Workmanship Standards and Tolerances
Stone countertops add beauty and functionality to your kitchen or bathroom.
While their installation requires precision and attention to detail to ensure a perfect fit, this tolerance guide will help you understand the key aspects of stone countertop installation and the acceptable tolerances for various measurements.
Quick Reference Tolerances
See detailed tolerances for each of these installations or measurement types below.
| Workmanship Standard | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| Overall Dimensions | 1/8″ (+/- 1/16″) |
| Gaps | 1/8″ (+/- 1/16″) |
| Cabinets | Varies depending on cabinet run straightness |
| Waterfall Panels (from stone to panel) | 1/8″ (+/- 1/16″) |
| Waterfall Panels (from stone to floor) | 1/8″ (+/- 1/16″) |
| Sink Cutouts | 1/8″ (+/- 1/16″) |
| Standard Backsplash height (must be consistent) | 1/8″ (+/- 1/16″) |
| Full Height Backsplash gaps | 1/4″ (+/- 1/16″) |
| Seams | 1/16″ (+/- 1/16″) |
| Appliances | Cut to fit while still concealing cutout |
| Edge Profiles | Aesthetic acceptability |
| Vein Matching | Varies |
| Flatness and Level | Dependent on cabinet level or wall plumb |
- All dimensional tolerances located on the blueprint have a working tolerance of +/- 1/8 inch
- Areas between stone surfaces and walls, panels, hearths, floors, concrete, or stone surfaces will have a gap that will be visible to ensure a good fit and for ease of installation to avoid damage to existing structures. If you have a backsplash that will be installed over this area the gap can be hidden or significantly minimized. All gaps are filled with high-quality silicone that goes well with the overall aesthetics of the countertop. The gap from stone to wall tolerance is 1/8 inch +/- 1/16in
- Gaps from stone to wall or panel alone have a working tolerance of 1/8” +/- 1/16in
- Overhangs will follow the line of the front of the cabinet run. We make our best effort to maintain the dimensions called out on the blueprint. However, the straightness of the face of the cabinets can result in overhangs that exceed or do not meet the dimensional callout on the print. For visual aesthetics, we aim to be as straight and consistent as possible. If the cabinets are severely out of straightness the overhang will vary throughout the cabinet run.
- Seam Placement: In cases where seams are necessary due to the size of the countertop or the configuration of the space, the seam should be located strategically to minimize its visibility. A well-installed seam should have tight joints with no gaps.
- Seam Width: The width of the seam should be 1/16” +/- 1/16in Installers use epoxy and colored fillers to make seams less noticeable.
- The height of the backsplash should be consistent and have a working tolerance of 1/8 inch +/- 1/16in
- Small Backsplashes cannot be scribed to follow differing heights (4 - 8”) during the template process. If the height of a running backsplash needs to vary in height per client request it will require an additional template process to be completed after installation of the main countertop, which may be an additional cost and require a separate installation.
- Full height backsplashes gap from stone to ceiling, hanging cabinet, wall or panel have a tolerance of 1/8 inch +/- 1/16in
- Sink Cutout: The sink cutout should typically roughly follow the shape of the sink dimensions. We typically allow for a minimal gap for expansion and contraction, typically 1/8 inch +/- 1/16in
- Appliance Cutouts will be cut using manufacturer specifications of the specific model selected. This cutout size may be altered to make the installation possible while still ensuring that the cutout profile is concealed by the appliance.
- Edge Thickness: Stone countertops come in various thicknesses (e.g., 3/4 inch or 1 1/4 inch). We will ensure the material thickness is consistent between individual pieces that are part of the same area.
- Edge Detail: Edge profiles, like bullnose, bevel, or ogee, should be accurately shaped and finished. There is no specific tolerance for edge types, but we aim for an overall pleasing visual result while maintaining the functionality of the countertop where the risk of chipping is minimized.
- While we aim to create a countertop with veins that are matched between seams and differing areas, vein matching is dependent on the number of slabs allocated to the job, the nesting of individual pieces, and the selection by the cutting technician.
- To ensure that vein matching is to the client’s liking, it is highly recommended to purchase a Digital Layout for approval purposes. It is important to keep in mind that even with a digital layout the vein match can vary slightly due to stretching of the images and the manual projection of the layout onto the stone surface. A Digital Layout is the most reliable method for vein matching is done per the tastes of the end user.
