You and your significant other have decided to replace your countertops. You have not yet decided between granite, marble, or quartz, but you do know that you want natural stone. Whatever you ultimately decide, just remember this one important fact: accurate measurements are critical when it comes time to order.
You can avoid having to measure anything by letting us install your new countertops for you. But if you really want to do it yourself, don’t just measure twice and cut once. Measure as many times as necessary to guarantee your numbers are accurate. Here’s why: stone countertops are very unforgiving during installation.
Laminates Give You Wiggle Room
Laminate countertops are wood countertops with a laminate layer on top. Being wood, they are more forgiving. They give you a little bit of wiggle room in terms of fit. The same is not true of natural stone. Granite, marble, and quartz need to be cut with maximum precision prior to installation.
If an angle is off slightly, it is not like you can take a jigsaw and make a quick correction to get things to fit properly. Making adjustments to a stone countertop requires a lot more work. And if you go too far with your adjustments, there is no turning back.
We often say that countertop installation should be left to professionals when you’re working with a stone material. This is why. Installation is a precision enterprise that leaves very little room for error.
A Tiny Error Can Have Major Implications
Along with the fact that stone countertops are less forgiving is the reality that even a tiny error can have major implications. Being off just an eighth of an inch on one end of a 12-foot countertop can skew the other end considerably. It doesn’t take much.
There are ways to work around being off on your measurements here and there. But there are no guarantees that the finished product will live up to your expectations. Therefore, it’s better to go above and beyond with your measurements with the goal of eliminating the possibility of errors as much as is humanly possible.
How to Properly Measure for Stone Countertops
By now you might be wondering if there is a particular technique for measuring a kitchen before installing countertops. Yes, there is. It starts with drawing a diagram. What you’re after is a basic layout of the kitchen, the countertops, and any appliances that are in play. This includes the refrigerator and dishwasher.
Next, you are going to mark various locations on your diagram. Mark the location of the sink first. If you have a built-in washing machine and oven, mark their positions next. Finally, mark the position of the refrigerator if it butts up to one of the edges of the countertop.
It’s now time to measure. With the countertops, you are measuring length and depth. Measure length and width of the sink as well as the distance between it and the backsplash. Measure the length and width of any appliances in play, as well as their distances from associated walls and countertop edges.
Write all your measurements on the diagram clearly and precisely, so that whoever helps you in the showroom understands what you have measured. If you can make your diagram to scale, that would be even better.
We also have a helpful tool that allows you to visualize different countertop selections and get a quote for your new countertop installation.
Precision Wins the Day
Measuring for new countertops doesn’t have to be complicated. However, it should be accurate. Precision wins the day when installing granite, marble, or quartz countertops. Stone materials are less forgiving. So being as accurate as possible with your measurements results in a better installation.
