Exactly what is templating?
I thought it was simply measuring countertops for replacement but that shouldn't take 2 hours.
So there must be more to it.
What exactly does it involve?

Templating is very exact measuring. Sometimes a paper or cardboard pattern is cut to fit exactly where the counter top will be. It is important because buildings, kitchens, cabinets, walls etc. are never exactly straight. If they just measured the length of the counter top there might be gaps and places where the seams didn't fit right. 2 hours is reasonable.

Thanks Cocok.
Actually the man just got here and is putting up wood strips all over the place so I guess I now know what templating looks like.
And here I always thought they would only be measuring with a measuring tape.
Ha!

When we had our granite counters installed in 2007, the technician used a laser device on a tripod to electronically measure and create digital templates via computer. No measuring tapes; no cardboard pattern. Came out great.

Wow! That's sounds great. I wonder why not everyone does that now. Too expensive maybe?

template |ˈtemplət|
noun
1 a shaped piece of metal, wood, card, plastic, or other material used as a pattern for processes such as painting, cutting out, shaping, or drilling.
• figurative something that serves as a model for others to copy : the plant was to serve as the template for change throughout the company.
• Computing a preset format for a document or file, used so that the format does not have to be recreated each time it is used : a memo template.
• Computing a guide that fits over all or part of a computer keyboard to describe the functions of each key for a particular software application.
• Biochemistry a nucleic acid molecule that acts as a pattern for the sequence of assembly of a protein, nucleic acid, or other large molecule.
2 a timber or plate used to distribute the weight in a wall or under a support.

quote:

Originally posted by arepo:
Wow! That's sounds great. I wonder why not everyone does that now. Too expensive maybe?

Could be. This technology has been around for a while now, but not every granite installer uses it. Or, it could be that not every installer is conversant -- or comfortable -- working with high-tech measuring devices.

In our previous home, when we installed Silestone countertops, in 2004, the template was created the "old-fashioned way," and it came out OK.