At Stone Fabricators, we believe our craftsmanship sets us apart. From the selection of the stone slab all the way through installation, each step is handled with precision, expertise, and care. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we cut, shape, and polish stone, and why working with a premier fabricator in St. Louis matters.
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Selecting the Right Stone
Before any tools fire up, the journey begins with selecting premium materials. Whether it’s granite, marble, quartzite or engineered stone, we consider: color and veining, slab size and thickness, durability (especially for kitchens and high-use areas), and suitability for edge profiles or custom details.
Why this matters: Natural stone can vary significantly. Flaws like fissures, weak veining, and/or inconsistent quality create challenges later on.
At Stone Fabricators, we inspect slabs carefully to avoid surprises while templating, cutting, and polishing.
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Templating & Measuring
Accurate measurements are essential. We visit your site to capture precise dimensions, of your cabinets, walls, cut-outs (sinks, cooktops, faucets), and any special shapes present in the area. This is achieved using the most up-to-date laser templating technology and CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. These digital templates ensure the slab we cut will fit perfectly once installed.
This step allows us to minimize material waste, ensure joints and seams are aligned, and envision any special edge profiles or detailing before the slab enters the shop.
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Cutting the Stone
Once the slab arrives and templates are ready, the cutting begins. Here’s a breakdown:
- Shop cutting: At our shop we use high-precision machinery to cut the stone slab to the required dimensions. This may include bridge saws and saw jets for curves and complex shapes.
- Holes & cut-outs: We cut openings for sinks, faucets, cooktops, etc., using CNC machines, ensuring proper radius and accuracy.
Key benefits: Precision cuts ensure tight seams and modern machinery allows for complex shapes (curves, radius edges) that weren’t feasible in older methods.
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Shaping & Edge Profiling
After the slab is cut to size and openings are made, we move to shaping the edges and any decorative profiles.
Using CNC routers and manual finishing, we define profiles such as eased edge, bevel, ogee, bullnose, laminated edges, etc.
Edge work adds aesthetic value and can impact the stone’s usability (e.g., drip edges, laminated overhangs). Our team ensures the edge transitions are smooth, consistent, and match the visual vision of your project.
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Polishing & Surface Finishes
This is the final stage where the stone’s beauty is fully realized. We polish both the surface and edges of the stone. The process involves:
- Grinding/removing tool marks: Using coarser diamond pads to remove saw marks or irregularities.
- Honing and special finishes (if required): A matte or satin finish may be specified instead of high gloss.
- High-gloss polish: Fine diamond pads (1,500 grit+, sometimes up to 3,000 grit or more) produce a mirror-like surface, especially for marble and high-end granite.
- Edge polish: The edges receive the same finish and are seamlessly matched to the top surface. Any seams are cleaned, filled, and polished.
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Quality Control & Installation
At Stone Fabricators, we don’t consider the job done until every piece meets our exacting standards. Before delivery:
- Pieces are checked for dimensional accuracy, edge profile conformity, and polish uniformity.
- Seams are inspected to ensure only the best-matched slabs and orientations are used.
- Onsite install: Our team finalizes the job, securing the proper support, adhesion, sealing, and finishing touches.
Why this matters: Poor fabrication or installation can lead to chips, undermined structural integrity, visible seams, or inferior finish over time.
Why Choose Stone Fabricators in St. Louis?
Cutting, shaping and polishing stone is both an art and a science. The tools, the material, the craftsmanship — they all matter. At Stone Fabricators in St. Louis, we craft stone pieces that look beautiful, fit perfectly, and last for years.
Furthermore, here are a few reasons our clients trust us:
- Local expertise: Being in St. Louis means we understand regional design trends, stone availability, and installation conditions.
- State-of-the-art equipment & experienced craftsmen: The combination of modern CNC, saw-jets, and hands-on expertise ensures speed and quality.
- End-to-end service: From stone selection to installation, we manage the process so homeowners and designers don’t have to coordinate disparate vendors.
- Commitment to quality & durability: We treat each countertop, fireplace surround, or custom stone piece as a long-term investment in your home.
Contact Stone Fabricators Today
If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, bathroom upgrade, feature wall or custom stonework, contact Stone Fabricators today. We’d be happy to show you how we turn raw slabs into beautifully finished stone masterpieces.
