Glossary of Granite Fabrication Terms

Granite - An igneous rock composed chiefly of feldspars and quartz, usually with one or more other minerals. It is relatively hard and dense, and will polish to a high gloss. An excellent choice for kitchen countertops, floors, and other heavily used surfaces. Granite, quarried from the mountains of Italy, the U.S., India, and dozens of other countries around the world, is one of the most popular natural stones on the market. Available in a striking array of colors, granite's durability and longevity make it ideal for kitchen countertops and other heavily used surfaces, including table tops and floors.

Limestone - Any stone consisting wholly or mostly from calcium carbonate.

Travertine - A form of limestone deposited by hot springs.

Marble - A metamorphic rock composed of limestone in a more or less crystalline state. It is capable of being polished to a gloss. Marble is found in the mountainous regions of Canada, Italy, Germany, Spain, the U.S., and other countries worldwide. Because of its beauty and elegance, marble is a popular choice for countertops, floors, foyers, fireplace facings and hearths, walls, and windowsills.

Slate - A fine-grained rock that tends to split along parallel cleavage planes. Slate is relatively soft and porous

Onyx - A microcrystalline variety of quartz, usually having parallel lines of color.

Engineered Stone - A man-made substance of crushed quartz and polymer binders used to emulate natural stone. Sold under many labels, such as Silestone, Cambria, Ceaserstone, etc.

Rodding - The process of embedding steel with epoxy to the bottom side of stone to increase strength in relatively weak areas, such as sink and stove front & back rails.

Sealing - The process of using a clear solvent-based product to protect the stone from oil and water based stains, while allowing it to breathe.

Impregnating - The technical term for sealing.

Profiling - Edge detail applied to the stone.

Templating - The process of making a full-size mock up, or duplication of your surface to be made out of granite/marble.

Under mount Sink - A sink that physically mounts to the bottom side of the natural/engineered stone. Alternative to under-mount is a lip-mount sink, customarily found with laminate tops.

French Miter - The practice of making a seam that splits the angle of the inside corner to the depth of the profile, then shoots straight to the back perpendicular to the stone.

Impregnators: Impregnators are designed to penetrate below the surface of the stone and deposit solid particles in the pores of the stone or to coat the individual minerals below the surface of the stone. Water, oil and dirt are restricted from entering the stone.

Sealers: See Impregnators

Silestone Natural Quartz surfacing contains 93% natural quartz and therefore is susceptible to slight variations in shade and particulate distribution. Silestone® Quartz Gemstone