How To Transport Granite
Granite countertops are a popular design choice for kitchens and baths, but they’re heavy, making them challenging to move. When you purchase granite in person, often due to liability issues, you’re on your own to load the slabs into your car. Knowing how to transport granite properly can save you a lot of stress by avoiding cracks and broken slabs.
Use an A-frame to transport large granite slabs so you can move them vertically. Stand the slabs on the rough edge and aim to make all necessary cut-outs on site. Smaller slabs might only require a small A-frame; your car seats might provide additional support. When carrying granite, use two to four people and a dolly or cart for larger pieces.
Don’t ever attempt to move granite solo, whether it’s brand new or you’re removing old granite. You’re inviting a higher risk of damaging the slabs, not to mention injuring yourself. Always enlist at least one set of helping hands. And plan for a couple of helpers if you’re transporting large granite slabs, such as those for kitchen counters.
The Best Way To Transport Granite Without Breaking It
When transporting granite, it’s essential to load it into your vehicle vertically. The granite needs to stand upright throughout transport to have the lowest possible risk of getting cracks, chips, or other types of damage.
Additionally, stand the granite slabs on their unpolished edges and transport them on a level, flat surface. To help carry slabs vertically, you’ll need to use an A-frame support.
Use An A-Frame To Transport Granite Slabs
Professional installers use wooden A-frames made of 2 x 4s at a 10-degree angle that provide support to standing granite. These frames also consist of straps or clamps that can securely hold the slabs.
You can use a large A-frame support in the bed of a pick-up truck to transport larger slabs. Smaller frames are available for inside SUVs.
Or, if you can put down a section of your seats, you might be able to use the seats as additional support. The seats could potentially serve as supports for small slabs, but still, make sure to secure the slabs well with straps.
If you’re transporting your own granite, you can likely rent an A-frame from the granite shop. They will require you to pay a rental fee, put down a returnable deposit, or both.
Can You Transport Granite Slabs With Cut-Outs?
If you need cut-outs in your granite for a cooktop, faucets, or drop-in sink, it’s best to make these once the granite is on site. Transporting slabs with these cutouts already in place can make the granite more susceptible to cracking and damage. However, cutouts for undermount sinks typically feature a polished edge safe for transport.
Can You Transport Granite Laying Down?
You should never transport granite horizontally, even if it’s a smaller piece. When you attempt to transport granite slabs this way, they can crack easily under their own weight. The slabs become much more vulnerable over bumps and dips in the road due to a lack of support.
How Heavy Is A Slab Of Granite?
Granite slabs vary in size, and it’s worth knowing how heavy the slabs of granite are that you’re moving. You’ll, of course, want to make sure you have a vehicle that can handle the weight. Depending on your car or truck’s load capacity, you may need to make several trips or rent a larger vehicle.
A granite slab that is ¾ inches thick runs about 13 pounds per square foot. Thicker slabs will, of course, weigh more; 1-¼-inch slabs can weigh approximately 18 pounds per square foot.
Therefore, the average slab of granite for a kitchen weighs between 700 and 1,200 pounds, depending on the size and thickness. This load would be far too much for a car or small SUV, but a pick-up truck could potentially handle the job.
How Should You Carry Granite Slabs?
Similar to transporting granite in a vehicle, when you carry the slabs, you should also hold them vertically. Otherwise, you risk the slabs cracking under their own weight.
If you have small pieces of granite, two to four people could likely handle carrying the slabs. When lifting granite with others, ensure you raise the slab simultaneously to keep slabs level.
But, if you’re dealing with overly heavy or oversized pieces, using a cart that can hold the slabs vertically is a better option. Even if you use a dolly or cart, having an extra set of hands available is a good idea. Your helper can assist with guiding the slab and adding additional support.
If slabs are simply too large for you to maneuver into your home, you may need to have them cut smaller. Then, the installers will need to piece the individual sections together.
How Should You Move Granite Upstairs?
If you need to carry granite slabs upstairs, this can be especially challenging. You can have two to four people carry smaller slabs, but you might want to consider using a stair cart.
A rolling stair cart for granite or marble helps you maintain control while moving large slabs up flights of stairs. You can find these to buy or rent at home improvement stores or online. For overly large slabs, you might need to use two carts.
Summary
To avoid cracks and other damage when transporting granite, load the slabs vertically onto an A-frame support. Make sure the slabs rest on their unpolished edges and place them on an even, flat surface.
Secure the slabs using clamps and straps, and make cutouts for faucets, cooktops, and drop-in sinks on-site. When carrying granite, have a helper or helpers available, and make sure everyone lifts at the same time.
Hold the slabs vertically; carrying or transporting granite horizontally provides inadequate support. This lack of support leads to the slabs breaking under their own weight. If you need to move granite over stairs, a rolling stair cart could come in handy.
Transporting granite is no light feat, so make the proper preparations and arrange for necessary help. By taking these steps, you can make sure your granite slabs arrive at their new home in one piece.
Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
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