Our Process: Getting To Know Your Granite

Selecting Your Stone

• Hand Selecting

• Hand Selection is available at our location, as we stock several stones.

• Hand Selection is also available at one of our suppliers in Jefferson City, St. Louis, or Kansas City if hand selection is not made at our location.

• Selecting your stone from another source (tile, samples, internet, ect.)

• If stone selection is not made by hand selection, we will bring in the stone selected or use slabs that are available from our inventory.

• A typical slab will average 115” x 65”. If your counter tops exceed these limits, a seam will be necessary.

• At this time, your custom edge profile will also be selected.

Templating Your Cabinets

• Templating is the first step in preparing for your new counter tops. This is the process of making an exact replica of your counter tops.

• If the project is part of new construction, then the cabinets must be set in place for us to template.

• If the project is a remodel, the old counter tops do not need to be removed before we template.

• At the time of template, all sinks, faucets, and cook tops, as well as any other appliances that will need special accommodations, will need to be at the jobsite.

• The computerized templates are then taken back to the shop to be programmed and then the fabrication process begins.

• We encourage customers to visit the shop to place any islands or special counter tops within the slabs to ensure the best possible features are captured in your counter tops, this is available through our Slab Smith program, thus allowing the capability to see what your counter tops will look like before we begin the fabrication process.

Fabrication of Your Counter Tops

• This part of the process will take place at our location. The slabs selected for your project will be cut to fit your cabinets. The chosen edge profile will be applied and the cutout for your selected sink will be made.

• If the counter tops exceed the selected slab measurements, a seam will be placed within your counter tops.

• If a seam is required, the customer will be able to work with the template to select the least obvious spot for the seam.

• A seam will be able to be seen, but camouflaged with colored epoxy to help conceal its location.

• A seam will be no wider than an 1/8” and may be minimally felt when rubbing over the surface of your counter tops.

Installation of Your Counter Tops

• Installation will be no later than 2 weeks from the template date. Special accommodations for a quicker installation can be made for special circumstances.

• If your project is a remodel, it would be beneficial for items to be removed from the cabinets.

• At the time of installation, all counter tops and backsplashes will be installed, with the exception of full height backsplashes and backsplashes under a raised bar. These must be measured after the installation of the counter tops.

• Installation of your sink will also take place at this time. The plumbing may be affixed 24 hours later.

• If full height backsplashes or backsplashes under a raised bar are selected, they will be installed exactly one week later. Again, special accommodations can be made.

• After the installation is complete, Carved In Stone will seal your natural stone counter tops.

Care and Maintenance of Your Natural Stone Counter Tops

• As with any natural products, granite is a porus material that may be stained by foreign substances. It is recommended that natural stone counter tops be resealed once a year. The lighter, more porous stones may require resealing more often than the darker, denser stones.

• Granite is the most scratch resistant counter top in the industry today. You no longer need cutting boards to protect your counter tops when preparing dinner.

• Recommended everyday cleaner is warm water and dish soap. A natural stone cleaner is recommended for a weekly cleaning. Harsh abrasives and window cleaners are not recommended cleaners for natural stone.

• Carved In Stone carries products for resealing and cleaning your beautiful new counter tops. They may be purchased at our location or by calling the office. We also provide the yearly resealing service and a 15 year warranty sealer. Please contact the office if you are in need of any of our “after installation” services.

• If at any time you should have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office, one of our knowledgeable staff members will be able to assist you in any way possible.