Templating Solid Surface – The Purpose of Taking a Template forSolid Surface Fabrication
Templating Solid Surface is an essential part of the fabrication process, as accuracy and attention to detail can make all the difference. Even the smallest variation can affect the final fit, and that’s where templates play a vital role.
At BSF Solid Surfaces Ltd, templates, and templating Solid Surface, plays a crucial role in ensuring that every design detail, joint, and curve is captured accurately before fabrication begins. Whether you’re creating a bespoke vanity top, reception desk, or wash trough, templates are the link between design intent and a perfectly finished installation.
What Is a Template?
A template is a full-size plan of the work surface that represents the exact shape and dimensions of the finished product, taking into consideration bowl cut outs, hob cut outs, column casings, upstands, edge details and any other features that need to be given consideration at fabrication stage.
Templates can be made from MDF, plastic sheet, or digital files (for CNC production), depending on the project and how the surface will be installed. They act as a physical or digital reference for our fabricators, ensuring every piece is cut and assembled to match site conditions.
It is crucial that all joinery carcasses etc are fixed into position prior to a site survey / template being taken, as this can have a significant impact, on the finished item/s if they are moved subsequently to templates being taken.
Why Templates Matter
Solid Surface materials such as Corian®, HIMACS®, and Staron® are highly precise and stable, but like all materials, they have tolerances and can expand or contract slightly with temperature and humidity changes.
It’s impossible for any installation to be truly millimetre-perfect across an entire project, especially where walls are uneven or joinery interfaces vary. That’s why templates are so important. They help to identify and accommodate these small tolerances before fabrication begins, saving time and preventing rework later on.
Templates help to:
Allow for expansion and contraction: Templates account for this movement so seams and joints remain clean and stress-free.
Ensure accuracy on site: Templates highlight irregularities in walls, cabinetry, and fixtures, helping us adjust the final cut to achieve the best possible fit.
Save time and cost: Identifying discrepancies early prevents delays and avoids unnecessary re-fabrication.
Improve communication: They provide a clear, visual guide for everyone involved, from project managers to clients and installers.
Maintain quality control: Each finished item is checked against its template to confirm that it meets our exacting BSF standards.
The BSF Process
Once your order is placed, our project management team arranges a site survey if required. Using this information, we produce detailed working drawings and, where appropriate, create a full-size template.
Before fabrication begins, we ask you to review and sign off the drawings or template. This ensures that dimensions, overhangs, cut-outs, and edge details are all approved and understood. Once confirmed, the template becomes the guide for cutting, shaping, and assembling your Solid Surface piece in our workshop.
You can learn more about our process and project journey here:
➡️ Project Management Process
➡️ Operations and Procedures
From Template to Installation
Once fabrication is complete, every finished piece is re-checked against its original template to ensure accuracy within acceptable tolerance levels. It’s then carefully wrapped, labelled, and prepared for delivery or installation. If anything incorrect slips through the net, because sometimes mistakes happen, we always do our upmost to rectify in a timely manner.
We document every stage with photographs and records, part of our quality assurance system that ensures consistency, transparency, and peace of mind for our clients.
Why It Benefits You
Templates give you confidence. They bridge the gap between design and real-world conditions, accounting for natural tolerances and subtle variations that occur during installation.
The result? A seamless, precise, and beautifully finished Solid Surface piece.
At BSF Solid Surfaces, we’ve spent over 25 years refining this process to ensure every project runs smoothly from concept to completion. Templates aren’t just an extra step, they’re an essential part of creating work that fits beautifully and lasts.
Learn more:
Or book a free CPD session with our team to learn more about design, tolerances, and the technical side of working with Solid Surface.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nicola Barden is the Managing Director of BSF Solid Surfaces Ltd, with 26 years of experience under her belt. She is also a wife, mother to her autistic son, and has three crazy cats and one loopy dog. She enjoys training at the gym, dancing, reading, nature walks and being out and about.
Solid Surface materials revolutionize hospitality design with seamless, aesthetic transitions, enhancing user experience and aligning with modern eco-friendly trends.
Need help with a project? Contact us for more details.
