Yes, marble countertops are glued down, it’s one of several methods of installing marble countertops and is one of the most commonly used.
Contractors, you’ll find, usually use either a construction adhesive or silicone caulk to glue a marble slab to the top of the frame for a cabinet. It requires a process of multiple people carefully turning the marble upright, positioning it over the cabinet close to where they want it set down.
Different Methods for Marble Installation
Marble is beautiful, but it’s also a pain in the neck to install. Here are a few different methods usually used for installing marble countertops.
Using Glue to Attach Marble Countertops
Using glue is the most common method of installing marble countertops, as we noted before. This method requires silicone caulk or construction adhesive to glue the marble countertop to the structure securely and permanently.
In the event you’re drilling holes for faucets and installing an under-mount sink, we recommend that you complete installing the counter first.
To ensure a strong bond between the countertop and cabinet, you must first level both surfaces. The leveling process requires the countertop to be turned over on a set of sawhorses with wooden blocks between them until they’re perfectly vertical– this can take some time!
Once everything’s at an accurate height (and not slanted), apply silicone caulk or construction adhesive onto all of the edges that are exposed on the frame. Then, proceed to turn the top side down again so that it bonds against the backside when set into place correctly.
After allowing the adhesive time to set overnight, you will then install the backsplash by caulking the edges. Never do this work alone, as marble is heavy and no matter how strong you might think you are, you’re not ‘move marble by yourself’ strong. Another safety tip is to wear rubber gloves.
How to Remove Stains from Marble Countertops
Glue Marble to Plywood
If you want to leave open the option of changing your countertop down the line or making it easier to take with you in the event you move, then don’t worry. You have an option. Simply glue the marble directly to a piece of plywood.
This method is essentially the same as using glue to attach marble countertops. However, instead of mounting the marble permanently with adhesive, it sits on top of a base layer of plywood.
Plywood Underlayment Installation
To install underlayment for your new countertop, you will need plywood, a sawhorse, pencil, tape measurer, circular saw/jigsaw, screwdriver, and hammer.
The process is essentially the same as the previous method of just gluing the marble to the countertop. The difference is the plywood. If an undermount sink already exists, then you’ll need to trace and cut the sink opening using the jigsaw.
Since you’re looking to make the marble a flexible fixture in your home, you’re going to want to focus on the underside and add glue strips of wood. The glue strips in combination with a construction adhesive can then be used, in a process of driving screws, to attach the plywood into the frame.
Add and spread caulk onto the plywood before setting the countertop in place. Allow it to sit overnight before connecting plumbing and moving onto the backsplash.
Using Brackets
This method of installing a marble countertop is the most expensive and requires more time to install. Instead of using glue, brackets are attached from one side to another via screws or nails at an angle to secure them together correctly.
There’s also a special kind of bracket called a ‘drop leg’ which will attach directly into your cabinet frame for added support once mounted correctly.
Drop Leg Bracket Installation Method
To start this process off, grab some wood strips measuring around ¾” x ½” that you’ll then screw onto the underside corners on both sides with drop legs if needed. These wooden strips should be long enough to reach each other across the entire length of your cabinets and have additional space towards the front of the cabinets to attach them.
Then you’ll use a circular saw or jigsaw to cut out square notches on each side of your cabinet, where the brackets will sit. These notches should be deep enough for both sides of the bracket legs to fit inside but also allow some wiggle room horizontally so you can align everything perfectly before screwing them in place together.
To further ensure this alignment grab two levelers and make sure they’re plumb by using a level across their bases as well– once done, simply drive screws into all four corners at angles through pre-drilled holes within the wooden strips underneath first on one side, then the other.
Driving screws requires you to ensure the use of goggles for your safety.
