What is it? Does every stone need it? Both are valid and commonly asked questions. After working with a company that offers this service for more than two years, I have come to appreciate my customers’ curiosity about this service.
What is it?
To best explain what the layout is we have to start at the time of template. Stone Masters does digital templating. The digital file of your measurements are then brought back to production and uploaded to a computer. Below is what it looks like once uploaded into the computer.
If you opt for the layout service, Stone Masters then takes a picture of your exact slab(s) and uploads them, along with your measurement to another program called Slab Smith. On one side of the screen you fill see your counter pieces, and on the other your slab(s). Production will bring up a suggested layout for you to begin working with. You can choose to accept the suggested layout, or move the pieces around to create your own layout. You can see in the photo below what a completed layout looks like.
Does every stone need it?
To be perfectly frank, the answer to that question is no. I strongly recommend it to those you are selected a stones with heavy movement, and color variance. There are two main reasons to opt for the layout service, grain matching and design location.
When I say grain matching I am referring to how the stones pattern flows through the seam. Stones with repetitive patterns that are tight don’t apply. Below are some examples of stones that I would not recommend the layout. We can play with their layout all day and the result won’t much change.
No matter how the stone is laid out, the pattern will essential be identical on both sides of the seam. This is an example of a seam in a stone with repetitive, tight pattern.
Now these stones, I would highly recommend doing the layout. The pattern is not consistent.
Second reason for the layout is design location. Let’s say you see slab that has a spot that you HAVE TO HAVE LOCATED ON YOUR ISLAND!! In order to be sure that specific spots falls in the location you wish, you need the layout. Or, say there is something in the slab you wish to avoid; digital slab layout is the way to go.