Why are some seams noticeable and some nearly invisible? Three different factors affect how invisible or how noticeable a stone countertop’s seam appears.
1) Width of Seam
2.) Grain Match
3) Glue color match.
Width of Seam
It might look like “fat seams” are not touching each other and the glue is simply filling the gap. Actually what has happened is the top edge that is fractured or missing large grain particles that are being filled in. The two halves are touching each other and can’t get any closer. Different stones will produce different width seams. Fine grain stones loose very little grain in the top edge and large grain stones loose lager grains in the cutting process The stone itself causes this variable not the machine, blade, or tool preparing it. We have developed a proprietary technique of progressively slow sanding at higher grits and lower pressure to produce a crisper edge.
Grain Match
Stones with little to no variation or a tight pattern do not have this issue as much as widely patterned stones do. Our optional digital slab layout offers clients a hi-resolution photographic system to align a seam in their individual slab imposed on their templated layout. Allowing them to actually see the finished product before it is even cut! Coupled with premium book matched slabs and our proprietary seam prep we can consistently produce the tightest and least visible seam in the industry.
Glue Color Match
Tighter seams show less glue. The challenge is not creating a glue color, but is balancing the variety of colors in a wild varied stone into one glue that works the entire length of the seam. Allowing the customer to participate and approve the glue color BEFORE it goes into the seam is key, as “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. A tighter seam with less visible glue minimizes the visual impact of the glue in the first place! Solution! We always invite customers to participate in the glue creation process before it is applied to the seam