Countertop Template: What It Is, Why It is Important, and How to Prepare
East Coast Granite of Wilmington - October 26, 2023
New countertops are the most important and largest investment of the kitchen remodeling process. They can radically transform any space and add significant value to your home. However, before your countertops are installed, you must go through the templating process. Here is a guide that will go through the countertop template process including what it is, why it is important, and how to prepare for your template appointment.
What is Templating?
Templating is the process of creating a template that has the exact measurements of your countertop. Without a template, the fabricator cannot accurately manufacture your countertop.
How Can You Prepare for Your Template Appointment?
There are a few things you will need to do before your template appointment:
- Make sure your cabinets are level and secure
- Make sure all appliances are on site
- Remove any objects on and around your countertops
- Locate your water cut off valve before the technicians arrive
- Set up a temporary workspace and prepare meals ahead of time
- Ensure an adult over the age of 18 will be present to make decisions
How is Templating Done?
On the day of your appointment, a skilled technician will arrive and remove any existing countertops to take the measurements of your cabinets. There are two options countertop fabricators use to create a template: the stick method and the digital method. The stick method entails using plastic material and hot glue or acetone to create a template. This gives the fabricator a physical outline to place on a slab and cut out your countertop. The digital method involves using a high-intensity laser that records the dimensions and sends information to a computer. At the fabrication facility, a technician adds any overhands and cutouts, the template is laid out, and the stone is cut. We use the stick method because it allows our experienced technicians to quickly customize the template on-site and add any pertinent details that the customer desires.
| HOW COUNTERTOP TEMPLATES ARE CREATED STEP-BY-STEP | |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | A technician arrives to take measurements |
| Step 2 | They remove the existing countertop to measure the cabinets |
| Step 3 | A physical template is created using plastic material and hot glue or acetone |
| Step 4 | Any pertinent details such as overhangs, cut-outs, or customizations on the template |
| Step 5 | The template will be laid out on the slab. Our customers can choose where to place the template depending on which material you choose. |
| Step 6 | Lastly, the stone is cut out using the specific measurements of your countertop |
Can You Make a Countertop Template on Your Own?
For stone countertops, you must have a professional complete the templating and installation process. Having an experienced professional complete the job will ensure accuracy, which is particularly important in such a large investment. If the measurements are even a fraction incorrect, it can cause issues with your project.
What Happens Next?
After the templating process is complete, you can set up an appointment to select where to place the template on the slab. Then the stone will be cut to reflect the exact measurements drafted during the template appointment. Lastly, you can set up a day for our team to deliver and install your new countertops.
Stone countertops can add visual appeal, increase the functionality of your space, and add value to your home. If you have any questions, please consult our team of experts or another design professional. We have everything you need from countertops to cabinets. With over 15 years of experience, we’ve mastered multiple kitchen styles. When you’re ready to design the kitchen of your dreams, contact us for a free in-home estimate!
