1.2 CM - 1/2" synthetic marble used to line showers or cover walls, where strength and thickness is not as important.​

2 CM - Two centimeter thickness = .8", or "three-quarter inch". Good for vanities. Only slightly  cheaper than 3 CM.

3 CM - Three centimeter slab thickness = 1.2", often said "inch and a quarter". First choice in kitchen countertops.

Bonding - Installation of undermounted sinks or double-thick countertop edges with high-strength epoxy mixes.

Corbels - L-shaped or flat iron brackets on 8"+ overhangs to avoid stress cracks.

Dimension Stone - Stone quarried into blocks for end-use, like stone-counter slabs.

Drop-In - Sink mounted on a counter from the top. Flange all around it covers the edges of a rough-cut hole.

Edging - Counter edges are shaped with various profiles of diamond grinding-bits.

Engineered - Synthetically created countertops, different from those found in nature.

Fab - Labor to transport slabs, template patterns, cut to size, grind edge profiles, cut and drill holes, polish and seal.

Granite - Hard, natural, igneous rock, made of quartz, mica, feldspar. Quarried from mountains around the world.

Granite Backsplashes - 4" rear-counter risers, normally done on vanities, but rarely in kitchens anymore (Think tile!).

Honed/Brushed/Leathered - Most slabs are polished, but honed = matte, brushed = bumpy, leathered = bumpier.

Laminate - Thin plastic, veneered to layers of pressed-board. The most common name is Formica.

Lead-Time - Days/weeks from the time Clients choose their material to installation of a job.

LF - Linear foot/feet. Also called RF or running feet. Straight-line distance, as opposed to SF.

Marble - A natural limestone, crystalized as calcite & dolomite. MUCH softer than other stones.​

Mohs Scale - 1-10 hardness scale; Friedrich Mohs, 1822. Diamonds 10, granite/quartzite are 8 or 9, quartz 6-8, marble 4.

Polishing - Wet-sanding with multiple grades of abrasives to create a smooth and shiny countertop surface.

Quarry - Deep excavation to get raw-stone to the surface.​

Quartz - Material man-made from silicon-dioxide poly-resins under pressure. Much higher cost than natural stones!​
 
Quartzite - Metamorphic sandstone baked by tectonic heat-pressure in the earth’s crust. Priciest  stone material.
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Remnants (fall-off) - Slab pieces left after fabrication. Under 2x2 ft are normally discarded.

Rodding - Insertion of tubular rods (stainless, fiberglass) sometimes used to strengthen certain counter areas.

Sandstone - Natural stone equal in hardness to granite. Very porous. Hard to find, and needs specialized sealants.​

Seal - Application of a chemical countertop-sealant to further increase the spill resistance.

SF (Square Feet) - Width x depth (wall to front edge), in inches, divided by 144 = SF. 

Sink-Setters - Brace-brackets used to add more strength to an under-mount kitchen sink.

Slabs - Flat pieces of natural or synthetic stone, quarried or molded to about 100-140" wide and 60-82" high.​

Soapstone - Natural stone. High talc content. Fractures easily. Frequent oiling needed to maintain the original look.
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Solid Surface - Resin-based counters; can look like stone. Common names are Corian, Wilsonart, and Swanstone.
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Template - Final drawing of cabinets, sometimes using paper or foam strips, to create a counter-cutting layout.

Under-mount - Sink installed beneath a counter, bonded in place. Finished-stone edges overlap 1/4" into the bowl.
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Vessel - Sink that sits entirely on top of the counter. The top is not hole-cut, just drilled for the faucet and drain holes.