If you love to complete projects at home, you'll know granite for its durability and how it can add stunning character to a kitchen. Countertops are often the first step in a larger remodel, which you can complete with the right cutting tools and a few tips. Here is a helpful guide to help you cut and install granite countertops.

How to Install Granite Countertops

1. Measure

Properly cut countertops will fit nicely over kitchen counters, sit flush against the wall, and won’t obstruct appliances and walkways. If you’re replacing countertops, measure the same dimensions on your new granite slab to match. If you’re installing counters in a newly built kitchen, start with a cardboard template. Generally, counters should extend no further than six inches over the cabinets. This amount ensures they don’t get in the way and have enough support. Set these pieces of cardboard across the cabinets and trim where needed.

If you want to lower the cabinets, set a carpenter’s level on the cabinet frames. If they're uneven, unscrew the cabinets from the walls, adjust them, and secure them again so that the granite sits on a flat surface.

2. Cut

You’ll need the proper cutting tools to trim the granite slab. Diamond cutting blades for a circular or wet-cut saw are sharp enough to slice through the stone without creating uneven edges.

Attach the cabinets to a work table with C-clamps and then cover the area you’re cutting with painter’s tape. This tactic protects the countertop from scratches. Measure one last time, place your saw at the far end of your cut line and cut backward two inches. This cut prevents the granite from chipping. Next, finish by cutting from the end closest to you. Don’t apply too much pressure to the saw. Instead, let the diamond blade slowly cut the granite evenly.

3. Seal

Apply the countertops with a silicone adhesive and epoxy. These hold tight during expansion and contraction from temperature swings to ensure the slabs won’t budge. Mix epoxy with resin colored the same as the countertops, and then apply colored glue to any remaining cracks. Finally, caulk beneath overhangs and where the granite meets the wall to create a moisture-resistant seal.

If you’re ready to purchase premium cutting tools for your next project, contact Titan Diamond Tools USA in Scottsdale, AZ. This supplier carries blades for cutting various abrasive materials, including granite. Their sales associates will guide you through their diamond-cutting blades to find the right fit. Call (480) 999-0105 if you’re ready to order, or visit their website to explore their inventory.