Logan Voss
Whether you’re a DIYer or a seasoned professional, you’ll need certain tools to install granite countertops. Granite is wildly popular for use in kitchens and bathrooms. It’s expensive, but it’s also highly durable and beautiful. Adding granite countertops to a home will immediately increase the value. Having the proper tools for installing granite countertops will make the job easier and have the countertops looking great. The following tools are pretty common, and you can find them at any hardware store.
Granite Brackets
You want to make sure you have extra-strong, heavy-duty brackets. Granite slabs are heavy, so the brackets will be supporting a lot of weight. You don’t want to use cheap brackets that will bend or break. Doing so could lead to cracked or broken granite, which won’t be cheap to replace. It’s better to spend the extra money on strong brackets that won’t break.
Circular Saw
A circular saw is an invaluable tool for the installation of granite. You’ll use it to cut openings for sinks. The granite supplier should ideally cut the countertops to the exact dimensions, but sometimes they miss. If the openings are too small or the countertop is too big, then you may need to shave off some excess.
Diamond Saw Blades
Because granite is so hard and dense, cutting it requires special tools. A normal masonry blade won’t be strong enough to cut the stone, so diamond or CBN blades for the circular saw are a requisite. These will make cutting holes for sinks or faucets easy.
Personal Protective Equipment
Accidents happen all the time. Even the most experienced tradesmen are prone to injuries on projects. Make sure to keep yourself safe from injuries by investing in some earplugs, safety glasses, and gloves at a minimum. If you’ll be doing wet cuts, you’ll also want to consider getting a waterproof apron and boots.
Seam Filler
If your granite countertops have any seams, you’ll need to fill them. If you don’t, food could get into the seams and begin to stink as it decays. Plus, any water that leaks into the seams could also rot and weaken the cabinets underneath. Fill the seams to make them watertight and debris-proof.
