Fabricators of Natural Stone

3cm Stone
10850 SW Leveton
Tualatin, OR 97062
(503) 626-5150

Q. Why choose granite slab countertops?
A. Granite is nature's ideal material for countertops.  It is one of the hardest naturally occurring materials in the earth's crust, and when polished, results in a beautiful and durable surface resistant to the abrasion, staining, and heat of a typical kitchen.

Q. How can you tell if you've spent your money wisely?
A. Because the purchase retains its value and is worth what you paid for it.  Granite countertops will last for decades and will keep looking good as new with minimal care.  As part of your home they become an asset, like money in the bank.

Q. What's the difference between a good and bad installation?
A. Two ingredients make good installations possible: good tools and good skills.  Modern tools like computer controlled edging machines produce precise edges beyond the human capacity to reproduce.  Human experience and care are essential for subjective tasks like vein matching at seams.  A fabricator has both the machinery and skill to ensure quality in all aspects of your installation.

Q. What about flaws in granite?
A. Granite is a product of nature and contains natural features and variations which can make your counters truly unique.  Variations in shading, inclusions, and fissures are some of the naturally occuring features.  These might be considered "Mother Nature's beauty marks", enduring expressions of the earth's creativity.  You may want to design around such feautures, or avoid them.

Q. What is engineered stone?
A. Engineered stone is a man-made combination of durable, naturally occurring quartz and synthetic binders formulated specifically for the application and demands of kitchen countertops.  Some people are attracted to the uniformity that these materials possess, combined with the heat and abrasion resistance of quartz.  If you perceive natural variations as flaws, then enigneered stone may be for you.

Q. I've seen lots of different edges.  How do I choose?
A. Many different profiles can be carved into stone counters with beautiful results.  One aspect to bear in mind is the compatibility of the various edges in a complete countertop.  For example, a bullnose edge corresponds well with a demi bullnose sink opening and a demi bullnose finished edge on backsplash.  Other good combinations are possible and attractive.

Q. Do I need to know seam locations before installation?
A. Most countertops require seams at various points due to the limits of slab size, site access and fit.  We will advise you of the most advantageous seam placements.

Q. Why is vein matching important?
A. Because a job that is thoroughly vein matched will be more pleasing to look at.  Stone should be vein matched throughout an entire kitchen, including matching backsplash to the countertops, matching on all laminated edges, as well as matching countertop seams.  All stone has a direction, whether subtle or pronounced, and it should run one direction throughout a room.

Q. What should a seam look like?
A. An observer should see matching color on both sides of the seam.  This means that colors match as much as possible along the entire length of the seam, and that veins are aligned to one another.

Q. What should a laminated edge look like?
A. To a typical observer the lamination should not be readily apparent.  There should be vein coordination between the slab and laminate, and no unusual color differences between the stone and adhesive.  There should be no chips or voids in the lamination line.

Q. What is the transition line?
A. The transition line is formed where the edge detail meets the countertop surface.  This line should be absolutely straight and true, with no wavering whatsoever.  A true transition line is produced by using the best machinery and maintaining attention to detail.

When comparing prices, you are choosing the level of quality!