Granite countertops are one of the latest trends, and this indeed is a great way of beautifying your home. These can be added to many places like the restrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms.
It’s not that difficult to install these in a home. However, when you’ll be installing a granite countertop, you’ll have to place it on another cabinet that will act as the base.
Now, unlike other construction materials, granite can’t be screwed down. This is why you’ll need some sort of construction adhesive to keep the granite fixed in its place.
To learn how to glue granite together, we recommend you read this until the very end, as we’ll be covering every aspect that you need to know for gluing granite together.
What Is a Granite Adhesive?
Can you use regular construction glues for fixing granite? No. You can use general adhesive and mastic glue while installation, but they won’t hold the granite together.
For fixing the granite firmly, you need granite adhesive. These are essentially epoxy glues that are a mixture of hardeners and resins.
During the installation, these are applied to the edges of the cabinet, and then the granite slab is placed. The glue is also useful for joining two slabs of granite together.
Now that you have an idea about what you need to use, let’s go through the process of installing a granite slab.
How to Glue Granite Slabs Together?
The following instructions will guide you through the entire process of gluing two slabs of granite together. Follow these strictly and cautiously for a good output.
Step 1: Preparation
When you’re working with granite slabs, preparation can determine whether the result will look good or not. The first challenge is choosing two granite slabs that’ll go well together.
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Choosing the Right Slabs
Unlike artificial construction materials, granite slabs don’t come in the same colors or patterns. Joining two blocks of granite with different patterns will make the resultant slab look very bad.
This is why the first thing that you need to do is choose two slabs that have similar patterns and the same color. Getting two slabs that merge seamlessly is nearly impossible. However, cutting the edge accurately can change that.
When you’re shopping for granite slabs, we strongly suggest you purchase from reliable and reputed suppliers. Usually, the professionals help to pick the right slabs.
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Smoothen the Edges
The edges of the slabs might not match right after purchasing them. To remedy this, you need to dry-fit the slabs first. If you’re a DIYer, then there’s a good chance that you don’t have the right tools for making the edges smooth.
Should this be the case, then we highly recommend getting it done by professionals. Smoothen the edges up as long as you don’t think that they match each other perfectly. Don’t proceed to the later steps if they aren’t as smooth as they can be.
Once they’re clean, you should wipe the edges with a damp towel or cloth. You don’t need any cleaning agent, only water will do the job. This step will clean any dust or grease and it’ll make sure that the epoxy works well.
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Mask the Edges
After the edges are clean and smooth, you need to apply masking tapes to the edges that are going to be joined together. Make sure that you mask only the top and bottom side along the edge, and not the edge itself.
If you follow this step, then the top and bottom surfaces of the granite will be safe from the epoxy. If the epoxy gets stuck on these surfaces, it will remain forever.
Step 2: Alignment
When the slabs are prepared to be glued down together, you need to make sure that the alignment is okay. You won’t get more than one chance at these. If you join up to two slabs with a bad alignment, you won’t be able to remove them.
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Place the Slabs Side by Side
Place the slabs at a distance of 2cm from each other, and make sure that the edges that you’re going to seam together are facing each other. 2cm is an appropriate distance as it’ll allow you to measure whether they are aligned or not.
Plus, this distance will allow you to apply epoxy on both edges properly, and you’ll also be able to squeeze them tight once the glue is applied.
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Clamp Them Together
You’ll need a kit of rubber suction cups and turnbuckles made of sturdy materials. These kits are easily found in a shop that deals with construction materials and accessories.
In most cases, getting two pairs of each of these accessories will do you good. However, if you’re going to join two large slabs, then you better go for three pairs.
http:/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_mXLTVMx2k/
The first thing that you need to do is stick the suction cups at an equal distance from the edge on one slab. Place them at the same distance for the other slab as well.
Once the suction cups are placed, you’ll have to add the turnbuckles on them, and then join the opposite turnbuckles together. When you’re done joining them, they’ll look like bridges joining the two slabs.
Step 3: Applying the Epoxy
There are a few steps that you need to follow for applying the epoxy properly. These are discussed below.
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Adding Tint to the Epoxy for Matching the Granite
Take a small bowl of transparent epoxy. The first ingredient that you want to mix with epoxy is a tint, and you should pick the shade that goes well with the color of the granite.
A putty knife is a perfect tool for mixing the tint. Use it to blend the color properly with the resin. Let the mix dry for 15 minutes once you’re done.
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Mixing the Hardener
The hardener is one of the key elements that’ll hold the granite strongly. Usually, the package of the epoxy comes with an instruction on how you should mix the hardener.
We recommend following this instruction as the process depends heavily on the epoxy you’re using.
One major thing to remember here is that the epoxies don’t become adhesives until you mix the hardener. After mixing the hardener, you won’t get much time for applying it.
Depending on the epoxy and hardener you’re using, you’ll get 15 minutes at best before it hardens completely. This is why we recommend applying it as soon as you’re finished mixing.
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Applying the Epoxy
The thickness of the epoxy will be like peanut butter once it’s mixed. You can get the epoxy on a putty knife for applying it properly.
Take the epoxy on a putty knife and butter the edges of the granite slabs with it. Make sure that the epoxy is applied equally across the surfaces and be fast about it. You still need to do a lot after this and being late will only result in poorly joined slabs.
Step 4: Clamping and Finishing
This is the last phase of the process, and it needs to be executed properly for a perfect finish. Here are the steps that you’ll need to follow.
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Clamp the Slabs
As soon as you’re done applying the epoxy, you need to clamp the slabs together. Rotate the turnbuckles counter-clockwise for tightening them. Make sure that you don’t overdo this. Just go as far as your hands take you, and don’t use other tools like wrenches.
Once the slabs are close, check for every detail and make small adjustments accordingly.
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Remove the Excess Epoxy
After tightening the slabs, you’ll find excess epoxy on top of the tape masks. Remove them using a wet putty knife. Just glide the knife gently on top of the mask. You don’t have to remove every bit of scrap. Just remove what you can without much effort.
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Wait 20 Minutes
Now, you need to wait for some time for the epoxy to harden. Waiting 15 minutes is enough in most cases, but we recommend waiting 20 minutes for being completely sure.
Then again, we suggest you follow the instructions on the epoxy you’re using, as this depends on the brand you’re using.
After this period, you need to remove the suction cups first. Slowly remove the masking tapes after that. This will remove any excess adhesive on the surface.
If there’s still some glue left, use the putty knife for removing them gently.
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Polish the Slab
Now, it’s time for the finishing touch. You need to wet a clean cloth with acetone and use that to wipe the entire countertop. This will help you remove any excess epoxy on the countertop.
Wait for the acetone to evaporate, and spray on some granite polish.
Conclusion
How to glue granite together? Just follow these steps, and you’ll be there! Make sure you maintain caution during the entire process. We highly discourage using tools like a saw for cutting the slabs if you don’t have any training on this.
Other than that step, you’ll be able to complete the other steps at relative ease!
Resources:
- https://www.wikihow.com/Seam-Granite
- https://www.tenax4you.com/gluing-granite-countertops-s/2273.htm
- https://askinglot.com/how-do-you-glue-granite-together
