How to obtain your granite worktops
Summary:
- Everything to be fixed in position prior to templating, and nothing to be moved afterwards.
- All sinks and appliances on site at time of templating.
- The customer needs to be on site at time of templating.
- The surface of the granite is not necessarily like glass.
Granite is a natural stone formed millions of years ago. Polished granite is the ultimate worktop for your kitchen, and County Granite & Marble aim to give you the best possible service.
You may post, email, or come to our showroom with a plan or sketch of the kitchen, giving the main dimensions and indicating positions of your sinks, hobs, drainers grooves etc. If you decide to visit us you can also view the large slabs of granite on display.
We will provide you with a quotation (without obligation) based on one or more types of granite. This can include the cost of templating and installation.
Once the quotation is accepted, we will then be able to book your dates for templating and installation. We will also be able to show you the particular slabs of granite for your approval.
Once the kitchen units have been finished, we will be able to carry out the templating process.
CUSTOMERS: IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT TEMPLATING
Every kitchen is different, and granite is not easy to modify on site. It is therefore vital that accurate templates are produced so that we can fit the work tops without delay.
The process of templating is actually two-fold. First we need to determine the exact position and shape of the worktops. We have recently introduced a system whereby the kitchen is mapped electronically using a laptop and a probe. The second part of the templating is to gather all the other information required to produce the worktops. This can include the colour of granite, the position of appliances, sinks, drainer grooves etc.
It is very important that the customer is present for this second stage, as they will be asked to sign a form confirming these details. It is also necessary that all appliancesare on site at the time of templating, or at least that all dimensions and templates are available.
If you do not have all appliances available by the templating date, you will need to contact us.
- The kitchen base units should all be in place, fitted, level and secure. Nothing should be moved after templating.
- Tiling and boxing should be fitted after installation
- We do not participate in any electrical or plumbing work. If required you will need to contact the appropriate tradesman after the worktops are fitted.
- The recommended thickness of granite is 30mm. (20mm is also available, plus a very limited range of 40mm.)
As a general rule, all sinks, taps, hobs and appliances (e.g. free-standing ranges) should be on site at the time of templating. Please do advise us if this is not the case!
Hobs
- It is usually sufficient to have a cut out size (or template) showing the centre-point or line of its position.
Sinks
- Inset sinks: we need a template and exact position (e.g. centre point)
- Belfast sinks: these should be fixed in their final position before templating.
Undermounted sinks
- Our preferred option is cradling. This involves supporting the rim of the bowl in MDF. This work should be carried out by your kitchen fitter prior to templating. We will need to take away the cardboard template supplied with the sink.
Taps
- We will need to establish the size, position of holes for the taps, pop-up wastes and soap dispensers.
Free standing range
- Where the granite butts up to a free-standing cooker, these will either need to be in position or we will need to have the exact sizes.
Replacement of existing worktops
If we are simply replacing, like for like, it is usually possible to template the kitchen with the existing tops in position. However, any modifications to the kitchen must be carried out prior to templating.
Customers should also note the following:
- Before we can fit the kitchen, sinks (apart from Belfast or undermounted), taps and hobs etc, should be removed and the units checked for level.
- As long as the worktops are loosened, we can remove them.
- It may not be possible to fit new worktops without disturbing existing tiles. Granite worktops are 30mm thick, but laminated worktops are 40mm. (You should consider retiling or having a granite upstand.)
- We cannot accept responsibility for any damage to existing tiling
- It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that there is a level base for us to fit the tops to.
- It will be necessary for hobs and taps, etc, to be reconnected by others after completion.
Joins
Most kitchens require joins in the granite. This is achieved by bonding them together with a special waterproof adhesive. Bearing in mind the feasibility of transportation and fitting of large pieces of granite, we use as few joins as is practically possible. Unless specified we assume that the customer will leave this part of the process to our professional judgment.
Fitting
Our own fitting teams carry out the installation of the granite tops. We endeavour to complete the work in a day. However, it may take slightly longer, especially if upstands need to be fitted.
Occasionally it is necessary to make modifications to one or more pieces, in which case we usually do the adjustments back at our premises. This is to ensure you are getting the best bespoke service possible, and we therefore politely request that you give us the space to complete the job efficiently.
After fitting, the fitters will put a coat of protective sealer over the worktops. You will also receive a customer care kit. We recommend that you apply another two coats of sealer.
About granite
Granite contains a mixture of minerals including feldspar, quartz and mica, the combination of which gives it its variety in appearance. All over the world, it is mined out of the ground in large blocks, which are then cut into “slabs” of around 2.5 to 3 metres long. They are then polished on one side (face) by abrading with six grades of diamond polishing wheels. Granite is slightly porous and this helps to close the pores.
It is important to understand that the surface of granite, though highly polished, is not quite like glass. It may naturally contain tiny flaws or fissures, some of which are filled in the polishing process. The customer is welcome to inspect the slabs in our yard and run their hands over them. Most have a few of these tiny imperfections in them.
We are able to supply the black granite in a honed finish. Because this makes the granite more porous, we do not recommend honed granite, marble or limestone in kitchens. If the customer decides to use them, it is important to seal these materials well.
Templating for granite worktops
In order to take the templates for new worktops, it is important that the customer cooperate fully with the templating guidelines.
If existing kitchen worktops are still in place, with inset sinksetc, both must be removed and plumbing adjusted before the template can be carried out.
Templating is carried out in three stages:
1. A plan is made of the kitchen and the exact measurements are recorded
2. Details are recorded - overhang, radii and the placing of inset sinks/hobs/grooves etc. The customer will be asked to contribute theirthoughts on these, and to bring up any other issues they wish to discuss with the templater.
3. A computeriserdigitiser is used to accurately plot the walls, and figure the exact position of your where your granite is to be fitted.
When all the above have been completed, the templater will prepare the confirmation sheet and go through all the details with you. At this point he will ask you to sign to say that you understand the details regarding your new worktops.
Unless otherwise arranged a deposit of 75% of the amount stated on the quote will be asked for at this time.
Conditions for templating
* All other tradesmen (e.g. carpenters; painters) should vacate the kitchen or templating area.
* All noise pollution (e.g. site radio; building noise) should be kept to a minimum.
* All cookers, Aga's, and undermounted sinks (Belfaste/Franke) need to be in place prior to the template fitting. Failure to comply may result in a second visit to the site, at extra cost.
Thank you, and enjoy the new worktops.
County Granite and Marble.