Yes, you can put granite countertops in a mobile home. A mobile home is able to support the weight of granite on a per sq ft basis.
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What should I look for in a countertop for my mobile home?
Evaluating material, weight, durability, and price is essential when looking for a countertop to install in a mobile home. The decision of which countertop to choose will come down to these four elements.
By taking time to look at samples and then inspecting the slab that the countertop will be cut from, the end result is a mobile home countertop that can take the wear and tear, looks beautiful, fits into the budget, and can withstand the occasional move.
Material
When it comes to choosing a material for a mobile home countertop, there is no one perfect answer. The material used depends on several factors. Durability, appearance, color, along with other factors. Two factors to consider are, is it stain resistant, and is it scratch resistant?
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Weight
Weight is a factor that needs to be looked at but is not a deterrent to using heavier materials, for example, granite. Mobile homes have the capacity to hold 40 lbs per sq ft., by the numbers. A ¾-inch granite slab weighs in at about 13 lbs per sq ft. on average. This falls within an acceptable weight range for a mobile home.
The weight of the underlayment and any extra bracing should be calculated into the total per sq ft but it should fall short of the max weight allowed per sq ft.
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Durability
When choosing the materials for a mobile home, countertop durability is essential. Granite ranks high on the durability chart. Granite is a solid surface, scratch-resistant, structurally rigid material option that is suited well for a mobile home application.
The durability of granite is well known, what isn’t as known is there is an engineered granite that is also available that is equally if not more durable. Heat and scratch resistant just like the natural granite but with added engineered characteristics.
Price
The price of countertop materials can be a deciding factor when deciding on which material to use. Some materials are more expensive due to supply and demand, or if the material is from natural sources or man-made.
When looking at granite there is some room for choice. Generally divided into three grades with level 1 being the lowest grade and level three signifying the higher end. The prices will vary between levels. Price is also set by thickness and appearance.
It’s possible to get a good piece for a countertop and not be ranked at the highest level.
How to install the countertop
Before the new counter top can be laid the old one must be taken out, and the cabinets inspected for structural soundness. They need to be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the granite.
The thickness of the granite will determine if a plywood underlayment would be necessary and in the case of a mobile home the slab will be around ¾ inch so it is mandatory to add an underlayment to keep the slab from cracking when moving.
After the plywood is attached to the cabinets, a line of adhesive can be laid down around the edges and small blocks will be added for extra anchor points around the perimeter and in cross section areas to secure the slab to the base.
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How do I maintain my granite on the go?
How to maintain granite on the go is to make sure at the beginning it is properly sealed. Once the granite is properly sealed, maintenance is fairly simple.
For daily maintenance, a pH-neutral cleaner that is specially made for cleaning granite countertops is to be used. This will serve as your daily cleaner.
If you’ve ran out of the cleaner, use a soft cloth with mild soap and water to do the trick.
Pros and cons of granite countertop
When deciding to go with a granite countertop there are significant pros and measurable cons that should be considered and to be aware of. The luxurious appearance is well worth the effort to understand the nuances of having a granite countertop.
Pros
Unique Design
Each slab has a unique pattern giving a special look to each countertop. In the higher grades of granite, the veining, coloring and pattern is extremely sought after because of the uniqueness of each one. The more unique the higher the price but with granite it is a good tradeoff.
High-value Upgrade
The value of the mobile home will rise when additions like countertops are added and granite is a high value upgrade. Supply and demand have made granite a valuable upgrade for homes, mobile or otherwise. Granite will add value to your property.
Resistant Surface
Granite is a non-porous material that after being sealed can be considered a sturdy and durable choice for mobile home countertop upgrades. Heat, scratch and stain resistant granite is not only aesthetically pleasing but can hold up well over the years.
Cons
Maintenance
Considered low maintenance by comparison, it is important to keep up with regular maintenance on a granite countertop; this can be viewed as extra work that might not be necessary on other materials.
Expensive
The cost of Granite, although not the most expensive material, is substantially higher than other materials that can be used. This con can be lessened in severity by understanding the grades and levels of granite. Although the lesser grades are still in the more expensive category for countertop materials.
Damage
The edges and corners can be prone to damage and repairs can be costly. Choosing the right bevel may lessen the impacts that may occur but the damage is still a factor to consider. Also, a factor that presents itself specifically to mobile homes is the twisting and moving that occurs during the transport of a mobile home.
