Kitchen Granite Advice . . .
 

Our kitchen goes under the sawsall in March, so it is decision time to piece it together. We have hired a trusted contractor who will make it right for $20K+. New cabinets, new heated tile floor, new counter top etc etc.

My question/problem: The counter top is around 12' so it is longer than a slab of granite (just 10 ft). This means we will have to have a joint. And with anything other than the most boring of slabs, this also means that the joint will be obvious.

Where would you join it?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1358252599.jpg

My wife is drawn to some of the more exotic swirly granites like this:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1358252791.jpg

Since it is a dark room, we are thinking off-wife (edit: obviously subliminal) painted cupboards, fairly neutral porcelain tiles & backslash etc with 'the pop' coming from the granite & lighting.

Ideas?

Ian

I put some "boring granite" in one of my rentals last year...the joint is undetectable imo. I would think that in your situation, a joint right in the middle of the sink (or on either side if that's not doable) would be least obvious, but that will depend upon the slab. For me, when they made the "template", the guy was speculating it wouild be three pieces, but it turned out (due to the slab) to be only two. I would think yours could easily be two pieces (from the same slab) butted together in the middle somewhere...would probably look great imo.

My cousin owns a high end granite import business. They do a lot of work in New York City, Greenwich Conn. and Palm Beach. I have gone a few trips to see some of the work. I have been to several celebrities homes, Wall street big shots and in the Plaza penthouse. From what I have seen they would seam at the center of the sink. It's the least noticeable spot as it is a smaller area where to slabs would but together. It's also the place the slab is most likely to crack due to weakening by cutting the hole for the sink.

I like the center as well but that would make the slabs - with pointy things - pretty hard to move & install without damage?????

Ian

And the new sink looks like it will be an under mount btw.

Ian

Never put your joint in front of the sink!!
That is the weakest point in the top, can create sealing leaks for the sink, and is the most visible spot of all.
i would seam the pieces in the left side, the least used and least noticeable place.

We have a dark granite called blue Mary in our kitchen. It is black, blue, and white. Mostly black.
It was installed about two years ago. The installers did a great job matching the two pieces at the seam. I forget that it's there. The seam is to the left of the sink (undermount). I think the dark color helps in this matter.

Here is the slab we REALLY like but I am hesitant about blue . . .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1358255041.jpg

Ian

We always did ours at the sink. Never any problems. YMMV.

It's your place but the exotic stuff seems to go out of style sooner where neutral works forever. Much easier/cheaper to paint than put in new counters.

I had some installed ~yr ago, cant see the seam either.

I build custom homes and generally it is a no-no to do the joint at the sink for the reasons stated. For one thing with an under-mount sink (the norm around here) the joint would still be perfectly visible in a highly figured stone. One thing that we have done is break up the run at a strategic place with some form of built in cutting board. I find the extra long runs without a break less appealing anyhow. If you've chosen a cabinet maker already, a good one will often have some ideas to solve problems of this kind. Good luck

I would look at the stone and choose a spot for the break in an area that is calmer. Another option is to have the two slabs at different heights, or maybe a 3 foot section of a contrasting stone that straddles the break . It breaks up the long expanse and ads interest.

You have a small kitchen and should avoid "exotic" or large pattern granite like the ones posted. They can overwhelm the room. Put the joint under the microwave (far left of the sink).

------
l____________ Is what I came to say



My countertop is seamed at the sink it looked great at first but hardwater makes the line visable. That and mine is no where near as busy

Good looking stone by the way.

We have a joint in ours and I never see or notice it.

Based on the picture I would put the joint next to the stove as it looks like the joint would be under the microwave and you'd never see it.

Joint down to the left side. It's the least traveled..ie conspicuous.

Ya gotta move that stove, it looks like it was an afterthought stuck in there. Wasted cabinet and drawer space.

Would a cooktop/oven in an island with a couple of stools be an option? The wall by the fridge looks like it could go also to make more room.

I wouldn't do a joint at all. I'd put in a bakers height counter to the right of the sink. With that set up, you'd have two distinct continuous counter tops and add some functionality if your wife enjoys baking. It would be a nice visual feature as well.

I like the idea of a cutting board. Here is a photo of the seam in my counter. The stone cutters were careful to make sure there were the fewest character marks in the area of the seam, so it is obvious, but not conspicuous. I designed my counter in 3 levels because it is a fairly large expanse of granite. I really like it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1358269609.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1358269633.jpg

I have a few. call me. I need cash.

No joints at the sink. That's the weakest spot of the whole slab due to the small area. Pre fab. slab? If you installer or fabricator is good, they will try and have the next piece in line and match the vein so the seam is unnoticeable.