Dekton is an engineered stone worktop made from quartz, porcelain and glass. It is highly durable with excellent scratch, stain and heat resistance.
You may be wondering how to cut a Dekton worktop.
Dekton’s strength requires powerful specialist tools during fabrication, fitting and installation. These tools can cause undue surface stress and damage leading to cracks on the ultra-compact slabs.
In this guide, we will explore how to cut a Dekton worktop, including some tips for preserving the appearance of this quality material.
Can I cut a Dekton Worktop Myself?
Unlike laminate worktops, Dekton is an ultra-compact engineered stone surface that requires professional handling.
As well as having the right tools, it is essential to have an understanding of how a Dekton worktop will respond to the pressure it encounters during the cutting process.
Cutting Dekton is not a job for a DIY enthusiast. It is better to use a professional such as Mr Kitchen Worktop Fitter.
A professional will ensure they have all the recommended equipment and the expertise to use the correct techniques to preserve the integrity of the worktop.
Handling and Moving of Dekton
Before cutting a Dekton worktop, you should consider how it is transported and handled. It is easy to cause permanent damage during transportation.
Failure to follow specified techniques can cause marring to the surface. Always remember the following guidelines from Cosentino:
- Cover the safety supports
- Protect A-Frames and preferably choose adequate supportive work tables
- Clips can be used for up to two slabs
- Use protective clips
- Use Slings for transportation
Recommended Equipment for Cutting Dekton Worktops
Due to its density, Dekton can only be cut using powerful machinery cooled by water.
You will require the following:
- Bridge saws
- Edge-polishing machines
- Personal Protective Equipment
It would be best if you looked for suppliers of tools that Cosentino has approved.
Cutting should be carried out with machinery that has a cement or sandstone bed. For smaller pieces of Dekton, we recommend fixing them to the cutting bed to prevent any movement.
It is best to use water-cooled tools when working with Dekton to prevent the slabs and tools from getting too hot. Overheated tools yield inferior results.
Ensure that you use a solid work table rather than an A-Frame to provide sufficient support to the slabs. It should be thoroughly checked, cleaned and kept in good condition.
Cosentino has provided a list of approved blades for cutting Dekton.
It is also recommended to use a frequency converter to alter the rpm and lower the speed.
The straight-cut parameters provided by Dekton are available here.
How to Cut a Dekton Worktop
Before cutting, ensure the cutting bed is clean and debris removed. Dirt and debris will affect the cleanness of cuts and could cause damage to the Dekton worktop.
Next, remove the protective plastic coating from the slab.
For the warranty, it is best to keep the label that details the batch number and put this with the order documents.
You should always clean the rear of the slab to remove debris that could create an uneven surface.
The slab must be placed evenly on the cutting table. Any unevenness may lead to vibrations that can put excess stress on the slab and cause permanent damage.
Now you can begin the cutting process:
- Dekton requires a higher RPM and slower feed rate than other materials, such as granite or quartz.
- Using as much water as possible is vital when cutting Dekton. We suggest turning the water to maximum and directing it right into the cut.
- Trim a minimum of 1.5cm from each slab length to release internal stress.
- Whilst cutting, reduce the feed rate to 30% when the cutting head is less than 200mm from any edge.
- Return the feed rate to 100% when more than 200mm from the edge.
- For manual cutouts, cut the long edges before the shorter ones.
- Avoid plunge cutting and always start from an outside edge.
Other tips for cutting and fitting Dekton include:
- Not fixing ceramic hobs with silicone
- Do Use 35mm diamond drill bits
- Avoid cross cuts
- Choose a minimum of 5mm radius at the corners
Cosentino has provided parameters for cutting at a 45° angle.
Instructions for Dekton Edge Polishing
The following recommendations will ensure that you achieve an excellent result.
- Use a polished finish feed speed of 0.6 m/min From 1.8 to 2.2 bar
- Use a mitre joint feed speed of 0.2 m/min
- Always protect the right side of the slab.
- We suggest cutting the mitre edge before doing any cutout.
- To avoid chips, use waste pieces of Dekton before and after the edge you are mitring.
- Add slots at both mitre edges to improve the application of adhesive.
Using Adhesives with Dekton
Mastidek adhesives have been approved for use with Dekton. They come in matching colours to the slabs.
You should always remove excess adhesive from the surface and bevel joints first.
You can use acetone to clear up any adhesive that remains on the surface.
Tips for Dekton Installation
Once a Dekton worktop has been cut to fit, it is time for the final installation. It will be vital to carry this out to a high standard to get the best finish.
One of the main factors for achieving an excellent installation is ensuring that the support for the Dekton worktop is level. It must also be sufficient to support the worktop.
We do not recommend Silestone for supporting Dekton as it expands and contracts at a different rate and can affect the integrity of Dekton.
When manoeuvring a Dekton worktop into place, it is vital to protect joints and use the recommended adhesives and mastic.
Finally, it is worth remembering that Dekton is a high-quality worktop designed exclusively by Cosentino to be highly durable and look fantastic. It would not be cost-effective to carry out fitting and installation without the proper expertise and equipment.
Ensure you get a first-class result by getting in touch with us at Mr Kitchen Worktop Fitter
