There are two ways to cut granite countertops, wet or dry. Wet cutting is the most common method and it involves using water to lubricate the stone so that the blade can easily glide through the material. Dry cutting does not require water, but it does require more force to cut through the stone.

We should always use wet cutting when possible because it’s easier on our tools and produces a cleaner cut than dry cutting methods. In either case, it’s a mess, so set up a working area, prepare tables that can support the granite, where the work won’t affect other areas of the home. Ear, eye, and dust protection are essential.

The first step in cutting granite countertops is to prepare the stone for cutting. This means making sure that it is level, has been sealed properly and that any seams have been filled with mortar or grout.

The next step is to make the right measurements – draw a line on the stone with a marker or pencil where you want to cut it. Be sure not to cut too deep at first because you can always go deeper if needed later on. To minimize chip-out, cover the cut line with blue tape. Remeasure and mark the tape.

Once your line has been drawn, you need to use the appropriate tool for cutting the stone – usually a wet saw or diamond blade mounted in an angle grinder with a water cooling system – and start cutting. Whichever tool you use, keep the tool moving, but do not force the tool. This will minimize chip-out and deliver the cleanest cut.

Use an angle grinder with polishing pads to clean up the saw marks on the cut edge and to “break” or micro-bevel the 90-degree cut edge to soften it.

While the actual cutting of granite may be DIY-able, layout and templating kitchen countertops is generally not the work of the DIYer. In fact, it is generally reserved for a specialist.