Matching Stone Slabs

Many granite and marble slabs have a 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 is important to consider the natural movement of the slabs.

There are certain limitations when designing with stone slabs. The 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 the grain movement from one slab to the next. This allows the fabricator to customize a work according to the natural pattern of the stone. Careful attention is paid when planning where each piece of stone will end up on the countertop or shower wall, keeping natural movement in mind. Since stone slabs are limited in size, matching the veins 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 “book combination”, where the movement is reflected between two or more pieces. This method can be applied to a flat surface, such as a counter or a vertical wall, creating a bold statement. The book combination looks even more impressive when a horizontal surface meets a vertical surface, such as a backsplash or bathtub cover. For example, when the veining on the face of a bathtub mirrors the veining on the top surface, the bathtub top 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 surround, may require a special order where it can take up to six slabs and some need to be flipped with the back polished. With the popularity of the book combination, 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 bookbinding 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.