Granite Glossary: Common Stone Terminology

Confused by terms utilized in the granite and stone construction market? Perhaps you’re questioning exactly what a CNC device really does, or just what makes quartzite different compared to quartz. As an informed purchaser, you acknowledge top quality granite, quartz and stone surface areas when presented as kitchen options. However, it’s just as crucial to comprehend exactly what enters into generating quality stone surface areas. This is where understanding terms is helpful — learn about procedures, devices as well as technologies that define just how a seasoned granite and marble fabricator generates quality surface products.

Here we’ll explore some common stone terminology a fabricator will use, and also just what these ideas suggest for the material — and also your kitchen countertops.

Book Match Pattern

This technique develops a repeated mirror image of the stone’s veining by matching adjacent, polished slabs at seams, backsplash and mitered edges. The technique showcases the character of the stone and creates an illusion that one continuous piece of stone was used.

CNC Machine

cnc machine photo

Photo by .dh

CNC is an acronym for Computer Numeric Controlled. The machine is used in granite and marble fabrication, it makes shapes, holes, and required cut-outs, replacing methods that were previously labor intensive. It can be programmed for specific jobs and accurately create spaces for sinks, mill seams and polish edges for a professional, clean appearance. These devices are critical to modern fabrication as they are able to create specialty pieces efficiently, to precise specifications.

Digital Templating

Developing a virtual model of your project allows for digital measuring, without the need for a physical model. The information gathered is extremely accurate, even for complex curved work, and is able to be integrated directly with design and fabrication equipment in a seamless process.

Engineered Stone

This stone is a man-made blend of natural materials, typically quartz, with ingredients like glass,epoxy, polyester, and others. It’s designed to resemble natural granite and stone but is not to be considered harvested natural stone. Engineered stone also offers the benefit of flexibility in potential design options in shape, colors, and patterns.

Quartzite

quartzite photo

Photo by James St. John

Formed from sandstone, quartzite is a natural stone that offers the advantage of extreme density and scratch resistance with a crystalline sparkle and earth tones that make it very attractive to consumers. It has a luminescence that isn’t found in granite, with unique patterns not typically reflected in common granite materials.

Rodding

A technique utilized in countertops, metal or fiberglass rods are installed in the underside of counter slabs for reinforcement, usually in narrow areas. It protects and supports the stone product where it may be vulnerable, adding strength where needed.

Miter

A miter is a completed corner, utilizing two stones cut at an angle to allow them to match up seamlessly, creating a heavier edge without adding actual weight.

Slabsmith

countertop photo

Photo by ArchCityGranite

Slabsmiths have the unique ability to visually determine the best layout of stone pieces, taking best advantage of the stone’s natural properties, colors and patterns, while minimizing the appearance of any flaws that may exist while designing your kitchen countertops.

Understanding Your Granite Countertops

Now that you have an understanding of common stone industry technology, you should easily be able to discuss technology and processes to an extent that you will be able to determine the level of focus the fabricator has on innovation and the quality of their materials.

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