Metropolitan has its own countertop fabrication shop, located at our Norwood, Massachusetts headquarters. Equipped with the latest fabrication machinery, our shop is one of the most advanced stone facilities in New England. Our countertop fabrication process is professional, streamlined and collaborative with clients.
Our processes abide to the highest quality standards, consistently exceeding customers’ expectations. Metropolitan’s stone team consists of designers, customer service employees and the fabrication team, enabling us to guide clients through the entire fabrication process. Let us walk you through the 5 step process of stone countertop fabrication.
Our Countertop Fabrication Process
Step 1: Choosing the Stone Material
The first step in the countertop fabrication process is choosing the stone. At Metropolitan we have a large in-stock inventory of stone to choose from, which can be viewed in person at our stone showroom in Norwood, Massachusetts.
Clients can choose from variety of colors and materials, including quartz, granite, marble, quartzite and soapstone. Our inventory is constantly being updated to reflect current trends and consumer demands.
Our dedicated stone specialists walk each client through the stone showroom, explaining the different properties of each stone type and helping to determine which stone is best for each specific project.
Step 2: Getting the Countertop Measurements
Once the countertop material has been chosen, Metropolitan will schedule a stone countertop template at the project site. The template is an exact replica of the project’s surface. Metropolitan does templates for all of our stone projects, which include countertops, fireplace surrounds, bathroom tub surrounds and more.
At this on-site meeting, the templater can answer questions about the fabrication process, and will review details such as corner radius preference and seam placement.
Step 3: Countertop Layout
After the template has been made, clients come to our stone showroom in Norwood, MA to go over the layout with the Metropolitan stone team. At this meeting, clients are able to see exactly how the countertop will look. Metropolitan’s expert stone team goes over every detail during the layout and can answer any questions that arise. The team will also discuss the stone cutting process, and clients can even check out our fabrication shop! We make sure all details are covered so that there are no surprises at the job site.
Step 4: Stone Fabrication
Once the layout is approved, the stone is then put into production and the countertop fabrication begins. Metropolitan uses state-of-the-art machinery to cut each piece.
Our fully automated stone fabrication facility consists of the latest technology and computer-driven machinery, including:
CNC machinery: Machine tool with computer number controlled for stone machining and accuracy
Saw/Water Jets: A high-pressure waterjet cuts materials in a variety of thicknesses with extremely high precision
Bridge saws: This saw runs on a bridge or beam to ensure professional and quality cut
Slabsmith™ Layout Technology: This software produces digitized slabs that are highly accurate and detailed
All stone pieces are hand-finished and hand-polished in the shop for stunning final results.
Step 5: Stone Countertop Installation
Metropolitan has a team of professional installers who install each stone project. We do not sub out work. Our installers are continually praised by homeowners and trade partners for their expertise and thoughtfulness.
Our installation team is insured which is important to know. Installations can take up to several hours for a kitchen countertop installation, or a whole day for a project with several rooms.
Ready For New Counters?
Metropolitan’s stone team provides incredible customer service, walking customers through each step of the process.
From selection to layout and installation, each member of our stone team is committed to delivering an excellent experience and ensuring quality control. Contact our stone specialists for your next kitchen project, bathroom countertop or fireplace surround.
Common Questions
Stone Fabrication
So How Long Does it Take to Fabricate a Countertop?
The entire stone fabrication timeline will vary from project to project. It will be anywhere from 2-5 weeks. How busy the fabrication shop is and the level of difficulty of the project can impact the fabrication timing. At Metropolitan we strive to make the process as smooth as possible, therefore due to our level of thoroughness, we do not rush jobs.
What Does Metropolitan Fabricate?
Metropolitan fabricates stone for so many different spaces, including:
Kitchen countertops and full height backsplashes
Bathroom vanity countertops
Shower pieces, including jams, niches and thresholds
Bathtub surrounds
Fireplace surrounds
What Is a Stone Fabricator?
A stone fabricator is a company that specializes in cutting stone, for kitchen and bathroom countertops, fireplace surrounds, office reception desks and more, as well as installation of countertops. Metropolitan operates its own fully automated state-of-the-art stone fabrication facility in Norwood, Massachusetts that consists of the latest technology and machinery.
Metropolitan fabricates many different types of stone, including natural stones like marble, granite and soapstone, as well as man-made quartz from all major brands, including Cosentino, LG, Cambria and more.
What is a Stone Vendor?
A stone vendor stocks and purchases stone slabs that are then sold to stone fabricators to be cut. Stone vendors stock a wide variety of natural stones, including marbles, soapstone, large format porcelain, and engineered stones. Metropolitan purchases stone slabs from many accredited Massachusetts stone vendors, including Marble & Granite, Leamar, CBS Stone and Boston Granite Exchange.
Is Metropolitan a Stone Fabricator or Stone Vendor?
Metropolitan is both! We stock hundreds of slabs as a convenience for our clients and fabricate, too. We do all our own stone installation, as well. Since we are a stone fabricator in Massachusetts, we are able to sell the leftover “remnant stone” pieces to our clients for a discounted price.
What are Stone Fabrication Costs?
Fabricators charge for the measuring (template), material, fabrication (cutting and shaping) as well as the installation. These costs will always vary depending on the size and scope of the job. Material costs will vary, and prices will vary within each stone. There’s expensive and inexpensive marble, granite, quartzite, quartz and soapstone. Metropolitan provides competitive costs.
Who Can Buy from a Stone Fabricator?
Contractors, carpenters, architects and designers all use stone fabricators for their construction projects. Homeowners can purchase directly from a stone fabricator if they don’t need any carpentry work done to the space, and only stone is being replaced.