why is the simple so hard?

5 years ago

Latest annoying sourcing dilemma. I have all floating vanities in the new house. I want 2 CM counters in a NATURAL MATERIAL. Shouldn't be an issue, right? Google says that 2 CM granite, slate and even soapstone are available.

Sure they are....

Just not here... The stone yards that are national / regional / multi location all have them - but, of course, not in my location. Boston? sure. Cali? check. NY area? no problemo...

And the fabricators think that they can just say "how about quartz?" and I'll say - "sure - why didn't I think of that?". No - I don't like quartz.

So here I am chasing every random 2 CM stone I can find, and it's been really frustrating. Also frustrating is even different locations of a "chain" of stone yards don't move slabs around.

Has anyone had any success with getting 2 CM stone or finding and getting something "transferred" from one location to another? Or have any specific words of encouragement?

On to call another multi location stone yard and beg!

Featured Answer

just_janni
Original Author

5 years ago

Yup - we're traditional 3CM or nothing! folks. ;-). Sometimes thicker with built up edges...

My fabricator is fine with it - but wasn't up the the task of relentlessly pursuing every breadcrumb of a lead in order to find it.

I am totally not worried about anything looking cheap - mostly because we're building this for us and us alone (and no kids to feather an estate nest) and I got way more issues with salability than countertops. ;-)

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Comments (11)

PRO
beesneeds
5 years ago
Where is your general location?
just_janni thanked beesneeds
AJCN
5 years ago
I had the same issue in Colorado. GC said only 3 cm is ever used in the area. Seemed weird to me but when I drove to Denver to look at materials, 3 cm was all I found. We're fine with it, we like it, but at the time I thought it was strange. In my city, Houston, I can choose 2 or 3 cm in just about anything.
just_janni thanked AJCN
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just_janni
Original Author
5 years ago
I am in central North Carolina.

I MAY have just scored! Triton Stone has 2 CM soapstone and a 2 CM black granite and they WILL transfer for no fee within their region! (They will transfer outside of the region for the cost of freight) so I am emailing my fabricator IMMEDIATELY and will reserve the 2 soapstone slabs!

Crossing fingers!!!! thanks for the encouragement!!!!
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
5 years ago
We are so helpful.
just_janni thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
just_janni
Original Author
5 years ago
See? It pays to go to the pros. LOL

Will advise if the fabricator is on board with this - but my goodness - we've been working on this for like 2+ months, calling, visiting slab places, etc. I really didn't want to settle but was JUST about ready to give up.
User
5 years ago
It is regional. 2cm is West Coat. 3 cm is East Coast. The middle is muddled. Large national wholesalers like Triton, Pacific Shores, MSI, Daltile, Stone Source, National Stone Distributors, etc. sometimes carry both.
David Cary
5 years ago
Agreed. Much easier to build what it typical in your area. I don't think I have ever seen 2 cm in a NC home except for pre-fab stuff - like a Lowe's 36 inch vanity top. So you might consider that effect - that 2 cm is considered cheap in NC. The fabricators might be nervous since they aren't used to it - but probably not.

I do think I have seen 2cm soapstone now that I think about it.
Caroline Hamilton
5 years ago
I'm in NJ and had a hard time finding 2cm for a coffee bar area. I ended up going w a stainless countertop.
just_janni thanked Caroline Hamilton
jeri
5 years ago
May I ask why you want 2cm instead of 3cm? Cost? Will you be doing a mitered edge to make it look thicker or do you just prefer a thinner edge?
just_janni thanked jeri
just_janni
Original Author
5 years ago
These tops are for floating vanities in bathrooms. The 2 CM is "lighter" both in weight and visually. I am fine with a 3CM top on a cabinet or vanity that is counter height or over 30" - these things are only about 18 inches tall. I am looking to do a reverse bevel on these as well, to complement the floating feel of the vanity.

I find the thinner material to be more modern than the traditional 3CM.

I am generally not a fan of mitering edges.