When it comes to kitchen counters, granite is one of the best selections you can make. It is very attractive, hard, and durable and provides an excellent working surface. You will receive many years of dependable service from your granite countertops and increase the value of your home. However, many homeowners in St Paul MN opt for a professional installation, because you could run into some problems when you try to “do it yourself”. Here are some reasons to seek professional assistance.
Transporting Your New Counters
Even if you plan to do the job yourself, you should think about using a delivery service. Hard stone must be handled with care. Otherwise it might crack, chip or even break. New counters are sold in one large piece which weighs hundreds of pounds, so it takes special equipment just to lift it and put it on the delivery truck.
It usually takes a custom frame construction to haul stone to the job site safely. A pickup truck is not the best equipment to use when hauling stone counters. It would be a terrible tragedy if you damaged your beautiful stone counters before you even got them home.
Cutting
Installing stone counter tops in St Paul MN is not like laying tile or cutting linoleum. In fact, it can be very tricky cutting out the section which fits around the kitchen sink. It is possible to have your granite countertops pre-cut before delivery. However, the only way to ensure a custom fit is to do it at the home. Unless you have experience in these matters, one small mistake can ruin everything.
Cutting granite is not easy and it takes special equipment and cutting blades. Because the stone is so hard, standard tools are not up to the task. You will have to rent or purchase specialized cutting tools.
Cabinets
If your old cabinets are not made for stone, you’ll probably need to reinforce them to hold all the weight of the new counters. You also must make sure the cabinets are perfectly level and sitting at a 90 degree angle.
Installation
To properly install your granite countertops in St Paul MN you’ll need to create a template and check and re-check your measurements before cutting. There are so many things which can go wrong and each problem can result in a disaster. When you hire professionals for the installation, you are assured everything goes right. They have years of experience and the right kind of liability insurance. Plus, you’ll receive a guarantee with the work.
