SFA: What's the Answer?
Quartzite Translucence and Resin Backing
GiorFJ Free Member
I have noted that the translucence of an installed quartzite slab is much higher in areas in which there is no back resin, mesh, or other coating. Obviously there is the issue of stone structure and integrity, but should the backing be removed for quartzite that is to be backlit?
Dave.Scott Premium Member
The short answer is that it can; BUT, without touching the slab in question, I cannot rule out natural occlusions that are not light-transmissible. David Scott At large Warrenton, Ore. "What we leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, what is woven into the lives of others" - Pericles
GiorFJ Free Member
Thanks a ton for answering and for your input! The slab is Taj Mahal, with a lot of clear crystal-like areas, and was going to be backlit on a kitchen island using Slablite panels. The fabricator said quartzite is hard to cut, but essentially 'breaks' easily through fissures and thus should always have mesh and resin backing. There's no question that in areas in which there is no mesh and resin there is very good translucency and light transmission in this slab. Conversely, the backing (which is glossy like plastic, along with embedded mesh) blocks light transmission. It seems that not all fabricators are very confident or experienced with quartzite and it's hard to know who to listen to. I can't imagine that people who spend a lot of money for Cristallo are going to want resin and mesh blocking the translucency. Thoughts?
tim farr Premium Member
Sounds like you’ve got your mind made up so go for it. Don’t take an experienced professionals word for it. Tim Farr Stoneworks of Augusta Inc. Augusta, Ga.
Dave.Scott Premium Member
Tim's right on the money. An experienced fabricator will work to give you what you are looking for. Taj and Cristallo already come with a high price just for the material, get a fabricator who is confident and has good references. You are correct, Taj will have dark areas regardless of the resin backing. Removing the backing can be done, but expectations need to be realistic, be sure to have an extra slab available as well.
GiorFJ Free Member
It's not a question of not taking an experienced professional's word for it. I'm a physician, and I always encourage second opinions - because no one is right all the time. That's why I came here. To get more opinions, and I thank you for them. Just to put it into perspective, we are nearing the end of a long period (over a year) of refinishing our home after flood damage. At one point the people doing the wood floors left oil-stained rags in bags up against our garage, which led to spontaneous combustion and for our attached garage and the room above it to start on fire. If it wasn't for a neighbor noticing it, we would have lost the entire house. So I am a bit nervous about trusting anyone without asking a few questions. Thanks!
Dave.Scott Premium Member
Please, no offense intended. I know there are fabricators out there that can deliver for you. I just wanted to say that while it is doable, the process increases the risk of material failure. (Please note that slab stone is not structural.) This increased risk is due to the decision to make the slab as light-transmissible as possible. And being aware of that risk, one must weigh the decision to weaken the slab for the desired outcome when Taj is not completely clear and the fabricator doesn't know the internal structure of the slab until they start working it. The decision to proceed is yours, and therefore, you share in the risk that the slab may not make it to/through installation. I personally have been down this path before and it’s important to keep expectations in line.
tim farr Premium Member
We would be a hard pass on that. Risk does not outweigh reward.
GiorFJ Free Member
Thank you both for educating me on this. Just wondering, the granite that we’ve had has only a thin layer of mesh with large cells. The backing is not opaque. The backing on the Taj Mahal is with small cell mesh and opaque ‘plastic like’ resin/backing. I was led to believe that quartzite is harder than granite, so why does it require a denser backing? Could it be the quality of the particular slab? Thanks again, sincerely.
Dave.Scott Premium Member
As hardness increases pliability decreases. This does not take into account other properties of the stone. True quartzite is fully recrystallized silica or sand. When this metamorphic process occurs, many impurities that do not "burn off" in the heat and pressure form layers that can lead to invisible fissures; uneven cooling also adds fissures-- please remember that slab stone is NOT structural. This is why the slab processors face-resin and back-resin with fiberglass. They do this not to protect you or the slab fabricator but rather, to protect themselves. Tim is a fantastic fabricator and a wonderful human, I have known him for years. We have both been burned trying to please clients and give them what they want; please understand that these are hard lessons to learn. Prior to retiring, we had a client who demanded that we remove ALL resin backing from all quartzite whether it was being back-lit or not. We would charge them for 2x the number of slabs needed for the job up front, on top of our regular 50% down at signing, to protect us from this kind of loss. After install. we refunded 50% of the cost of any unused FULL slabs. If you approach your fabricator with eyes wide open I am certain you will find a fabricator willing to work with you as long as they are comfortable with the allocation of risk. Thank you too for engaging with us "Stoners" I pray you find a satisfactory outcome, whatever that ends up being. Peace.