Counter Productivity

Well, the counter top installers arrived at 11am today and had their work cut out for them.  I had cleared out the garage to provide a clear entry point for them, and before long, the first heavy piece of granite was set in place.

Truck with our counter tops on the A-frame in the center

Maneuvering sink counter top in a very tight space

Whew!

Suction cups help with maneuvering, but lose their grip within a few minutes!

Then came the marble top for the vanity

Marble counter top with porcelain under-mount sink and holes for faucet and soap dispenser

The dining room counter top was in three pieces

Initial placement, later integrated with epoxy to blend the seams

Finally came the island counter top, one big, heavy piece of granite that required four strong men to carry it inside.  But first, they had to swing it 180 degrees to get it correctly oriented.

Island counter top on A-frame dolly and wood blocks covered with carpet

Sliding the slab into proper position

12-inch overhang for dining at the island

Meanwhile, the crew discovered that the sink backsplash had an unpolished end, so out to the deck it went for a buffing with 3 different polishing pads.  That portable buffer did a fine job.

Polishing backsplash

The smallest piece is on the cabinet to the left of the oven.

We chose a sink with a corner drain to maximize the useable under-counter space

Island inside corner detail

Completed dining room installation

After dinner, Sharron and Amanda organized more of the drawers.

Where are we going to put all of this stuff?

Olive oil and Balsamic vinegar

We have to let the epoxy set between the granite and counters for 24 hours before working on the plumbing, so I have a temporary reprieve.  Tomorrow, we will finally have running water in the kitchen!