How to Avoid Seams in Granite Countertops
Create cohesive countertops with these tips for making unsightly seams disappear
If you have ever inherited a haphazard kitchen countertop job, you know that a visible seam in a high-traffic area can distract the eye, not to mention antagonize the homeowner. It does not take actual magic to cause seams to disappear in granite countertops, but it does take strategy for which color to use and where to make your cuts. Here is how to avoid seams in granite countertops, whether in your kitchen or bathroom.
1. How to Choose Granite Countertop Slabs
Granite countertops have many benefits, like durability and easy maintenance. But the seams in this material do not disappear easily when compared to solid surface countertops, whose manufacturing process helps to hide them. When purchasing granite slabs, it is helpful to know how to seam granite countertops the right way to avoid future irritation.
Size of Your Kitchen or Bathroom
When outfitting a smaller kitchen or bathroom with granite countertops, you might get away with a single slab of granite—usually about 50 square feet in size (nine to 10 feet tall, five to six feet wide) with a thickness of 0.75 inches to 1.25 inches. Not only will a single slab lower the overall cost to install your granite countertops, but you will not have to think about how to make granite seams disappear.
If your kitchen is large or you have a kitchen island as a focal point, then you will likely need two or three slabs to compensate for the extra width and length of the final countertop surface.
Patterned Granite
If you are using patterned granite countertops, make sure your local countertop installer uses slabs from the same family of stone, so that the patterns and colors on each slab line up with each other. You can go with bookmatched slabs where the veining will align and the adjoining pieces will mirror each other like an open book. Choosing the right slabs will make hiding granite countertop seams a lot easier.
Four-Part Approach
“We have a four-part approach to dealing with granite—or any stone—seams that are uneven or not smooth to the touch,” says Bob Tschudi, Expert Review Board Member and a Raleigh, North Carolina-based general contractor. “The first ‘S’ is for shim, for surfaces that are very out of line; the second ‘S’ is for sand, which lowers the higher part to the lower part; the third ‘S’ is for smooth, which involves filling gaps and different levels with a non-granite material; and the fourth ‘S’ is for seal, which makes the entire surface look like one smooth cut of rock.”
2. Choose Granite Countertop Color to Match Grout
When researching how to hide granite seams, you will find that choosing the perfect countertop color is essential. You can buy granite in pretty much any color you can dream of, from more neutral tones, like white, brown, or black, to a rainbow of bold and bright hues.
The lighter the color, the better your countertops will match the wide-ranging palette of traditional grout colors, and the easier it will be to achieve inconspicuous seams. If hiding seams is a priority for you, you might want to go with a solid white surface or a semi-solid color, like a black pearl countertop. It is easier to hide seams with a darker or solid color than with a stone with variations in color and a complex pattern that is difficult to match.
One creative solution for avoiding a seam in your countertop is to design a two-tone kitchen with different types of stone countertops. For example, if your kitchen layout allows it, you can install granite countertops along the wall with the sink and refrigerator, and use another countertop material, like butcher block or tile, for the island. This approach also opens the door to getting creative with your kitchen cabinet colors.
3. Place Seams in Granite Strategically
Granite countertop installation requires moving extremely heavy slabs of stone that weigh several hundred pounds. An incorrect installation can cost you a lot in repairs. Unless you are an advanced-level DIYer, call on professionals for this project.
Talk to your professional installer about the placement of the cuts in the slab so they are not front and center in your kitchen. If you have a cutout for a range or sink in the middle of your countertop, your pro can place the seam in line with the appliance edge to create a visual sleight of hand.
If the slab for your cabinets is long enough to stretch from one side of the wall to the other, you will not need to worry about a visual seam. Otherwise, a pro will be able to make an invisible seam by filling it in with an epoxy resin dyed to match the color of the granite. For L-shaped countertops, a pro will cut two slabs to form a straight 45-degree angle, creating another visual illusion that makes the seam nearly invisible.
4. Make Smaller Cuts for Smaller Seams in Your Granite
Expertise and knowing how to cut granite countertops properly makes a big difference when it comes to seams. The shorter the seam in granite countertops, the easier it will blend and disappear from view. Your installer should strive for the shortest and smallest seams possible. They will need to take extra care when working near cutouts for sinks and stovetops.
5. Avoid Uneven Slabs When Installing Your Granite Countertops
The two granite slabs should be completely level at the seams. Even the smallest difference will lead to an uneven installation that will make your seams very obvious. Also, ensure a long-lasting installation by placing the seams in a well-supported area. Otherwise, the countertops could shift over time and lead to uneven seams down the road.
6. Use Caulk to Make Seams in Granite Disappear
Sometimes a countertop seam in the middle of the room is unavoidable and, while most seams are one-sixteenth of an inch or less, you might still notice them. One way to make your seam disappear is to fill it with a caulk that matches the color of your countertops. The products that pros use are different from the retail variety, so you should consult with a countertop installer near you on which type of caulk you need.
“Granite repair is heavy, dirty, and a lot of work,” says Tschudi. “That’s why we spend a lot of time and effort finding and employing the best granite fabricators and installers.”
7. Paint the Seams in Your Granite Counters
Painting countertop seams works best if you have an old solid-color countertop that is white or black; it is harder to do with granite slabs that have veining. Before painting the seams of older countertops, thoroughly clean out the seam and scrub the surrounding surface. Then, use a brush to fill the seam with paint and wipe away any excess across the seam. If the countertops are brand new, you can skip the cleaning step. You may need to apply multiple coats, as well as a seal with epoxy to finish your DIY countertop painting project.
8. Work With a Professional Granite Countertop Installer
For the best “seamless” results, consider bringing in a professional granite countertop installer. There are lots of details that go into a quality countertop installation, like handling a very heavy and expensive slab, preparing the cabinetry to support the weight, and more. A good installer will do everything right, including minimizing the appearance of seams. Hire a local stone countertop installer to help you do the job right.
9. Check the Seam Work After Professional Installation
After your pro finishes the countertop installation, check the seam work yourself before they head out. A proper installer will make sure that they follow all of the rules for minimizing seams. Avoid unrealistic expectations, however. Granite slabs are not seamless, and there is no way to get rid of them altogether. Plus, keep in mind that there are other factors that play into minimizing seams, besides the installation quality. This includes the slab quality, the specific slab pieces you choose to buy, and the color of your slabs.