How to Install Granite Countertops - DIY

The Coach shows how to properly install a granite countertop around a bathroom sink. Learn proper technique to do the same in your project.

Accurate measurements are crucial. Be sure to note details like appliance openings if doing in kitchen. Usually, these are sized­ precisely, so finished edges will need to be flush with the cabinet ends. Templates are helpful in calculating cuts for sinks and cook tops. The thickness of the backsplash needs to be account­ed for as well, to ensure that elements like faucets will fit between the sink and the backsplash. You should use plastic sheeting or a vulcanized rubber paint-vapor barrier between the subcounter and the granite [source: Walton].

Most countertops will have at least one seam because the material typically comes in slabs that are less than 10 feet (3 meters) long. Whenever possible, seams should be made at well-supported areas of the cabinetry. Because there can be a slight difference in the thickness of two granite pieces, shims might be needed to ensure the tops are flush [source: Walton].

Silicone applied between the two slabs allows for expansion and contraction, and a special epoxy holds the granite in place. When the epoxy is joining two pieces of the countertop at a seam, it should be mixed with colored resin to blend in with the color of the granite. Use colored glue in any visible seams. You should also mix the resin with the caulking that secures the backsplash to the countertop [sources: Keidel, Marblemaster].

Fortunately, it's easier to maintain granite countertops than to install them. Learn everything about sealing granite countertops in the next section.