Most Read
Most E-mailed
Print ArticleEDGE DETAILS AND
SEAMS
• Edge detail of countertop has been discussed and agreed upon.
• Edge detail at sink opening has been discussed and agreed upon.
• Edge detail of backsplash has been discussed and agreed upon.
• Seams are placed based on the size of the slab and the layout of the cabinets. Seams
will be discussed and a drawing of these seams will be attached to the document and signed
by the customer.
BACKSPLASH
• Backsplash height has been discussed and agreed upon.
• All electrical outlets have been roughed in and checked by owner.
• Door or window casings are clear of slab installation, or a drawing of the slab-to-casing
transition to be supplied at time of measurement.
FIXTURES AND APPLIANCES
• All appliances are installed, or currently present at jobsite so that transitions
with the slab can be determined and correct measurements can be taken. (Some range tops may
need to be removed before installation.)
• Hood is currently installed or a line as to finish of splash has been marked by the
contractor or owner.
• All fixtures intruding upon the slab (i.e., faucet, drinking fountain, air switch,
soap dispensers, etc.) are available for measurement, or a guaranteed measurement is provided.
The positions of all holes have been drilled through the rough top.
I would recommend that a checklist such as this one be presented to the customer so they are prepared for you when you show up for templating. This will not only save you a return trip, but will also make the templating process easier, as well as ensure having the proper template for the fabrication process.
TAKE THE GUESS WORK OUT OF FABRICATION
How many times have you taken a template and it has notes written all over it, such as “add
1⁄8 in. here,” or “polish here,” or even worse notes that you can
hardly read? I preach the following when it comes to templating: Make the template exactly
the size of the stone. This includes overhangs, returns, etc. By constructing the template
to the exact size of the stone, you take all the guess work out.
About the author: Fred Hueston is a worldwide expert on stone installation, failures, fabrication and restoration. He is the founder of The National Training Center for Stone and Masonry Trades (ntc-stone.com) and Stone University (stoneuniversity.org). He can be reached at fhueston@aol.com.
