Granite is an outstanding countertop choice, but it is a bit pricey. Thus, many granite customers opt to cut and install granite on their own in order to avoid paying a professional. The DIY route is fine as long as you know what you’re doing. Advanced woodworking knowledge and experience is preferred for a project such as cutting granite. Experience with a power saw is key as well. Don’t allow ambition or negligence to get the best of you, as the use of unfamiliar machinery can of course be dangerous. If you are qualified then you have the green light to cut your own granite. Here’s how you do it:
Gather needed supplies
Most importantly, you will need the granite. Make sure you have enough—one slab should do the trick. Granite is heavy, so you will likely need more than just yourself to transport it to the working area and into your home.
A radial saw or a wet saw will give you the easiest and most precise cut. A diamond cutting blade needs to be used to cut granite. You can find this particular blade at your local home improvement store for around $50. The diamond cutting blade will lessen the vibration when sawing. The last thing you want is for a vibration to throw you off line and ruin the cut. This can set you back considerably as you’ve essentially wasted part of the granite. Think of how tough it is to write with a shaky hand…a vibrating saw is much tougher to handle and the repercussions are much worse.
Of course, you will want safety gear. A mask to protect your face from dust, gloves to grip and control the saw, and goggles to protect your eyes. Do not risk your well being by ignoring safety gear.
Other supplies include a tape measure, a level, a polishing compound, polishing stone and pad, measuring tape and a seam filler.
Measure
Measure your countertop dimensions very carefully. A measurement mistake can screw up the entire project. Accounting for sinks and faucets is difficult, but important. This part is tricky so you’ll want to do yourself a favor and measure accurately.
It would not be a bad idea to at least hire a professional for measuring and shaping. At the end of the day, executing the project is more important than saving money.
Cut
With your circular saw with a diamond cutting blade in hand, begin cutting based on the measurement lines. The diamond blade can cut in contours and can best shape granite in its desired form. It is also helpful to cover the edges with duct tape before cutting. As a result, the granite will not chip and it has a better chance at keeping its form.
Polish
Lastly, you polish the granite. Polishing is most effective with the use of an automated edge shaping machine. This machine will simplify an otherwise difficult job. Once polished, the granite is ready to be installed. You’ve successfully readied your granite.
Whether you choose to do it yourself or if you want to have granite professionally installed, Granite Artists can help. We offer a wide selection of granite slabs. We will also install the granite if you would like.
