Let’s Talk Granite Countertops – Protect Your Investment with EZ Level
Granite, stone, and marble countertops are favored high-end choices when it comes to enhancing beautiful interior cabinet design.
These naturally occurring slabs can be visually stunning yet costly additions to the budget. If you decide to move forward with the purchase and installation it is vital that they be installed correctly.
To give you an idea of the estimated average cost to install granite countertops: estimate, on average, the cost of granite countertops, it can range from $2,250 – $4,500 (or upward) depending on a few factors. The labor for countertop installation is usually between $35 to $85 per hour. The cost of the slab itself can run from $45 to $80 per square foot. Prices can vary based on the style, color, texture, as well as rarity of the stone. Basic slabs start at about $40 per square foot and go up from there. In the case of rare and elusive pieces, you may have to budget upwards of $75 to $100 per square foot. And remember, the counters also need to be sealed to protect your granite from spills and contamination as all rock is porous in nature. The cost to seal your new granite kitchen countertops professionally ranges from $170 – $350. This cost should be added to the initial estimate.
This is no small chunk of change. It is important that when your cabinets are installed, they are leveled properly throughout the entire project and that they are held solidly in place, so they do not fall prey to shifting.
No matter where you live and in what climate the fact is that there is going to be a variance in temperature and humidity level throughout the year. All materials, especially wooden cabinets expand and contract with exposure to heat and cold as well as humidity and temperature change.
Why expansion and contraction matter: – The majority of cabinet installs are done using the traditional method utilizing shims. Shims are small triangular pieces of wood that are wedged under each corner of the cabinet installation to help balance and bring the cabinet tops to level. This method is effective but time-consuming. The big problem with shims, over time, is that with the repeated expansion and contraction of not only the cabinetry but of these wedges themselves they can fall out of place leaving your cabinets unsupported. It may not be noticeable to the human eye but when stone and granite are not evenly and fully supported, much like the foundation of a home, cracks can occur.
Cracks that form granite are nonrepairable and will render the area in need of replacement. When this happens, it is not the same as cracking a tile or a piece of linoleum. Man-made textiles can be replaced and matched. Stone is natural in its formation. The striations, particles, and patterning are often hard to match and usually cannot be duplicated. Most of the time the entire countertop will have to be removed, repurchased, and replaced with a full new install. This is a situation you want to avoid.
The EZ Level Difference! – EZ Level is peace of mind insurance for your natural granite countertops.
With EZ levels installed under your cabinets, they are rated for up to a 1400 lb. load and can lift and support even the heaviest slab and most solid cabinets with ease. They are guaranteed to remain level once locked into place and come with a lifetime guarantee.
Now ANYONE can perfectly level their kitchen in about 15 minutes – from the most experienced Professionals to the most novice DIY-ers.
If you are looking at installing a kitchen or bath and have granite, natural stone, or marble countertops to contend with, you need EZ Level Levelers to be part of your installation plan.
Visit https://www.ez-level.com/pages/level-ready to learn more
and https://www.ez-level.com/collections/store to shop.
Also, take advantage of our How to Install Series on Video www.EZ-Level.com/videos