Among the many reasons we recommend professional countertop installation is the fact that stone countertops are so heavy. And by the way, this isn’t just a Utah thing. Countertop dealers across the country tend to recommend professional installation as a matter of course.
As for countertop weight, customers have asked us why materials like granite and marble are so heavy compared to wood and laminates. Although there are several factors, the biggest one is material density. The greater the density, the heavier the material.
A Description of Material Density
Imagine your own kitchen. When it is just you and your family in the space, you can all move about freely. Now imagine packing one hundred people into that same space. No one can move because everyone is packed tightly together. The image you now have in your brain perfectly illustrates high density.
Natural stone materials – like marble, granite, and quartzite – are high density materials. All the minerals and other materials that make up their respective compositions are packed tightly together. Over prolonged periods of time, heat and pressure work to pack the individual molecules even more tightly. As density goes up, so does weight.
Two Other Factors to Consider
While density is the main contributor to countertop weight, there are two additional factors to consider. The first is material composition. The various components in a natural stone all contribute to its weight. Heavier particles mean a heavier stone.
Likewise, a laminate countertop is made with a combination of wood and plastic laminate. Both materials weigh considerably less. So even though a laminate countertop takes up the same amount of physical space, the materials that went into building that countertop are lighter. Hence, the entire countertop itself is lighter than stone.
The other factor to consider is thickness. Stone countertops are generally thicker than their laminate counterparts. They need to be in order to provide enough structural support. When stone slabs are not thick enough, they are prone to breaking at their weak points.
Extra thickness adds weight when combined with material composition and density. Thicker slabs mean more stone material. And more stone material means added weight.
Heavy Stone Is Unwieldy
Now that you understand just how heavy stone countertops are, consider just how unwieldy they are. A marble or granite countertop is not going to flex at all. So getting a slab into the house is more difficult. Also, because stone countertops often require multiple technicians to safely install, you have more hands attempting to carry and place a countertop. Every set of hands makes the stone slab even more unwieldy.
Professional installers know how to safely handle stone countertops. They also have the right tools for the job. Personally, I would not trust myself to install marble, granite, or quartzite. If I were investing in a stone countertop, I would go with professional installation all the way.
A Great Asset
Overall, natural stone’s heavier weight is actually an asset. It is subsequently tougher and more durable. It offers more stability as well. But excess weight can also be a liability. To make up for potential liabilities, it is best to have stone countertops installed by professionals. And that brings us to our final point: here at Bedrock Quartz, we install everything we sell. Visit one of our Utah showrooms to speak to our countertop experts and get started with your custom installation today.
