When someone long ago coined the term, “hard as a rock,” the rock in question must have been granite. Granite is the result of millions of years of pressure deep in the earth; the result is a durable material, ideal for granite countertops Lancaster PA.
Granite is heat resistant, it will not burn or blister when something hot is set on it. It is very durable and it takes an effort to scratch or chip it. granite countertops in Lancaster PA is far superior to marble which will stain easily and laminates which cannot take abrasives and they can burn easily. When the granite is polished, it is luxurious.
Granite comes from quarries in huge blocks where it is removed by drilling, sawing and blasting. Once the huge cube is out, machines then slice the granite cube into slabs of workable size, perhaps five feet wide and 10 feet long. These slabs are then polished to a high luster and kept at a uniform thickness of about ¾”.
Taking a slab and turning it into granite countertops Lancaster PA takes special tools and special skills. Normally, the skilled installers custom-make the tops on site and they fit perfectly. Although there is re-cut granite, it rarely fits the shape and size of a kitchen unless it is quite small.
Cutting the top:
To cut granite, a special saw is used that has a diamond blade. To reduce the vibration in the blade, the professional installers fit large washers to either side of the rotating blade. The fewer vibrations the better as the cut will be sharp and smooth.
Cutting the granite when it is dry creates a tremendous amount of dust; many of the saws that are used in your home are fitted with vacuums to keep the dust down. To cut curves, such as the hole for the sink, a special contour blade is used.
The edges of the granite countertops Lancaster PA can be rounded, curved, beveled or left flat. The professional use an automatic machine that not only cuts the edge to the desired profile, it polishes it as well.
Installation:
Once the granite is cut to size and the edges prepared properly, the next step is the actual installation. This is labor intensive and takes a great deal of skill and meticulous planning. Accurate measurements are critical to a successful installation, the opening for appliances are perfectly sized so the edges of the granite are cut precisely with the end of the cabinet. The thickness of the backsplash has to be taken into account; there must be room for faucets to fit properly between the back of the sink and the backsplash.
The granite countertops Lancaster PA are held to the cabinet carcass with epoxy, and silicone is used wherever there is a joint. Most installations will have at least one joint where the counter changes direction.
Granite countertops Lancaster PA are one of the specialties of Jemson Cabinetry. Having been in business since 1984, they have perfected the cutting and installation of this most beautiful and practical material.
