Granite is an elegant material that will be a valuable addition to any kitchen. Made from volcanic material that lay under the earth’s surface, the magic of time has gifted granite with intricate patterns and designs and sometimes glitters. This is what makes them a favorite choice for high-end kitchen and bathroom countertops.
Granite slabs are cut to size and the correct measurement is critical. Here are a few steps that you can take to ensure you measure your countertops correctly.
Measuring granite countertops may be intimidating for a non-math person. However, it is extremely important because granite on countertops is usually single pieces cut to size. Measuring properly will also give you a very good visual of the cost especially if you are working with a tight budget.
A simple measuring tape and the correct measuring strategy along with some attention to detail are all you need to properly measure your stone countertops to be covered with granite slabs. A little bit of arithmetic is involved. But all calculations will be basic enough to be done with a simple calculator so there’s no need to stress.
Basic tools are needed for measuring your granite countertops. These common and inexpensive tools will help you plan for your granite countertops. Many of these tools can be found in virtually any home. In any case, they are not expensive to buy and are a great investment for many home improvements that require using specific measurements.
It is important to choose a tape measure that can enable you to read the measurements down to a fraction of an inch. Use a retractable tape with a steel blade because cloth tapes can stretch and therefore it can affect the measurements. The sturdier your tape measure the more accurate your measurement will be.
Graph paper will give you a more accurate countertop measurement calculator rather than plain white paper. Standard graph paper is marked off by ¼-inches. This will help you record your measurements more easily.
Pencils are better than pens to mark your measurements, they are easily erased in case of mistakes. It is great to have an eraser on hand or at least a pencil with an eraser tip to correct errors if needed.
A basic calculator will help you multiply and divide to get an accurate read on your measurements since measurements will be in fractions of ¼-inches, it may be difficult to do these calculations without a calculator. Phone calculators are also acceptable.
It is a good idea to ask someone for help, an extra set of hands will help you not make mistakes or get wrong measurements as the tape can accidentally move. There is a great advantage of having someone there to hold the tape, this will make a great difference, especially when measuring kitchen counters.
The main goal of measuring is to get the total square footage of your countertops, islands, and backsplashes. Knowing the square footage total will tell you how much stone to order and an estimate of the cost. Here are the simple steps to get you going:
While there are a lot of countertops that are rectangularly shaped, there is an abundance of other shapes and styles. These might be intimidating to measure. But don’t go scrambling for your old geometry textbooks just yet. There’s actually a way to get a measurement of shapes that are not plainly rectangular without having to get into too much math.
One simple rule of thumb when measuring non-rectangular shaped countertops is to partition them into boxes. Take an L-shaped countertop for example. You can subdivide into two rectangular boxes. Once done, all you have to do is to measure the length and width of each box and then add them together. The result will be the total square area of the L-shaped surface. Remember that to convert the area from inches to square feet you just need to divide by 144.
Measuring countertops with curved edges can also use this method. Just measure the length starting from the flat end to the farthest point on the curve or the apex. Multiply this number by the width then divide by 144 to get the total square footage estimate.
Measuring for granite countertops should include all the cutouts because the countertop will be measured in footage and it will come in the form of a solid slab. Cutouts and shaping and other design features will factor in the overall size of the countertop you will need. These cutouts, aprons, and other features will be removed during the installation of your kitchen countertops based on their unique design.
When the granite countertop comes from a slab, it is important to have a template with the exact measurements of your cooktop. Once you have the template of your cooktop and its placement it isn’t too difficult to make the cutout. It will require tools such as a power sander and a circular saw. The template is a crucial part of the operation to make sure to make precise cuts without chipping or damaging the edges of the granite countertops.
We take measurements in the most accurate way possible like for this Black Galaxy and Giallo Rio granite kitchen.
Because granite is a natural material, the size of the slabs may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. On average, the length of a granite slab will be between 9 to 10 feet long, the width will be between 5 to 6 feet long and the thickness will roughly be about 1 1/4 inches thick. The size of the slab needed will be unique to each kitchen depending on the size and design of the countertops.
For the perfect granite countertops with flawless cuts, it means that you need to work with a supplier to find the perfect slab with a grain that will compliment your kitchen. It is a masterful art to line up the kitchen cutouts of your countertop to align with the grain on the granite slab. These artistic designs will add to the elegance of your kitchen countertops.
Since the granite countertops include cutouts as it comes in the form of a slab, it is unavoidable to have materials left over. These remnants can be used in creative and artistic ways from decorations for smaller countertops or crafted to a variety of household products. The most popular way to make use of granite remnants is in the form of a countertop edge visualizer to add decorative designs to your kitchen countertops.
There’s a reason why a cliché is a cliché. Because it works. And in the world of construction, measuring twice and cutting once has been proven time and time again by professionals and DIYers alike. It is extremely important for granite because the material is hard and dense and once cut, there’s no turning back. Proper measurements are key to successful kitchen countertops. Granite Selection offers free in-home measurements to ensure you get the most professional results. This is especially important when trying to be cost-effective in installing new granite countertops. From measurements to design, to services and supplies, we are the top provider in the Chicagoland area. Call us at (888) 906 3317 and we’ll be happy to help. We are located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and will service the surrounding 70-mile area.
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