foot with the national average cost for granite countertops ranging from $3,500 to $5,000, granite might be one of the more expensive options.

Still, it’s an investment well worth it, given that it’s one of the hardest-working natural materials around. Not only is it highly durable, but it’s also resistant to scratches and moisture. Granite also has stain resistant properties with the help of a professional sealant. So, a scalding pan straight off the stove or spills from kids are unlikely to damage its surface, making it the perfect material for bathroom or kitchen countertops. With the right care, it will last for years, as unlike wood or other laminates.

Granite countertops are also easy to clean. Light colored granite can show up dirt faster. Use a soft sponge and mild soap to wipe them down.

Since these stones are available in nature, each slab is unique in its pattern, characteristics, and look. Those who prefer consistency think this is one of the most significant downsides of granite and turn to quartz countertops, but this need not be an issue.

Granite has a complex natural pattern or a movement. You can achieve the same consistency and shade from slabs that are mined from the same quarry to add to the visual appeal of your kitchen or bathroom countertops.

Upgrade to One of These Trending Granite Colors

Apart from the benefits listed above, have you noticed how beautifully glossy and reflective granite countertops look? Granite contains mica, feldspar, and quartz, which lend it that sparkle and depth you see. It’s available in a range of colors such as black, red, pink, green, white, yellow, and dark gray, among others.

Color granite is fast becoming an interior trend. Leading the pack are neutral tones. These muted, sophisticated shades are in demand and pair beautifully with other materials to create a clean yet warm look. Gold, copper, and brown accents offset neutral-hued granite to create a space that’s inviting and cozy. However, black continues its reign of being an always-in-demand shade for granite.

Not much can beat this shade when it comes to adding drama and sophistication, especially when accompanied by the flecks of gold, glitter or sparkle you see reflected in the stone. With the focus on making your home a calming and soothing space continuing this year, blue granite has been making waves.

With colors ranging from deeper, velvety blues to lighter, more tranquil shades, blue granite can at once transform your home into an oasis of comfort. If black is too dark of a shade for you, but you want the drama it imparts, look at dark gray, red, green or molten, chocolaty brown shades that are perfect for statement-making countertops.

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If you’re looking to add a unique focal point to your home, enhance its curb appeal, and increase its overall visual appeal, you cannot go wrong with stone countertops.

Full of character, natural stone can lend your home a distinctive personality that mass-produced, synthetic products cannot recreate.

As the leading experts in granite counters, contact us today to see how we can add value to your home with these unique stone slabs.

The Timeless Allure of Marble and Granite Countertops

Granite and marble are not just the most durable countertop options for your home; they are also created by Mother Nature to look stunning. It’s no coincidence that Maryland marble and granite countertops are among the most popular kitchen counter and bathroom countertop options for local homeowners.

Though new trends are geared towards luxurious materials and natural stone countertops, granite and marble surfaces deliver looks that are everlasting and classic.

As the hardest of the stone countertops, granite is distinctive both in color and versatility. This stone is not just extremely durable but can also adapt to just about any style of kitchen or bathroom. As for marble, when it comes to adding a luxe element and elegance to a home, you cannot beat the look it offers to a space.

Both marble and granite have their advantages and unique characteristics, so you can pick the one that best suits your home. Alternatively, you can create a unique visual contrast by using more than one type of material for your bathroom or kitchen.

Why Buy Marble and Granite from a Local, Maryland Company?

For both granite and marble, one key aspect of countertop selection is actually touching the material to see how it feels. Also, by seeing it in person, it’s that much easier to visualize how it would fit into your home décor.

Like different wood types, different stone types have slightly different variations of texture as well as distinct looks. Some granites may show dots of quartz, fissures, or other natural characteristics.

Once you’ve picked out what works for you and decide to move forward with a purchase decision, you then have to account for shipping cost and installation time. This is why we strongly advise that you visit a local, Maryland marble and granite countertops showroom and scope out all your options before actually buying anything.

This way, both you and the contractor will have a very clear vision board to work with to get you a step closer to your dream space.

Granite vs. Marble: How Are They Different?

Although the differences are not aspects many are aware of there is actually a world of difference between granite and marble countertops.

The first one is that granite is resistant to scratching and stains. This makes it a perfect kitchen countertop material for a busy lifestyle. For example, if you put a hot pan on granite, it is highly unlikely to cause harm to the stone.

Similarly, if you are rolling out pastry or dough, the warmth of the ingredients acts as the perfect foil for the coolness of the stone, which means the dough won’t stick, making this a baker’s dream material.

In bathrooms, vanity granite countertops complement all other materials, and since the look it offers is not uniform on account of its natural pattern, it creates a one-of-a-kind effect with stunning variations even within a single countertop itself.

The low-maintenance aspect is what also makes granite so appealing. It contains mica, feldspar, and quartz, which are responsible for the sparkle and depth you see in this material. As for shades and colors, the range available is breathtaking with all the colors quarried and ranging from red to yellow, black, white, pink, and green.

Granite also has a complex natural pattern, which is known as a movement. When using granite, it’s a good idea to pick slabs that were mined from the same quarry to ensure consistency. Even then, you will find variations in shades and characteristics, but this is precisely what gives granite its distinctiveness. You have to account for one drawback, the possibility of staining.

Although it does have stain resistant properties, it is not 100% stain proof. A professional seal will help protect your new countertops against staining. However, oil and tannins should be wiped in a reasonable timeframe. For example, it is not recommended to leave an oily pan on your countertops overnight.

Marble, of course, looks incredible, with its elegant patterns. Marble is available in a variety of shades ranging from classic pale palettes to rich, dark hues. Due to the more porous and softer nature of marble, it is more often used as a decorative material. It can be used for countertops in your kitchen or bathroom to lend the space a sophistication that is difficult to replicate with any other material.

Marble countertops, however, require a lot of care, as it’s not as durable as granite and easily damaged by acids from citrus juices, alcohol, nail polish, perfumes, or other product spills.

The surfaces also scratch easily. But once they are properly sealed, both granite and marble can be cleaned with a mild cleanser created specifically with natural ingredients that do not harm the stone, along with a sponge and water.

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When it comes to granite and marble, one of their biggest advantages is their durability. But this also makes the slabs extremely difficult to cut, handle and install. Any mistakes can be a costly affair. Authorized experts who know their way around these materials are important to get the look, aesthetics, and functionality just right.

At GranitePro, we understand these materials and the importance of customer service to give you just what you need. Contact us today or visit our Maryland marble and granite countertops showroom to know more about what we can do for you.

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