I thought I'd update this thread...our granite install was a nightmare. Slabs not cut to the correct size (rather large gaps b/w the cabinets & counters on sink run) When cutting pieces for the same counter run, they didn't check to be sure they were the same thickness. So they installed them and... The counter wasn't level at the seam...there was a visible difference in the heights, and We had a sharp edge with the thicker piece that was in just the right place for scraping knuckles when opening/closing drawers and accessing items in them. When we complained about it, they said it "didn't matter" and "this is normal". Huh???? I refused to accept that response and they finally took the thicker piece out and, in our yard, ground it down a bit. It's a little better, but a glass placed on the seam rocks a bit and there's still a bit of sharp stone hanging down, but not as much That same seam was filled with a light gray epoxy instead of black...again they said it was "normal"!!! (Yes, they eventually refilled it with a dark gray, not quite black, but they didn't have any black. It looks OK, not great, but OK) That same seam is also much wider than I expected...approx 1/4" wide. They stated it was within "spec" and refused to do anything with it. When I quoted what the Marble Institute of America says is "acceptable" (1/8"), their response was that they don't follow those standards. (Hmmm...) Along that same wall, it was obvious they did not template it properly. There was a gap b/w the back wall and counter on the right side that I could put my fingers all the way to my knuckles in...well over an inch wide! Their response was to tell me to put tile backsplash up to hide it...when I had specifically told them, over and over, that we would NOT have a tile backsplash in that location! (I was backed up by my KD's company's granite rep.) So, they ground it down (in-place) to try to match the contour of the wall. Again, not great, but at least we could put some black silicone b/w the wall & counter to hide it. I had covered all the drawer glides of my cabinets to prevent damage due to granite dust (it will destroy glides). However, for some reason they removed all my coverings prior to installation and, of course, the glides in the cabinet below where they ground the stone in-place were covered in granite dust! My glides were destroyed! We tried using "canned air" (at the installers recommendation) to remove the dust, but to no avail! They gave us such a hard time about it that we took matters into our own hands and replaced the damaged glides with the glides from the damaged cabinet (see below). Our KD gave us a hard time about it, but in the end she agreed it was the most cost-effective and fastest solution to the problem.. Probably the biggest issue I had with them was that when they brought in one of the pieces for the other side of the kitchen, they brought it in the wrong way. Instead of going...

We just installed a marble countertop in our bathroom and I posted this question in the Bathroom Forum and someone suggested I try the Kitchen Forum too. We are not sure what to clean it with that will be sanitary but will not etch it. Any experience with Zep or any other recommendations?

2cm only requires plywood if you feel it does, or if someone else who is important feels this need. I've seen lots of 2cm without plywood, installed by Italians who know stone and whose families "know stone" for generations. I've seen them make tables out of 2cm and give it no support. Once you start trying to "be safe" you will do lots of extra steps. Plywood is a good one. Another good one is 3" radius corners for your sink cutout.

Hi Everyone, I'm considering installing decomposed granite in a few areas of our yard: 1. Side yards we use to access the back yard. 2. An area about 10x30 feet which we'd like to use as a somewhat multipurpose area for an outdoor ping pong table and possibly and area for petanque or bocce in the future. I'm looking for a product that will stay in place with no or very minimal run off from rain, wind, wear and tear. Also want a natural look and permiability. So, I've run across a product called GraniteCrete. I've asked a couple of contractors about installing it and they all say its really not much different from regular stabilized DG. As far as I can tell, its used by landscape companies and builders but I haven't found any homeowners who have experience with this product. Has anyone used this? If so, can you please share your experience? Specifically, does the product stay in place over extended use? https://www.granitecrete.com/residential-installations/ Would welcome input, thanks!