matching stone slabs

Many granite and marble slabs have large-scale movement that is best seen when the pattern matches the seams. Large countertop areas in kitchens and bathrooms often require multiple pieces. On small projects where the surfaces can be cut from the same slab, it is easier to continue the pattern at the seams. When a project is so large that it requires multiple slabs, additional planning is necessary to match the pattern. When installing granite and marble countertops, it’s important to consider the natural movement of the slabs.

There are certain limitations when designing with stone slabs. Natural stone is squared into manageable sizes measuring approximately nine feet tall by five feet wide. The slabs are sliced ​​like bread and numbered in sequential order. It is important to keep the slabs in order to match the pattern of grain movement from one slab to the next. This allows the fabricator to customize a work according to the natural pattern of the stone. Special care is taken in planning where each piece of stone will end up on the countertop or shower wall, taking into account natural movement. Since stone slabs are limited in size, matching the grain can raise the value of a project based on the craftsmanship it requires.

When movement in the stone continues from one piece to the next in the same direction, it is called “pattern matching”. A more skillful and complicated form of combination is called a “book combination”, where the move is mirrored between two or more pieces. This method can be applied to a flat surface, such as a countertop or vertical wall, creating a bold statement. The book combination looks even more impressive when a horizontal surface meets a vertical surface, like a backsplash or bathtub cover. For example, when the grain on the face of a bathtub mirrors the grain on the top surface, the tub deck appears to have been cut from a solid block of stone. The extra preparation and planning is tremendous. Sometimes a large project, such as a master bath that includes a book-matching shower, countertops, and tub deck, may require a special order where you can take up to six slabs and some need to be turned with the back polished. With the popularity of book matching, many fabricators have equipped themselves with the necessary tools to be able to polish the back of a slab in the shop.

Granite and marble slabs can also be cut into large tiles to match floor patterns. This can be done on a small project, like a kitchen, or a large commercial project, like a hotel lobby. Since book match stone requires such careful planning and fabrication, it is known to be one of the most elegant and sophisticated ways to install granite and marble slabs.