A Simple Guide to the Kitchen Countertop Fabrication Process

A new stylish countertop can either be the finishing touch to a complete kitchen remodel or the only change you need to upgrade this space.
In either case it will be the focal point of your kitchen, so it is vital that it is installed properly.
Countertop fabrication is a highly technical procedure that requires accuracy and specialized techniques and tools. Therefore, an expert is needed to make sure that this process is completed seamlessly – both figuratively and literally!
Are you looking for the best countertop fabricators in Canada? The experts at MaxSpace Stone Works offer custom stone solutions. We use top-quality stone products for both commercial and residential projects. We are with you at every step, from selecting materials and colours through fabrication and installation.
In this post, we discuss in detail how the countertop fabrication process works.
Let’s begin.

How the Kitchen Countertop Fabrication Process Works

Here is a step-by-step guide on the kitchen countertop fabrication process.

Inspection of the Stone Slab
The first step is to inspect the selected slabs. For example, a natural stone may have certain characteristics such as black spots, pits, or dry seams. If the customer does not like them, the fabricators need to mark those areas and avoid them when fabricating the stone.

Laying Out the Slabs
After the slab is thoroughly inspected, it’s time to decide on its placement and direction in regard to the room’s colours and lighting. Make sure that your kitchen layout complements your chosen stone’s natural ‘low lights’ and ‘highlights’ to maximize your countertop’s beauty.

Cutting the Stone
The next step is to cut the stone to fit your template. This cutting is done using a bridge saw or water jet.
A bridge saw cuts with the help of a diamond segmented blade at the feed rate of nearly seven feet every minute. (Feed rate is defined as the velocity at which the cutter is being fed or advanced against the object being worked on.)
A water jet cuts with water at very high pressure; with garnet particles suspended in this water. This cutting is done at the feed rate of one foot every minute. A water jet can cut radiuses, circles, and other complicated patterns; a bridge saw cuts straight lines.
Once the stone pieces are cut from the slab, they are then taken to a CNC (computer numerical control) machine by using a vacuum lifting system. The stone pieces are fabricated on this specialized machine.

Fabricating the Stone
The next step is to cut out the stone to roughly 1/16 of one inch of the final size. Once this is done, the CNC machine is programmed to find the size of the stone. You can keep multiple pieces of stone and then work on all of them collectively. Then, the machine is programmed to know where the stones should be placed and what exactly to do to these pieces. A trained operator and high-quality machine that is programmed with precise dimensions does the job flawlessly.

Stone Polishing
When a natural stone like granite reaches the fabricator, the slab’s face is already being polished. The fabricator only needs to polish the edge. Industry standard is to use diamond polishing pads with increasing grit from 50 to 3000 in order to polish this edge.

Sealing the Stone
It is vital to seal the finished countertop before installing. For example, a natural stone like granite is highly resistant to moisture, and this capacity to resist moisture is further increased by applying a single coat of sealer. Moreover, the edges and face of the stone are properly sealed at this step.

Installation
The next step is installation. Once the countertop pieces are properly laid down, a high-quality resin will be mixed to hold all the countertop pieces together. Once this is done, a special pigment is added so it matches the colour of the countertop stone. Then it is kept to be dried. If this is not done, the seams may stand out which will dampen your countertop’s beauty.
To ensure that the seams are at the right level, the installers may lay out tiny stone blocks on the countertop during the drying process. A tiny clamp is used to hold these stone pieces tightly. Then the second layer of resin is applied.
The next step is to use a polishing machine to make these seams almost invisible.
After that, holes for the faucet are drilled and the sink is installed. If the measurements are precise, the sink will fit right in place. The final step is to properly fasten the faucet and sink to the kitchen countertop.

Upgrading your kitchen countertop is a big investment that enhances the value of your home. But it is no DIY task. So, to experience a smooth and quick countertop fabrication process, contact us. Our experienced stone fabricators will construct a high-quality stone countertop at competitive pricing. Read our reviews to find out how our customers rate our services and products.