Nothing can detract from the overall beauty
of a new countertop like a poorly fabricated and installed seam; which is why
most customers want to avoid seams in their countertops.
There are a number of factors that can impact
seam placement. Granite slabs come in many different shapes and sizes. Slabs
can range in size from 50 to over 86 inches tall and from 90 to 140 inches
long. If the length of a countertop is longer than the nominal length of the
slab it will require a seam. Some types of granite have distinct veining also called
as "flow” which is similar to the pattern grain in wood. The stone must be
seamed so that the flow is aligned for visual continuity.
Job
site accessibility can also affect the placement of seams. Granite is extremely
heavy, weighing up to 22 lbs. per sq. ft. and has to be carried into the job
site by hand. Since the countertops are carried on edge the height of doorways,
cabinet soffits, upper cabinets and over-the-range appliances may create a need
for seams. If installers have to carry the granite tops up or down flights of
stairs, around tight corners or through narrow hallways a seam may be
incorporated to make the tops safer and easier to carry.
When
countertops are installed between walls that "lock” them in place a seam may be
required to protect wall surfaces and ease installation. Ultimately, the number
and placement of seams is solely at the fabricator. At Solid Surface Designs, our engineers
determine the placement of seams just prior to fabrication.
When
requested we provide our customers with a working drawing of the countertop installation showing where seams will be placed. For an additional charge customers can set
an appointment to meet with our engineers to "nest" their templates
and determine the placement of seam themselves.
According to accepted guidelines
published by the Marble Institute of America seams can be no wider than 1/16 inch
and must be filled with epoxy that is color matched to the stone. They should
lay flat with no more than 1/32 inch of lippage. Though the seams may be
visible they will not detract from the finished beauty of the countertops.
In
1993 Solid Surface Designs, Inc. began business as a factory certified
fabricator-installer of DuPont Corian. Since then we have grown to become the
region's largest fabricator and installer of Granite, Quartz and Solid Surface
countertops.
If you need help with an estimate, give us a call at (417) 258-2787 and ask for Doug, Holly, Mitchell or Sarah.