I thought it's common unless your counter is 3cm thick and doesn't require the plywood...

Paint it if it bothers you. The only people that will see it is some one that dropped something below or a child. It really isn't something you need to worry about.

Their knees won't touch the underside.

Paint to match color as close as you can, use high gloss paint to get the stone look.

This is always the case when 3/4" stone used, it requires plywood to be installed under it.

It's normal in my experience to have the plywood exposed and unpainted. I have it that way, and I have never ever noticed it in all these years.

I would definitely make sure that there aren't any serious splinters though....just in case. And if your stool height etc. makes it likely that there will be contact with people's legs, then even more need to sand and paint.

And here I am, Thanks for the post.

🍊

Hello from 2020 as well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that the underside should be finished! I have cabinets underneath my overhang so I will be down there a lot, and don't want to rub my head against splintery plywood. I was thinking of applying a thin veneer to make it easier/faster than sanding/painting.

I’m here in 2021! Lol. I just had my second kitchen remodel that has an island. This one (across the country from the first) they put simple ordinary plywood which the thought of is annoying me. At my old house was very nice smooth wood. It looked very finished underneath. I’m worried someone’s nice pants or dress will snag. I guess I’ll sand and paint :(

Hello from later in 2021 haha. My type a self is really struggling with the visible plywood under my overhang but sounds like I kind of need to deal with it?

90% of the time nobody does anything or notices plywood being there, some don't even know unless you bring it to the homeowner's attention.

Plywood is poor countertop underlayment. Steel and aluminum square tube are much stiffer.

Found this post with a google search in 2023… I was surprised they left exposed plywood under the small overhang when my counters went in yesterday!

July 2023 google search! Im just finishing up a waaay overdue kitchen remodel, and noticed the plywood under peninsula overhang while accessing the hidden corner cabinet. The plywood is VERY splintery! uhhhhggggg. Then I decided to check all top drawers and cabinets that could be exposed as well. I noticed that a couple drawers have nice and smooth plywood sufaces above, while others ( including the most important peninsula overhang) have the splintery effect. Not only am I certain spliters will get someone's knee while sitting on the bar stool, I fell like dusty splinters could start to flake off into the drawers. Also, splintery wood cannot be wiped down or cleaned.... NOT sanitary for the kitchen, nor anywhere really. I've called my contractor to come take a look this week and Im sure he will tell me to 'paint', but this splinteriness needs a major sanding before painting. Is this a common thing for the customer to be left with yet another full day or 2 job on top of thousands of dollars just spent on a brand new kitchen?

Cabinet grade plywood is not “splintery”. It is much more dimensionally stable than the roof sheathing they’ve used as underlayment.