The Counters Blog

Granite countertop seams are an issue of concern for many buyers of granite counters. If your kitchen countertops are longer than 10 feet, chances are they will have a seam. A seam is the transition line that forms when two granite tops come together. Some installers use silicone so the countertop pieces can move. The skill of your installer and the quality of your fabricator will determine how good your granite countertop seam will look.The number of seams in your granite countertops should always be kept to a minimum. Seams should not be less than 6 inches from the edge of a sink cutout. You can put seams in sink cutouts, but this may make the seams more obvious and constantly under use and stress. You can save stone while minimizing the size of the seams. How can you make sure your fabricator is capable of producing a “perfect” seam? The void between the tops should be filled with epoxy or polyester glue, colored with pigment to match your granite tops.
Countertop 32 Caulking The Seams | Duration 3 Minutes 46 Seconds If you know what a good seam should look like, you can have an impact on what you get. You should feel no difference in the height of the two countertop surfaces. Perfect granite countertop seams are made with perpendicular slab cuts with a small 45 degree miter cut. Every slab of granite is unique with colors that can’t be easily matched using pre-mixed seam pigments. Certain factors will determine how many seams you will have. The smaller the slabs, chances are, the more seams you will have. This can leave the top weak and subject to breaking during installation. It’s best to place granite countertop seams in areas that aren’t seen much.

Water Damage To Laminate Counter Seams by woodweb.com

If the seam is sealed properly is it fair to say that it still may let moisture in that will cause damage to the substrate? The substrate crushes over time and has to go somewhere either bulging the top or blowing out the bottom. Pre-form the top again and hope for the best or different style top where the joint is not accessible to water. Who is going to step up and bite the bullet and assume the new cost of the top? You can replace that top and it will eventually fail again. You should use wood glue, even a type 2 water proof kind. Also, using a spline or biscuit to keep the top surfaces aligned will help keep the joint tight. This thin layer of plastic is not water proof, only water resistant and what is underneath it – layers of colored paper. I totally agree with the adhesive solution mentioned by several that have commented. It will swell and fill voids and excess glue above the seam has to be removed carefully. I once had a customer that complained of swelling in a post form countertop joint. I then replied “you had the same mother who taught you both the same bad habits”. Can a properly-sealed seam buckle from constant moisture (kitchen towel placed on top of if to drain dishes) or what other factors could have caused it? Damp dish towels or any constant moisture will eventually get in regardless if sealant. We keep joints of any kind as far from sinks and dishwashers as possible. The sink is 8″ away from the seam in the front and about 35-36″ in the back”. Miter cut joint is too close to the sink area which allows water to close to the joint. That layout sounds like a good candidate for a shop or site-built laminate top with seams as far away from the sink as possible. I pass the cost on to the customer, but they get a much better product in my opinion. Unfortunately, since we did not have the proper provisions in the warranty to cover the water damage on the seams, we will have to pay for a new top. Any gap left over in the mitre should be filled with seam fil, or a latex based caulk. Assuming the return legs are under 60in you could offer them something without a seam. I saw a properly installed post form top that swelled-up over night when chicken had been left to thaw over the seam. They are a one-part polyurethane and they offer the best shield for keeping water out. If you cannot avoid water in the area of a seam make sure you pitch the top so that standing water won’t stay right on top. It consists of layers of brown craft paper overlaid with a colored paper covered by a thin layer of clear plastic. Most often the substrate is particle board and we all know what happens when that gets wet. She then admitted that her sister that bought the house next to her, and had the same problem.

Bamboo Countertops Buyer’S Guide by countertopspecialty.com

Bamboo countertops are made the same way that plywood is made. Check out these bamboo countertops pros & cons to decide for yourself. If you do not want to hire a professional to do it, it is easy to do it yourself. The hardest types of bamboo countertops are the vertical grain, end grain, and strand.

