Whether you’ve just acquired your dream stone for your kitchen or want to spice up your bathroom project, polishing up your granite before installation is a must. Be it outdoors or indoors, cutting any kind of countertop as you see fit is essential for a long-lasting product. Even though most people prefer to get professional services for the matter, it is a DIY-able process – and, if you’re here, you’re probably wondering which steps you should take to get the best possible results. Well, no need to worry – we’ll explain how to cut granite countertops the right way.
Keep reading this article to find out the details. In case you’re still studying your possibilities, you might also like our complete guide to granite countertops – which has everything you need to know about this wonderful addition to any household.
Cutting granite countertops: is it a good investment?
With the access to technology and complex tools from nearby stores, doing anything yourself these days has become more viable than ever.
However, despite all the quality-of-life items that we can buy without spending too much money, handling expensive things such as granite stones might require a little bit of patience. When you quote all the budget and effort you’re going to need, it’s up to you to decide if it is a good investment or not. At the end of the day, counting with a professional is always the go-to option if things go sideways.
In any case, getting assistance from a specialist is something you can’t run from. Well, at least when we talk about your countertop layout and its templates, which require meticulous measurements that can’t be messed up. Home remodelers always have the skill set for accuracy and angle perspective, especially when you consider undulations and nuances.
Necessary tools and tips before you begin
First of all, set up a work area, preferably with tables to lay out the granite. This will prevent the scattering of slab pieces. Speaking about slab pieces, there are two ways you can go about this: cutting it dry or wet. Cutting the countertop wet will create a slurry that needs to be hosed off, while cutting it dry might create a dust cloud all over the area if you’re not careful.
With that in mind, below we’ve listed the main tools you’ll need for this job. You can either buy or rent them from construction stores.
- circular saw or angle grinder
- ear and eye protection (face shield recommended)
- blue tape
- rubber gloves
As we mentioned in previous DIY guides on the blog, never do this type of work on your own. Get yourself a strong friend or family member to help you out with transportation. Granite is known for its durability, but it’s also a heavy stone that can break at the slightest mismanagement. We don’t want that!
If you’re currently dealing with a faulty countertop, read our granite repair guide to know how to get rid of unwanted scratches, stains and deep cracks.
How to cut granite countertops: step-by-step
Do you already have the granite countertop in your hands? Are you ready to get started? Then let’s go – follow the next steps carefully.
- Lay down the granite on a stable surface, like a table.
- Mark the cutline as pointed out by the expert. To reduce chip-out, use the blue tape to cover it. Remeasure it and mark the tape as well.
- With a circular saw: use the blue tape on the shoe of the saw to minimize the risk of metal scratching.
- With an angle grinder: do not remove the guard nor your face shield.
- Set up a straightedge guide.
- Keep the tool moving (regardless of the one you chose) and try not to force it onto the stone; clean cuts are ideal here. Precautions include making the cut in two passes, as well as a 2-inch kerf at the finished end, which prevents the granite from chipping or breaking upon completion.
- Use the angle grinder with polishing pads to clean up the saw marks on the edges and to micro-bevel the 90-degree cut. According to the sheen and smoothness you desire, the pads can go from 50-grit to more than 3000.
- If you need to change directions for any reason, holes need to be drilled in each corner of the stone first, taking into account the sink position and plumbing. Of course, this is something best done by your provider, so make sure to have all the details planned beforehand.
- Congratulations, you’re all done! After learning how to cut a granite countertop, you might want to seal it and preserve its brightness and durability for many years to come.
Contract professional help from Eagle Stones!
Cutting granite countertops is definitely not an easy thing. Like we said before, the best course of action for any beginner is contracting an expert crew to deal with the whole process, including supply and installation services. For that, look no further than Eagle Stones – especially if you live in Sarasota, FL or its surrounding counties.
If you’re looking for some project ideas, we recommend you check out The Best Colors for Granite Countertops.
Click here to be directed to the online catalog – in the warehouse, we have granite and many other stones from all over the world. You can also get a free quote in order to get started! We’ll be waiting for you.
