Installing granite countertops is usually a straightforward process in a small kitchen. However, installation could be more complicated in larger kitchens. This is because in a larger kitchen, an installer must ensure that the seams on each block of granite match up perfectly. Granite is a natural stone. Therefore, each block will be unique. However, when putting them together, an installer aims to have the seams of the granite match with each other as perfectly as possible.
Matching the seams of your granite countertops sounds like a minor issue.
However, if they are done incorrectly or unprofessionally, you will undoubtedly be able to tell. A seam should look perfectly flat and should look as if they are the same block of stone. There shouldn’t be any glue showing, nor should there be apparent separations from one granite block to the next. So, what exactly are granite countertop seams, and how do installers set them perfectly to get a natural flow?
What Are Granite Countertop Seams?
In some kitchens, homeowners are lucky enough to have a small area, so an installation crew can probably cut your granite to fit perfectly in the area, avoiding the issue of seams. However, in larger kitchens, the granite may have to be installed in separate parts because the countertop is long.
Most countertop fabricators can’t cut extremely long pieces of granite because they likely won’t be easy to transport, and there is more risk for the piece to crack or break when it’s long. If you have a section of your kitchen that is longer than 90 to 140 inches long, you will likely need a seam.
A seam is an area where two pieces of the stone meet. They are usually held together with epoxy, glue, or silicone. Although a seam will naturally have a gap, installers try to place the blocks together so that the seam appears seamless. In other words, you should not be able to see the seam unless you are meticulously examining it.
How To Keep The Seams From Showing
So, how do installers keep your granite looking like one endless block like those installed in smaller kitchens? Here are a few tricks they use to make seams invisible.
Choose Granite from the Same Section of the Quarry
Installers make sure that seams aren’t noticeable by choosing book-matched granite pieces to install. These pieces have a similar pattern because they come from the same quarry area that they are extracted from. As such, they are labeled, and when an installer puts them together, the seams match perfectly.
Darker Colors with Simple Patterns Minimize Seams
Another way to get your granite to align perfectly is by installing darker color that doesn’t have many intricate patterns. Lighter patterns with elaborate designs tend to make seams more apparent. It’s much easier to match darker, ordinary granite at the seams than lighter granite with an unusual graining pattern.
Obscure the Seams by Placing Them In An Inconspicuous Place
One final way installers get the perfect alignment is to place seams where they will least likely be visible in your space. For instance, they may opt to put seams in corners where they are less likely to be noticeable. If possible, an installer will avoid putting seams in places where a lot of light shines directly on the area such as right under cabinet lighting.
When it comes to seams, it is best to get the help of a professional. Although some people attempt this as a DIY project or solicit the help of an amateur, this is not a job for non-professionals. It is critical to match up seams perfectly and ensure that they won’t come apart by using the right binding agent. In addition, granite is a pricey natural stone. So, it would be best to get help from those who installed it or another professional specializing in granite countertops for best results with your seams.
Professional Countertop Installation
Wisconsin Granite Design is one of the best countertop fabricators in the greater Milwaukee area so you know your granite countertops will be installed the right way. We are the ideal place for a kitchen or bathroom remodel due to our large onsite selection of granite, marble and quartz slabs in the most unique colors and patterns. This eliminates the hassles, chasing, and frustration of making multiple trips to slab suppliers and other stores to select your stone.
For nearly ten years we have been fabricating and installing countertop solutions for both residential and commercial customers throughout the Wisconsin. Call and speak to one of our design professionals about our budget friendly designs and impeccable installation of granite, quartz and marble countertops, Free!