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Using Fastcap Products To Seam A Corian Countertop | Duration 1 Minutes 22 Seconds If you are interested in going green or being eco-friendly, bamboo is the perfect way to go. Bamboo is durable in that it will last a long time with proper care, but it can be damaged. Speaking of glue , it’s okay that bamboo countertops are a laminated surface made by gluing together thin sheets of bamboo. However, the glues must be food-safe and free of formaldehyde. Along with being chipped, it can also be stained by certain liquids or foods. Make sure that the surface is well-sealed, particularly around the sink. Sealers and coatings used on wood can be used on bamboo too, although, you’ll want sealer safe for food-prep surfaces. These are food safe and effective but must be periodically reapplied. This isn’t necessarily a con, but many people do not like seeing seams. Most bamboo will be a light blonde color, but darker colors can be achieved via “carbonization”. And the grain will determine how durable the surface will be.Flat grain is less durable but shows off the unique pattern of the bamboo nodes. You will definitely be able to tell that the countertop is made of bamboo and not of another type of wood with this style as the “nodes” or “knuckles” are still visible. This orientation will have the same look as a traditional wood butcher block countertop. The rectangle shaped ends are then applied in a face-up/face-down pattern. Like horizontal grain, stand woven looks a lot like wood as well. The nodes of the bamboo stalk are shown with this style which reveals the distinctive character of this species of wood countertop.It is important to “shop around” and compare pricing to find what fits your needs the best. Cost fall in the mid-range compared to other countertop materials like granite and quartz. It’s a bit high-maintenance and requires regular sealing to guard against stains and water intrusion. For the above reasons, bamboo is best suited for a bathroom countertop or lower use area in the kitchen… perhaps a kitchen island. Sheets of bamboo are bound together under pressure with adhesive to form panels or boards. Like wood, bamboo also expands in different temperatures and levels of humidity which must be considered for maintenance. For instance, kitchen countertops get far more use and abuse than bathroom countertops or even a kitchen island (unless this is the primary area of use). Given that bamboo may not be the best choice for a primary use area in the kitchen unless you are set on wood countertops and/or an eco-friendly material and you’re willing to put in the extra care. Bamboo countertops are not heat resistant, so you must be proactive about not placing hot items on the countertop directly. Use trivets, hot pads, or a cooling rack to avoid scorching the surface finish, the bamboo itself or the glues used in making the countertop. Precaution should be taken when handling heavy objects such as large soup cans or pots. Pay attention to wet areas as bamboo countertops are not completely water resistant. Multiple applications of a sealer might be necessary to ensure that there is no water damage to the countertop.Mineral oil and/or beeswax are the best sealers to use for bamboo countertops. Edges are usually squared or rounded but can have inset patterns. Vertical, end and strand grain are the hardest and most resistant to damage. The end grain style is created by cutting off the end of the bamboo strips and then sealing them together with a non-toxic adhesive. This type is great for withstanding cutting because it does not show scratches very easily due to the pattern of the bamboo strips. The surface is made by combining the strands with adhesive and pressing together under high-pressure. Of course, many variables influence the total cost for any countertop material, hence the wide range. Bamboo does average in the same price range as other hardwoods. The price will largely depend on the quality of the bamboo but installations cost can vary as well. Bamboo is not heat, stain, or scratch resistant (end grain will resist and hide damage the best).

Amazon: 3M 08307 Self Leveling Seam Sealer Cartridge by amazon.com

This seam sealer offers a work time of approximately 8 minutes and can be painted in 15 minutes. Will cure to a sticky tack form in a few minutes, peel the masking tape off at that time. I bought 2 and decided to put about 1/2 of the second one in. Quick curing properties enhance automotive body shop productivity. This sealer provides a self-leveling characteristic that allows it to flow before curing and is perfect for horizontal applications requiring a smooth, puddled, application of seam sealer. It sets in six minutes, but really, you have more like three to get the masking tape off. If you are filling a channel just cover the area and let it do the rest.