Counter top seam weak point??

7 years ago

Situation...new construction, counters about to be cut now by fabricators. Concerned about seams in wrong places and causing weak points. Material: quartz slab (called new carrara, fairly white with light veining -see below).

Our concern is that in our last house we had a seam in front of the cooktop (a cooktop is dropped in like some sinks). Anyway, there was about 2" of granite and after a while the granite heaved and seam became contaminated with liquids, oil, water and looked hideous. I know there will not be a seam in front of cooktop (we're using a range instead) but looks like plan only calls for 1.5 inches of quartz in narrowest point in front of sink. Will that spot be a "bad seam" and collect water, heave or change because it's in the middle of the sink & only 1.5

inches wide?

I've read other houzz posts and it seems like people are split (no pun intended) on where to put seam for counter tops; some say bisecting the sink is ok, others prefer to have seam away from sink, in the wider portion of counter. Have also been told that it's easier to create "less visible" seams with quartz compared with granite?

Below is plan from fabricator, and lengths, placement is visible. Their default cuts are in red, splitting sink and one other seam. After my wife talked to them they offered the alternative as shown in yellow.

Nearing the end of 1 year of construction and don't want to make mistakes in final stages!

Featured Answer

PRO

HALLETT & Co.

7 years ago

Shifting is not due to the seam, it is due to poorly installed cabinets or shifting structure. I always want my seam at the sink where it is the least visible. If the cabinets are properly installed (level, secure, etc) that should never cause a crack.

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Comments (9)

suzyq53
7 years ago
How about an apron front sink?
Jeff Smith thanked suzyq53
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PRO
Precision-Tops, LLC
7 years ago
I agree with @Hallett&Co There shouldn't be shifting and if there is, it is not due to the counter tops. The best place for a seam is at the sink area. Seam is least noticeable and, if epoxied correctly, no worries about water leakage. Deck seams (the big seams through the big part of the counter tops) are more noticeable and for no real advantage over the other.
Jeff Smith thanked Precision-Tops, LLC
Mrs. Gopher #BringBackSophie
7 years ago
Do you get to pick the location? Because most fabricators will determine the seam for you instead of you choosing.

Is your Dishwasher going to be on the left or right of the sink?

Also, what is the left of the run where the 25 3/8" measurement is?

Sometimes quartz can be easier to seam. Not always, especially when you have a lighter counter top.

[Seams[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/super-thread-on-countertop-seams-dsvw-vd~5296909)
Jeff Smith thanked Mrs. Gopher #BringBackSophie
Jeff Smith
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks folks. Sink already ordered so we can't pick apron type but good idea.

We CAN pick location.

DW to the right of sink.

To the left of the 25 3/8" is a refrigerator (large one).
Mrs. Gopher #BringBackSophie
7 years ago
The choice to me is simple... the less seams the better.

I like seams at the sink. You can drape a towel over the sink to hide it if you want to.

Also, its completely normal to ask for a sample of a seam from your fabricator. And when you do specify you want a light colored stone sample.
Jeff Smith thanked Mrs. Gopher #BringBackSophie
Jeff Smith
Original Author
7 years ago
Very good idea, to get a seam sample. Yes, we have decided to go with the recommended seam layout as shown in image in red, so will bisect the sink. They are doing counters starting tomorrow, very exciting!
Jeff Smith
Original Author
7 years ago
They created the seams today and these installers are highly skilled and have modern tools. Final seams are tiny, hardly a 16 of an inch. They used clamps to fix pieces at start (flush and in place), then and a pneumatic suction device to pull the two quartz pieces together more completely while epoxy set.

Epoxy was made off-site by counter company of the correct color. Epoxy was runny enough to penetrate downward into gap. Then they allowed the suction device to pull the pieces together. Right away they scraped off excess with razor blades and wiped with an alcohol compound and paper towel. This is the island quartz with seam bisecting prep sink.

TADA!
suzyq53
7 years ago
That looks great. Hope its all good for you now. Enjoy.
Jeff Smith thanked suzyq53