DIY Network

Contemporary (Pt. 4 of 4): Granite Countertop Introduction From "Kitchen Renovations" episode DKTN-105

	In this week 's episode of Kitchen Renovations, host Paul Ryan and homeowners Marshall and Jeanine convert this "old" kitchen ...
	into an eye-catching contemporary beauty!
	If you choose granite for your kitchen countertop, do know that you'll have several choices.

In this first segment of Pt. 4 of the "Contemporary" kitchen renovation, host Paul Ryan goes over the ordering tips for the granite countertop. A plywood buildup is installed to support the granite.

Note: You'll need help working with granite. Some of the slabs alone can weigh more than 200 pounds. Granite slabs can be brittle, so handle them with care.

Materials for Granite Countertops:

Granite countertops
Grinder
Buffer
Granite cutter
Dyes

Materials for Preparing the Counter Surface:

3/4" plywood
Level
Drill
Vix bit and screws

Materials for Making the Countertop Template:

Roll of builder's craft paper
Utility knife
Carpenter's square

Materials for Cutting Granite:

Two long 2 x 4s
Sawhorses
Duct tape
Large circular saw
Dry cut segmented diamond blade
Safety glasses
Dust mask

Materials for Undermount Sink Cutout:

Safety glasses
Pencil
Spade bit
Jig saw
Drill
Sink
Cardboard

Materials for Joining Countertop Seams:

2' level and 6' level
1-1/4" screws
Screwdriver
Drill
Clear silicone
Caulk gun
Toothpicks
Tape
Polyester-based resin
Pigments
Rubber gloves
1" putty knife
Cardboard (to protect surface)
Mixing plate
Rags

Materials for Buffing:

Drill
Seam stone
Buffing pad

Materials for Installing Lighting:

Drywall knife
Ladder
Safety glasses
Pendant lights

Materials for Painting:

Primer
Paint
Rollers and paintbrushes
Painter's tape
Paint tray
Drop cloth

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Figure A

Ordering the Granite

• Its best to measure for countertops after the cabinets are installed. You can use the cabinet plan as your drawings.

• Be sure to note how much you want your counter to overhang the face frames of your cabinets (typically 1" to 1-1/2").

• Also note which edges of the counter should have a bull-nose or other style of finished edge.

• Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

Cabinet Preparation

1. Cut 3/4" plywood to fit the top of the cabinets (figure A). This will support the granite and give enough clearance for the bull-nose edging to clear the drawers and doors.

2. Make sure the plywood does not overhang the outside dimension of the cabinet.
   
   
3. Attach the plywood to the frame of the cabinets with screws making sure to center the screws into the frames underneath.

4. Drill a pilot hole first to keep from splitting the hardwood face frame.

In the next segment, a template is created for the granite countertop, and then a wet saw is used to cut the granite and dry fit the pieces.

RESOURCES :

Skil
Robert Bosch Tool Corp.
Website: www.skiltools.com

Stanley Tools Information
Stanley Tools/Works
Website: www.stanleyworks.com

Fiskars (Bucket Boss Division)
Fiskars Bucket Boss Division
Website: www.bucketboss.com

Makita Products
Makita USA Inc.
Website: www.makita.com

Paslode Nail Guns
Paslode
Website: www.paslode.com

Wolfcraft Products

Wolfcraft Inc.
Itasca, IL 60143
Phone: 630-773-4777
Fax: 630-773-4805
Website: www.wolfcraft.com

Prefabricated Granite Countertop (Do It Yourself Granite)

Model #: Tier II Color
Color: Verde Glaciar
Where available: Call 877-349-4726 or visit the Do It Yourself Granite website (link, below).

Miscellaneous Product Information:

• A direct importer and supplier of double-bullnosed granite countertops, finished backsplash and tiles in a new modular system so that almost any kitchen or bath countertop can be constructed just like the professionals without any expensive fabrication.
  
• It is recommended that you apply 3/4" plywood sub-counter to the top of the cabinets to support the granite, which was done in this particular project.
  
• For installation, all you need is an inexpensive circular saw and grinder and our product.

Do It Yourself Granite
14300 Wicks Blvd.
San Leandro, CA 94577
Phone 510-346-4726
Toll-free: 877-349-4726
Fax: 877-281-1279
E-mail: sales@doityourselfgranite.com
Website: www.diygranite.com

Sink, Faucet and Disposal (Better Kitchen & Bath)

Brand name for all three: Franke
Model # for Sink: PRX120
Color for Sink: Stainless Steel
Model # for Faucet: FF-680
Color for Faucet: Satin Nickel
Model # for Disposal: WD1001

Where available: Better Kitchen & Bath dealers and Plumbing showrooms.

Franke Kitchen Systems
3050 Campus Dr.
Hatfield, PA 19440
Toll-free: 800-626-5771

General Electric Profile Appliances (GE Consumer Products)

Profile Dishwasher

Model #: PDW788DGSS
Color: Stainless Steel

Profile Advantium Wall Oven

Model #: SCB2001FSS
Color: Stainless Steel

Profile Arctica Refrigerator

Model #: PSI23SCNBS
Color: Stainless Steel

Profile 30" Convection Oven

Model #: JT912SFSS
Color: Stainless Steel

Profile 30" Gas Cooktop

Model #: JGP933SEFSS
Color: Stainless Steel

Where available: Visit the GE Consumer Products website (information, below)

GE Consumer Products
Appliance Park
Louisville, KY 40225
Toll-free: 800-626-2000
Website: www.geappliances.com

Kitchen Island Lights (Southern Lights)

Brand name: Tech
Model #: 700FJSF4S w/700FLJMEBS
Color: Blue
Where available: Visit the Southern Lights website (information, below)

Southern Lights
12550 W. Frontage Rd.
Burnsville, MN 55337
Phone: 952-890-8977
Fax: 952-890-4822
Website: www.southernlightsinc.com

Honeycomb Blinds (Budget Blinds)

Brand name: Alta (a Hunter Douglas Company)
Model #: H28604
Color: Champagne
Where available: Visit the Budget Blinds website (information, below)

Budget Blinds
14551 Judicial Rd.
#120
Burnsville, MN 55306
Phone: 952-898-5558
Fax: 952-898-5528
Website: www.budgetblinds.com

Power Jack, Switchplates, Wallplates, Switches and Receptacles (Leviton)

Out-of-Sight Power Jack
Model #: 40215

Decora Single-Pole Switch
Model #: 5601-000
Color: Mahogany

Decora Duplex Receptacle
Model #: 5325-000
Color: Mahogany

Single-Gang Decora Plus Screwless Wallplate
Model #: 80301-000
Colors: Ivory and Mohogany

Decora Triplex Switch
Model #: 1755-001
Color: Ivory

SmartLock GFCI Receptacle
Model #: 85999-001
Color: Ivory

Where available: Home centers or visit the Leviton website (information, below)

Leviton Manufacturing Company
59-25 Little Neck Parkway
Little Neck, NY 11362
Toll-free: 800-323-8920
Fax: 718-281-6252
Website: www.leviton.com

GUESTS :

Shane Kretsinger
Vice President, Operations
Autumn River
We apologize no contact information is available.

Morris Bendah
President
Do It Yourself Granite
14300 Wicks Blvd.
San Leandro, CA 94577
Phone: 510-346-4726

Paul Surowiec
General Manager
GE Consumer Products
Appliance Park
Louisville, KY 40225
Phone: 502-452-3049