I cannot tell a lie, I like 3cm over 2cm. That’s not to say you can’t get a good job with 2cm stone but on a personal note, where possible, I prefer to use 3cm stone.

There are a number of very good reasons to look at 3cm stone as superior to 2cm. For one thing it’s more stable to work with. Ask most fabricators and they’ll agree. Working on the thicker 3cm stone is easier and safer. The slabs are less prone to cracking and edge curling. Also when you are using the thin 2cm stone plywood is requried as a sub-base to the counter. It is a rare occurence that you would use plywood with a 3cm installation. No plywood means no need to double up the nosing to hide the plywood edge. This means no seam on a visible edge. Finally and maybe just as importantly I just like the look of the thicker stone, especially if you are using an under-mount sink. To me the beefier look of 3cm stone adds something to the over-all look of the counter.

Now you can do very nice work with 2cm stone, in fact most vanities are done with this format. However, if you going to use 2cm stone with a 4cm edge ask to look at samples of finished edges. You want the seem to be as invisible as possible or pick an edge that uses the seem in the design of the edge, for example a stepped nosing. If possible choose a stone that is solid with no or very few fissures. Nero Assolutto, Uba Tuba or Tropic Brown are good examples.

So if you can think about 3cm. I like it and I think you’ll like it too.

Ok so, you’ve chosen your stone, put your money down and confirmed everything. The stone or quartz counter that you’ve dreamed about is going to be templated next week, then manufactured and installed a couple of weeks later. Hooray, all the hard work is done. Now you can lay back, show up when it’s all done cut the check and enjoy your new purchase.

Not so fast chum. You, that same person who will be paying for this piece of stone that will transform your kitchen or bathroom needs to be present when the templater arrives and when the counters are installed.

A lot of happens when the templates are done. Always confirm with the templater where the seams are going. Seams are a necessary item but you should know where they are going and if they can be moved you should have some input. You may have already discussed this in the showroom when you chose the stone but an on-site review is important. Also double check and confirm the sink type, it’s location, the taps and associated tapholes. Can the spout spin freely without touching an overhang or a window sill? Is there enough room in the cabinets for the sink you’ve chosen.? Are the tap holes going to be so large that there will be a problem with the sink install?

Very seldom do drawings and the “real” world line up perfectly. Things may have changed when the cabinets were installed. The walls maybe slightly off and the cabinet installer had to add a filler or maybe the back of the stone has to be “scribed” . Maybe the floors aren’t level and the cabinet heights need tobe adjusted. Maybe the cabinet installer placed the island cabinets a couple of inches over from where it was shown on the drawing and now that wonderful overhang on the island will interfere with the fridge door. Any of these items or a number of others can result in a change or alteration to the counters and you need to confirm the changes.

Finally, when the counters are installed go through the same thing again. Be there! Don’t assume anything because if something has changed you will be aware of it and you can make a decision on the spot. Even ff everything does go as planned you will be there to sign off on the final product. The last thing you or the fabricator wants is a problem so help out and be on site.