Runnels or no runnels

14 years ago

I got my kitchen counter templated the other day finally. I have chose to get AB black and desperately want runnels near my sink. My contractor received a phone call today from the granite company saying that they don't like to do runnels on any stone and especially honed products because it can weaken the stone. They also said if I did get them they can't guarantee the stone.

I have seen beautiful kitchens on this site with no problems to their stone by getting them.

I really don't know what to do. I really want them, but if they can't guarantee the stone it makes me a little worried something is going to happen in the future and I will be in deep water.

what would you do, runnels or no runnels?

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Comments (11)

jerzeegirl
14 years ago
Personally if the granite company won't guarantee the runnels then I would probably not do them (but I would not be a happy camper).

What is the thickness of your stone?
palimpsest
14 years ago
Mine are in soapstone which is a different animal altogether, and I like them, but I would not get them if the company wouldn't guarantee the work.
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brickeyee
14 years ago
One more thing to catch debris that needs to be cleaned.

All you have to do with the stone is wipe excess water in into the sink, then wait for the rest to evaporate.
joaniepoanie
14 years ago
I wanted runnels in my granite and called several places in the DC area but no one would do them. Apparently the machine to do them properly is around $500,000. If this machine is not used the grooves will not be "polished" and they will be a breeding ground for bacteria. After the fact I did see here on GW where people did a slope towards the sink which I think would work just as well.
Bunny
14 years ago
A little drainer with a sloped pad underneath. Move it into or under the sink when you don't want to see it.
billy_g
14 years ago
Bucks County Soapstone recommended the sloped approach and said a slope drains better than runnels. We took their advice and it drains very well and it is easy to clean.

But this was in soapstone, not granite -- a huge difference.

Billy
Heatherash8210
Original Author
14 years ago
thanks everyone. I know I shouldn't do them if the company doesn't guarantee their work but I love the look and function. I guess this is one battle I won't win :(

a sloped drain is another option that could work really well. I should look into that more.
williamsem
14 years ago
I saw the slopes on another post, sounds like a good alternative. Does anyone know what grade slope works well and how long the sloped area should be? It's one of the many things I'm looking at. Also has anyone had problems using the sloped counter area for prep or other purposes?
mom2sethc
14 years ago
Hello,

I ran into the same issues that joaniepoanie did with regards to runnels in granite. Instead my fabricator was able to do the sloped drainboard, and we love it!
User
14 years ago
I have a sloped drain too (in soapstone) and am very happy with it, I wish I had them put in on either side of the sink.
suska6184
14 years ago
I also have the sloped drainboard in Silestone. I prefer it to runnels, so glad we did it.