Stone countertop templating: how to get your kitchen ready

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A stone countertop can only be cut once. Unlike wood or laminate, you can't plane down a granite countertop that's a little too long, or add a piece to a quartz countertop that's too short. That's why templating is the most important step of the project. Done right, it leads to a countertop that fits your walls and cabinets perfectly. Here's how to get ready.

When should you call for templating?

The golden rule: the cabinets must be installed, secured and level. We measure the countertop on the real cabinets, not on a drawing. A cabinet maker's plan is useful for the quote, but once you're in the room, walls are never perfectly straight and corners never perfectly square.

You can still call us well before, as soon as your project takes shape. We can prepare the quote from your plans and choose the stone together, then schedule templating for when the cabinets are in place.

What to decide before the visit

The sink

The exact sink model determines the shape of the cut-out. For an undermount sink, we need the sink itself or its template. Have it on site or have its spec sheet handy.

The cooktop and faucet

Same thing for a built-in cooktop: its model and cut-out dimensions. For the faucet, we need to know how many holes are required (faucet, sprayer, soap dispenser, disposal button) and where they go.

The backsplash

Do you want a stone backsplash? A small strip or a full-height backsplash? This decision changes the measurements and the amount of stone.

Edge profile and overhang

The edge (straight, bevelled, rounded…) and how far the countertop overhangs the stools of an island must be decided before cutting. For an eating area, think about the room your knees will need.

Getting the room ready

• Clear the tops of the cabinets and the way into the kitchen.
• If an old countertop is still in place, let us know: we'll explain how to handle its removal.
• Make sure the appliances that touch the countertop (range, dishwasher) are chosen, even if they haven't been delivered.
• Plan to be there: a few decisions are made on site, such as the exact position of the seams.

How the visit works

During the visit, we record every wall, corner and cabinet. We check that the cabinets are level and note the cut-outs. If the countertop needs more than one piece, we discuss the seam locations with you: we try to place them where they'll be least visible, given the slab dimensions.

For a natural stone like granite or quartzite, it's also the right time to talk about how the veins and patterns will fall on the countertop.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Calling before the cabinets are fixed in place: if a cabinet moves after templating, the countertop may no longer fit.
• Changing the sink after the visit: the cut-out is made for one specific model. A different sink can mean a cut-out that's too big or too small.
• Forgetting the appliances: a range or dishwasher with unusual dimensions changes the openings and the overhangs.
• Leaving the backsplash for later without saying so: a full-height stone backsplash is measured at the same time as the countertop.

If anything changes after templating, call us right away: it's much simpler to adjust a plan than a slab that has already been cut.

After templating: fabrication and installation

Once the measurements are taken, the countertop is fabricated: cutting the slab, cut-outs and edge polishing. The timeline depends on the stone and the time of year; we confirm it with your quote. On installation day, we set the countertop, do the seams, mount the sink and clean up.

Before installation day, make sure the plumbing for the sink is ready to be connected and that the space around the cabinets is clear. The stone arrives in large, heavy pieces, so a clear path from the door to the kitchen makes the job safer and faster. If you have pets or young children, plan to keep them out of the room while we work.

A tip: wait until the countertop is installed before having a ceramic backsplash put in, if you're planning one. That way the tiler works from the real height of the stone.

Ready for templating?

Comptoirs de granites DB takes care of everything: templating, fabrication and installation of quartz, granite and quartzite countertops in the Eastern Townships and nearby regions. Request your free quote or call 819-446-3501.