One of the things we are commonly asked is how to seal granite. The process is actually quite simple and can easily done by yourself in less than an hour.
The first thing to understand is knowing what sealing your tops really is versus the common misconceptions.
What is the point of putting steel rods into your stone countertops? Steel rods help add strength and rigidity to your stone. On a typical sink cutout, there is only 4” of stone in the front and maybe 3 1/2” or so of stone behind the faucet. These are weak points where the stone has a tendency to be weak and break. By adding the steel, we strengthen this area, both for transportation to your home, and added strength after it gets installed. For unusual overhangs, it helps add strength and prevent breakage. Steel rods also prevent the stone from falling apart in the event of a break, which is useful when you are trying to move a piece.
One of the design details that I find people struggle with is backsplash. Because of the nature of backsplash, it is on a vertical surface, it captures the eye very prominently. The first thing you have to do is decide if you want anything on the wall at all. We never recommend your countertop going to plain drywall. The reasons for this are mostly sanitary: your drywall is going to get scratched and dirty without some kind of protection on it. At its basic function, this is what backsplash is designed for.
The Choices
At Washington Marble & Granite, a 4” granite or marble backsplash is what we recommend on a standard kitchen. It provides basic protection, it is pleasing to the eye, and it is proportional to the standard cabinet sizes. It is right amount of stone: not too much, not too little. Read more
