How To Prepare For Stone Countertops
Upgrading your home with natural stone countertops is a thrilling home renovation project. The first step to bring your vision to life is choosing the right material for your lifestyle and decor. Next, you will get ready for the installation and if you have never installed countertops before you may not know how to prepare. Today we are breaking down how to prepare for the installation, what you can expect during and after the installation is complete.
Pre-Installation Prep
The first step is having a measurer come to your home. They will take measurements of your entire room so the fabricator can fit the stone to your unique space. Prior to templating your fabricator will also need to know the exact make and model of any sinks, faucets and appliances that will come in contact with the countertop. Other design details such as edge details, backsplashes and rear wall treatments should also be discussed.
After the template is finished and approved, the stone will be cut and fabricated into the countertop at the workshop and the installation date will be set. If you have old countertops already in place they will need to be removed prior to the installation. This will ensure there is enough time to make repairs if anything becomes damaged in the process.
Installation
The big day is here! Expect at least two installers who will deliver the prepared countertop and put it in place. Depending on the job size, it may require more people. To help this day go as smoothly as possible, try to clear the pathway for the installation team so they may easily enter your home. It is also a good idea to remove any valuables or breakables from the area.
Installations can take anywhere from four to eight hours. Larger projects may take more than a day. A strong adhesive will be used to cement the pieces together if the countertop has seams. Then the countertops are adhered to the cabinets.
Post-Installation
Once the installation is complete, you will need to schedule a plumber to come and reconnect the water source, an electrician to reconnect drains, water, gas, and electrical hookups. This will generally happen the day after installation so that the countertops have time to set. If you will also be installing a backsplash that should be scheduled after the countertops have been installed.
After a good cleaning, your kitchen will be ready to go! While this process requires a certain amount of prep work and attention the finished product is well worth it! You are investing in a piece that will last for years to come with the proper care.
Have more questions about the installation process? Contact us or schedule a design session! Our team will be happy to assist you.
