How Natural Stone Slabs Are Split: Turning One Slab into two. Splitting a natural stone slab, like a 3/4″ thick piece of granite, marble, or quartzite, into two thinner slabs is a specialized process used in the stone industry to create thinner, lighter pieces for applications like countertops, wall cladding, or tiles. This process involves cutting the slab along its thickness (the 3/4″ plane) to produce two slabs, each roughly half the original thickness. Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:
stone slab splitting honeycomb
The process starts with scoring the edges of the slabs to be split before the stone proceeds to the diamond wire above.
Slab splitting with honeycomb backing reduces the weight as much as 80%. This allows stone to be used in areas where light weight materials are required, cladding, elevator lobbies, etc. Slabs can be cut as thin as 1/4″.
Split slab panels are impervious to moisture penetration, which can cause mold and mildew; a real problem with typical masonry construction.
The panels are earthquake resistant, thanks to their ability to flex without breaking.
