Cut, Polish, and Install: How Natural Stone Surfaces Are Crafted

Natural stone surfaces offer customized finishes that elevate spaces when expertly cut, polished, and installed. In this blog, we will explain how natural stone surfaces are crafted to achieve that high-end finish.

Natural Stone Fabrication: Choices

It all begins with the right selection from a carefully curated collection of natural stone slabs. Each stone offers a distinct look created by a millennia of environmental influences. The one-of-a-kind nuances of each slab range from pronounced striations and marbling to subtle movement and high-contrast speckling to a more refined neutrality.

Colours are blended and distinct from whites and greys, ranging from sophisticated but dramatic deep charcoal and black to hints of blue, green, and pink, to rich, warm browns and creamy beiges. The type of rock formation creates the natural markings that make stone surfaces unique.

Igneous rocks such as granite and basalt are formed by lava, while sedimentary formations such as limestone and Travertine are formed by layers of various deposits. Metamorphic formations such as marble and quartzite develop their unique patterns when heat and pressure alter the stone's structure and appearance.

Natural Stone Fabrication: Stone Cutting

Stone cutting begins at the quarry, where large chunks are mined. A more refined cutting follows once the order is placed and the stone slab is sized and customized.

Initial Stone Cuts

Stone can be mined using cross-cuts to create larger, more varied swatches and colour variations or vein-cuts to expose the naturally occurring patterns and layers.

Sawn vs. Riven Stone

Sawn stone achieves a clean finish with smooth edges using specialty tools such as diamond or wire cutters. Riven stone creates a rough surface using the natural fault lines in the stone to split pieces apart. Slate is more fragile, making it an excellent choice for riven stone surfaces.

The process creates a naturally textured surface for a more organic appearance, ideal for walls or floors. Sawn stone’s smooth surface is suited to countertops where function is important, full slab applications such as shower stalls, and for a more refined look.

Sizing and Customization

Every surface is cut to size based on your exact specifications. Whether it is a full slab applied to shower stalls or kitchen walls, or specialty cutouts for sinks, faucets, or pop-up kitchen vents, stone cutting is a precision craft requiring careful measurements.

Installers work closely with designers to ensure a smooth integration of every detail and capture the look and feel you envisioned. They take precision measurements to create accurate templates for a flawless fit. Even slight miscalculations can lead to disastrous results and increase the risk of irreparably damaging your one-of-a-kind slab.

Stone cutting by seasoned professionals ensures your prized slab is protected and the detailed measurements are error-free. Laser cutting helps improve sizing using advanced laser-scanning technology.

Profile

The profile is the edge design applied during counter fabrication. The profiles vary from modern square edges to bullnoses, and detailed ogee edges to bevelled edges.

Inspection

The stone is thoroughly cleaned and inspected for imperfections to ensure accurate measurements. Flaws are addressed, and measurements are adjusted as needed to ensure the finished product arrives at your home in pristine condition.

Natural Stone Fabrication: Polishing

Stone polishing enhances the stone slab’s appearance using various tools and techniques. You can also fine-tune the finish to deepen the stone's rich tones or achieve a more subtle look. Some considerations when choosing a stone finish include the following:

Gloss vs. Matte

Gloss finishes are achieved using a polishing method, while matte finishes require a honing process. Honing smooths the stone without creating a high sheen. While high gloss has been the preferred finish for the past few decades, matte finishes are becoming more popular for both modern designs and more rustic-leaning spaces.

Matte is especially attractive for a softer, more modern look in casual settings, creating a warmer, inviting space. Matte finishes also appeal to homeowners who want easier-care materials so they can spend less time cleaning. Less gloss means less noticeable blemishes, scratches, smudges, and fingerprints, so homeowners aren’t constantly wiping their counters. That said, high-gloss finishes continue to dominate spaces with a more sophisticated aesthetic.

Stone Texturing

Texturing, such as leathering, is also becoming popular, introducing intentional imperfections such as dimpling and pits. The texture creates a worn, aged look that lends itself well to rustic spaces, while also reducing the appearance of imperfections over time. Acid washes can also be applied to create different textures. Keep in mind that textured finishes are less suitable for food prep areas, where bacteria and germs can get trapped in the fissures.

Colour Depth

The finish applied also impacts the depth of colour in natural stone. A high-gloss finish intensifies colour for a bolder look, while a matte finish softens colours for a more subtle look.

Natural Stone Fabrication: Installation

Once the stone is cut, it is delivered to your home for installation using the following steps:

• Removal: The installers remove your existing counters and clear them from the site.
• Preparation: The surface is inspected to ensure it is level and stable to support the stone installation. The installers will make any required adjustments before attempting the “dry fit.”
• Dry fitting: The dry fitting confirms that the counter fits. The installers carefully slide the counter into place and check the alignment to avoid issues once the surface is permanently affixed. Adjustments are made to walls and/or cabinets/vanities to perfect the alignment as needed.
• Installation: With everything prepped, a super-strong, construction-grade adhesive is applied during the natural stone installation process, and mechanical fasteners are used to secure the stone surface.
• Joints: If the surface requires joints, they are sealed with special filler to create a seamless finish.
• Completion: The counters are cleaned, and final adjustments are made.

Contact the Experts at Quartz Co Surfaces

Natural stone surfaces follow an intense journey before they arrive in your space. Crafting natural stone surfaces is an art that requires years of experience, precise measurements, advanced technology, and coordination between designers and artisans. Quartz Co Surfaces has perfected our stone surface process to ensure unmatched results.

Quartz Co Surfaces is the go-to provider for luxurious natural stone interior design. For more information, book an in-person or virtual consultation or visit one of our showrooms near you.