Granite Counter Tops - Do It Yourself?
Granite counter tops are beautiful and practical. Since you're dealing with natural material, every piece is unique so your counter tops will be different from anyone else's.
Granite is very dense, much more so than marble, so it resists stains and tarnishing. Also it is not affected by acids as marble is. Marble easily etches with acids like vinegar, granite does not. Granite is just a lower maintenance product than is marble.
A solid slab of granite makes a great granite countertop, but the weight makes this a job for pros. Big pieces of granite are just too heavy for a do-it-yourselfer. Can you imagine breaking a solid granite counter top?
A good alternative is a granite tile countertop. These install just like ceramic tile. This is a project that is possible for a handy person. All the procedures for installation of a granite top is like ceramic tile.
Remember these issues, whether it's ceramic or granite tile counter tops. The grout on a counter top is a problem. Grout will stain very quickly. Especially a white grout won't stay white very long. Using large tiles like 12 inches by 12 inches minimizes the amount of grout since big tiles will have fewer tiles and less grout. Using small grout lines also helps. The less grout the better.
Also consider putting in larger pieces of granite in heavily used areas. You could put in a 24 inch by 24 inch piece of granite in the main work area and not spend much time working on the smaller tiles.
Sealing the grout on a granite counter top is essential. This will stop most of the staining and prevent a lot of cleaning work. Use a regular grout sealer. And maintain the sealer at the recommended intervals.
You can choose to grout with epoxy grout. Epoxy grout will not stain and is completely waterproof. Epoxy grout is virtually maintenance free. The only down side is the epoxy fumes during installation. The fumes are strong and toxic.
You can trim the edge of your counter top with granite pieces or use hardwood trim pieces made just for that purpose. The top of the wood trim is grouted along with the top tiles and becomes the edge of the counter top. Check with your tile dealer for trim ideas.