Slabstock

Slabstock refers to inventory consisting of large, flat slabs of natural or engineered stone that are produced and stored for fabrication into countertops, tiles, or architectural elements. The term distinguishes slabs from other form factors such as blocks or small tiles and is used by quarries, distributors, and fabricators.

Most slab stock falls into two broad categories: natural stone slabs (e.g., granite, marble, quartzite, limestone, sandstone, travertine) and engineered or composite slabs (commonly quartz surfaces). Slabs are generally cut to standard thicknesses of about 2 cm (3/4 in) or 3 cm (1 1/4 in) for countertops, with typical widths ranging roughly 60 to 180 cm and lengths that can exceed 250 cm. Some suppliers also offer thicker slabs for tolerance and custom projects.

Stone slabs are produced by quarrying and processing plants, where blocks are saw-cut into slabs, calibrated for uniform thickness, and finished with polishing or honing. Engineered slabs are manufactured from crushed rock bound with resin. Slab stock is stored in inventory yards or on racks, often cataloged by color/pattern, thickness, dimensions, and batch or lot numbers to support pattern continuity and quality control.

Fabricators select slab stock to fabricate countertops, cladding, and large-format surfaces. Critical considerations include color consistency, vein or grain matching at edges, seaming, and edge profiles. Slab stock markets are sensitive to quarry supply, export restrictions, and transportation logistics.