The Slab Selection Process…
When it comes to remodeling a kitchen, most customers are excited when it comes to selecting granite for their countertops…And why not? Granite is one of the most beautiful materials available for countertops, and comes in literally hundreds of colors, each with it’s own unique characteristics.
While the selection process can be fun, it is important to keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Price—Not all granites are priced the same. Most fabricators offer various pricing categories, with some granites that are priced indiviually. Make sure you check with your fabricator for specific color pricing. Most suppliers do not give pricing information, and should direct pricing questions to the remodeler, builder, or specific fabricator.
- Size—Slab sizes can vary from color to color and lot to lot. If you select a specific slab, keep in mind that you may need more than 1, depending on the size of your job. Large islands can not always be fabricated from the slab you may like. Make sure you consider not only the color, but the size to meet your specific needs.
- Thickness—Material thickness can vary from slab to slab. Industry standards for slab thickness are 3 cm +/-3mm, (or 1-3/16″ +/-1/8″). At PGC, we do not accept slabs thinner than the standard from suppliers, unless approved by the end customer.
- Consistency or Flow—While some granites are consistent in the overall look, others are not and may have a great deal of movement, flow, or veining. If you are looking for consistency, make sure you like what you see in the slab before the fabrication process begins. If you choose a granite with a lot of flow, make sure to talk with your fabricator if you want a certain part of the slab in certain part of your kitchen. Keep in mind that it is not always possible, but at PGC, we always try to achieve the specific look you like.
- Markings—Some granites contain various markings, which can be seen to some as imperfections, and to others– beauty marks. If you don’t like a certain mark, talk to the fabricator. If you do like a certain mark, again talk to the fabricator. Most fabricators will try to accomodate your requests, although they are not always possible.
- Lighting—Keep in mind that the lighting may be different in your home, than where you selecting your slabs. You may want to request a sample to bring home to see how the color works with the lighting in your home.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Granite on July 14th, 2009 by Barb | | 0 Comments
