Installing granite tile yourself

1. Filling in the gaps
Granite whether it is in  large slabs  or tiles are identical in durability, look and performance, assuming they come from the same quarry. The difference is the finished appearance. When you use the granite countertop tiles, you'll have to deal with grout lines in most instances. Grout is used to fill the gaps between tiles.

2. Epoxy vs. grout
However, with practice and great skill, you can substitute colored epoxy for grout. Professionals use colored epoxies to hide the seams of the large slabs used for most granite countertops. A real pro can tint the epoxy different colors along the seam to match the colors of the mineral crystals in the granite matrix. This trick cleverly disguises the seam. Imagine doing this between each piece of granite tile.

3. Slabs are easier
When you use granite tiles, you have to construct a hidden countertop that supports the tiles. This step is not necessary with the thick, giant slabs. The thick, one-piece granite slabs have the strength to span the open void spaces of the base cabinets.

4. A top that tops
This hidden countertop can be fashioned with high-quality plywood that is not warped. Look for plywood that's 3/4 inch thick and has at least six plies of cross-layered veneer wood. (The more plies, the more likely the plywood will be perfectly flat.)

5. Coat the wood
Once the plywood countertop is fashioned and secured to the base cabinets, you'll need to apply a second substrate that's water-resistant. Before you do this, coat the plywood with at least three coats of water-based urethane. Each coat will dry in less than an hour, and this coating will prevent the wood from rotting or warping in the event water reaches the wood.

6. Second layer
The second substrate can be a 1/4-inch layer of cement board or a waterproof gypsum board that has a waterproof fiberglass coating. The granite tiles will be adhered to this thin substrate.

7. Fixing the edge
You'll quickly discover at this point that you have an issue with the exposed edge of the plywood and thin substrate. You need to cover this unsightly edge with thin-cut pieces of granite tile. If you're lucky, you may be able to discover granite countertop edging that matches your granite tile and has the shaped profile you want.

8. The right saw
You'll need a diamond saw to cut the granite tile. You can't use inexpensive ceramic tile snapper tools on granite. A wet saw cuts without creating any dust.

9. Polishing tools
If you decide to fashion a square edge at the countertop overhang, note that most granite tiles do not have a polished edge. You'll need to polish this. It's not difficult, but you do need special tools.

10. Support it
It won't take long for you to discover that applying the small pieces of granite to hide the plywood is problematic. The heavy granite, under the perpetual influence of gravity, will want to fall to the floor. You'll have to devise a temporary support system until the adhesive is fully cured.

11. Here's the drill
You'll also have to get special diamond drill bits to cut the circles for your sink faucet.

12. Easy care
Once your new granite countertop is installed, you'll discover it's pretty easy to care for. The lighter granites need to be sealed well. These clear liquid granite sealers are easy to apply. Darker granites often are denser and, while they need to be sealed, they're not as susceptible to staining.