Slab Videos

What to look for when selecting Granite slabs and/or your fabricator.

• Even if the stone colors that you like have a lot of veins and color movement look for even colored slabs from left to right and top to bottom. This allows better seams!
• Higher price level and higher quality slabs have a smooth resin finish on top of the stone. Feel the surface with your finger nail, especially the veins and fissures to ensure that the resin is smooth especially in those areas.
• Slabs with mesh and resin on the back slabs are typical of higher end and fragile stones.This is important to maintain the structural integrity of the more exotic and fragile stones.
• If your job requires multiple slabs, check that the slabs are sequential (They have numbers on the side). This allows for optimal color and grain matching, especially important at seams.
• Will your countertops be “Scribed” or “Square Cut”? A scribe cut counter will follow the walls irregular shape perfectly while a straight cut counter will be caulked or even worse, cut into the drywall allowing winters cold air enter the cabinets and your house. ASK FIRST!
• Rods should be installed inside the stone in critical areas such as in front of and behind the sink cutout. Does your fabricator do this? ASK FIRST!

SR (Stain Resistance) Rating System

Definition: This is the stones natural resistance to staining before sealer is applied to it. This is determined by several factors including density, porosity and resin treatment.

A measure of "5" offers the highest resistance to staining.

Read SR Article

What to avoid when selecting Granite slabs or fabricators.

• Prices too good to be true. You already know the old adage. If it seems to good to be true, it probably is. This industry is especially vulnerable due to most customers not knowing how to tell a good stone from a bad one.
• Standard quality (2^nd quality) slabs have flaws you may not even be able see, but can lead to cracking during or after installation. Mix and matched lots and kitchens pieced together from remnants is common practice to hold down costs at many fabrication shops.
• Avoid, fabricators who make their templates with strips of plastic or wood. Demand digital accuracy. The difference in finished product fit is tremendous.
• If you choose slabs that have veins and movement in the colors you would be crazy to allow a fabricator to cut your slabs without digital Slab Smith layout technology.