At Surrey Marble and Granite, we don’t just supply stone – we manufacture bespoke kitchen counter tops, bathroom surfaces, marble fittings for super yachts and night clubs, and many other pieces. All this work takes place right here in our Surrey workshop. Here are a few behind-the-scenes views, in case you’ve been wondering how your stone goes from quarry to kitchen.
Receiving deliveries of stone
Shipments are constantly coming in from around the world. Natural stones like limestone, marble and granite, are found in many countries. Different geographical areas produce stones with different colours, patterns and other qualities. That’s why even the Romans imported marble to Britain, while also using local stone and exporting it.
Checking the slabs
The stone we use has already been cut into large slabs, which makes it easier to view the unique patterning. This is essential if we’re going to create a good match across several pieces, and also makes the stone easier to work with. Each slab is checked to ensure the quality meets our high standards.
Cutting and shaping
Before we cut the stone, our team goes out to create an exact template of the space we’re trying to fill. Whether we’re working around the odd corners and nooks of a yacht, creating a show piece marble worktop for a business or fitting an ordinary kitchen, we need to cut with millimetre precision. Once the slab has been cut, it can’t be joined back together but if it’s left too big it won’t fit. With 15 years of experience, we’ve turned this fine art into a reliable process.
Creating the perfect finish
Slabs typically arrive with a rough finish in place, but it won’t be the one the customer has chosen. Part of our templating calculations ensure that the finish we use is accounted for. Our sophisticated machines help us add a wide range of finishes to our products. As a result, we could cut two marble worktops from the same slab, finish them in different ways, and you might not even spot the resemblance. Choices include the classic highly polished look, as well as a rougher, country kitchen style. There are also numerous options for edges and corners, all of which are created by our skilled workers.
Sealing the stone
Some stones, particularly relatively delicate natural stones like marble and limestone, are easier to use and care for if they’ve been sealed. As an example, an unsealed marble worktop may absorb stains from food preparation or be marked by mild acids like lemon juice or vinegar. A sealed counter top will be even more resistant to damage. They’re also more hygienic, as there’s nowhere for particles, germs or stains to lodge.
Delivery and fitting
The final step in the workshop is to package the newly finished piece for delivery. We typically do fitting work ourselves but are also marble and granite suppliers to tradespeople around the UK. While stone is incredibly tough, it’s also heavy and can be cracked or damaged by impact so proper transport is essential. Our workshop team wave the stone off, knowing their job is well done.
