Gotta love granite. This rock hard slab is not only tough but it is gorgeous, too. What I really love about granite is that you can DO IT YOURSELF, for smaller projects. Seriously, small slabs of granite for vanities, mantels or bar tops make a great DIY project and can save you money. In my recent master bathroom renovation, I bought a vintage server on Craigslist and re-purposed it as a vanity. I installed my own granite countertops and I’ll tell you how to do it yourself.
Choose Your Rock! – It begins with shopping. Love that part. Shop your local granite yard for remnants of granite slabs left over from bigger projects. You can often find smaller pieces to fit your needs and get it at a lower cost than a full slab. Ask your granite yard about pricing levels. Granite is categorized into levels and based on color and rarity, not on quality of the stone. More exotic slabs cost more; common colors and patterns cost less. Be prepared to shop around.
Make a Template – Next, you need to create a template or pattern for your piece. You will need a sheet of lauan (very thin plywood), jigsaw saw, granite/mirror adhesive, wood shims, tape measure and pencil. Lay the lauan on the surface of the object to be covered in granite. cabinet, half wall or vanity. Make a line on the underside of the wood that measures 1 inch from edge of cabinet or wall. You will want to create a 1 inch overhang around all sides except the edge/edges hitting a wall.
Cut it Out! – Cut your template along the line drawn using a jigsaw. Place the template back on the cabinet to check placement. If it looks good, begin planning the location of the sink bowl. You want to keep the bowl evenly spaced and centered. Make sure the dropdown of the sink bowl fits properly inside the body of the cabinet. Place the sink upside down on the lauan and draw a line around the perimeter of the bowl on the lauan. Set sink aside and then draw a second line inside the first one equal to the brim of the bowl. (Dimensions vary by bowl style and size)
Sink or Swim – Now the next step varies by the arrangement you have with the granite dealer. Some may ask for the hole to be cut out. Others may ask you to draw a spot for proper sink placement and they will cut it. To cut it on your own, use a drill bit to begin a hole, then slip the jigsaw blade into the opening and continue to cut along the line. Whether you cut the opening or not, you will need to bring the bowl to the granite fabricator so he can cut it perfectly to fit the sink. Mark edges that are to be finished off vs edges butting against the wall.
Handle with Care – Expect a week or so for the granite to be cut to size. Plan on fitting it into your car upright on its edge. Laying it flat increases the risk of breaking it in travel. Bring an old blanket to wrap and cushion it between seats. Carry it carefully into your home and have extra hands available for larger pieces.
Dry Run – For mounting the granite, you will need to dry fit it first. Simple place it on the cabinet and make sure it fits well on all edges. use a level to make use it sits flat. You may need shims to create proper leveling. With shims in place mark on the underside of the granite where each shim sits and mark on the shim how far it slides into the space. Number each shim is using more than one. Dry fit the sink bowls, too. Remove the granite and apply a generous bead of granite adhesive caulk along the perimeter of the cabinet edge. Carefully place the granite onto the cabinet, apply shims where needed and let dry.
You’re done – There is not nailing or screwing. The sheer weight of the granite, plus good quality adhesive will hold your slab in place.
If you live in the Philly suburbs, you must check out my friends at Let’s Get Stoned in Warrington. I have worked with these folks for 5 years and have had many successful client interactions with either the full service install or the DIY customer, including me! There was no way I would install a whole kitchen of granite. Way too heavy. But for the small slabs, you DIY Chickies can do it! Save money for other rocks, like diamonds!
Check out our super awesome details on the care and maintenance of your new granite from Countertop Specialty.
You invested money and time into this pretty piece of rock, so like any great song made it last!
