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Everlasting Surfaces Blog
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Things YOU NEED to know about PRE-Fab Slabs
Saturday, November 28, 2009
You are considering doing kitchen countertops. You shop around and see that there are 2 ways you can do your countertops. One way is you select a full slab of granite, you get a custom fabricator to custom cut the slab according to the demensions of your kitchen, shape the edge the way you want it shaped and make the backsplash the height you want it to be.
Another way, which people think is way cheaper, and it is, but we will explain why in a second, is to purchase pre-fab slabs. Pre-fab slabs already come cut down to 8ft lengths, they are usually 30" wide and already have a 1 1/2" Bullnose or a 1 1/2" Ogee Bullnose edge on them.Now considering the cost of the pre-fab slabs, and what an awesome deal you think you are getting, you are really spending money for only 2 - 3 years of usable countertops. Now, your awesome deal, just became your worst nightmare, here is why:
1. Pre-fab slabs are usually commercial grade slabs (not residential grade) that get cut in other countries such as Brazil, Italy, India, etc. These slabs are shipped to China. China, cuts down the slabs to 8ft runs, puts a bullnose edge on the slabs, then ships them to the United States, and sells them for $150 - $350 per slab. Seems like too much work and shipping for such little money right, well keep reading.
2. When a custom fabricator laminates your edges, we use epoxy to laminate the edges of the stone. This ensures a tight seam and that your edges will not pop off after a few years. Pre-fab slabs are laminated using polyesters instead of epoxy. Why is this a problem??
3. A custom fabricator polishes up the edges using 5 - 7 different polishing pads to ensure you get the same polish that was produced in the quarries. Pre-fab slabs are only polished using 1 - 2 polishing pads, then they spray a ton of resin on the slabs to give you the illusion that the slabs are indeed shinnier than the raw slabs a custom fabricator works with. Now why is this a problem??
4. Resin and polyester produce a negative chemical reaction when joined together. Although this chemical reaction does not happen quickly, it takes a couple of years to fully penetrate and literally make your edges on the pre-fab slabs just pop right off and fall apart. Here's something else you don't know
5. The lighting in your home breaks down the resin in your pre-fab slabs. In a couple of months or a year, your edges will start becoming dull because the resin they sprayed on the slab begins breaking down and thus leaving you with a dull countertop surface that no one will be willing to come out to your home and bring back the shine.
6. Let's say you're thinking of installing pre-fab slabs because you are going to sell your home. Well, I don't know about your state, but here in California, people are sue happy, and you will have to disclose to the buyers of your home that you had pre-fab slabs installed in the home. That way when their edges start falling off in 2 - 3 years, they can't come back and sue you for installing an inferior product.
7. Contractors State License Board requires sub contractors to provide you with a one year warranty against craftsmanship and installation. Pre-fab companies are usually changing their company names or going out of business, so when you have a problem, it's no longer their problem.
We hope we gave you something to think about before you purchase your slabs. Remember, Custom fabrication is the best way to go. You know what you are getting, and a good custom fabricator stands behind their work.
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