skip to main content

Stainless Steel countertop - raw seams

13 years ago

I've had a long L stainless countertop fabricated, and I'm surprised to see the seams are raw rather than welded. Does anyone have experience (positive or negative) with raw seams? I'm concerned about water infiltration, sharp edges, etc. Is there any way they can be welded after they're glued to the substrate? Thanks!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

daiv
13 years ago
The seams should always be finished and sealed, both for looks, as well as to prevent moisture from infiltrating. Welded seams would be best of course and done properly, the look is amazing.

As far as fixing it, there is always a way to fix things. depending on your situation, the solution may come down to $$$. talk to the fabricator and see what he says. but if you ordered an L shaped, there is no reason it can't be finished properly.
viggen651_aol_com
13 years ago
In most cases you want to have a finished seam. If it's possible to weld the seam then that's ideal. Pending on the substrate (plywood, mdf, particle board)... you may not be able to weld the seam due to fire concerns. The other option is to run a silicone bead and flatten it out to ensure a water tight finish. The following site has some more information regarding stainless counters.

http://www.metalcountertops.blogspot.com/

Here is a link that might be useful: Stainless Counters
Related Discussions
Opinions on Stainless Steel Countertops
Q
Comments (38)
We just had stainless counters installed. I can tell you how we sourced and priced it. We have an L shape that is 13'9" in one direction and about 5' in the other direction. Near the corner is a double integrated sink and a drain board (sloped area, but no runnels). We tried getting quotes from 4 sheet metal fabricators in San Diego - the cheapest was $6000, the most expensive was $8000. We started giving up our dream of stainless counters. Then my husband went to restaurant supply place - he asked if they could make it. Their quote was $3700 (plus shipping and tax). It worked out to just over $4000 as the final number. It was fabricated up in Los Angeles by a vendor they work with. This put the pricing less than the silestone counter we had been considering. Ours is a 16 guage. We also have a turned up backsplash... which added tot he cost. We've had it in for 3 weeks. We've made pizza dough and pie dough on it - great surface for both. It's super easy to clean. If I could reclaim the section full of power tools (we're mid-remodel and DIY) I'd be thrilled. Sorry for the poor quality of this picture - this was taken the night we lifted it into place. I was tired and the flash was giving me fits. Here's a cluttered daylight picture of the integrated sink.
...See More
questionable fabricator of our soapstone counter tops
Q
Comments (10)
Florida Joshua installed our soapstone in May. We have a seam in our sink . . . . that you can't find. People have to search to find the 3 seams in our stone, because they are hard to see/feel. He used a black epoxy, it looks like your fabricator used white? And the bit about soapstone being porous and the water seeping in? Puhlease. False. Here's my sink. The seam is in the lower left hand side of the sink, about 3 inches in. Good luck trying to find it. This is freshly oiled. This is 3 months after install. We aren't oilers. As you can see, not having the stone oiled doesn't affect seeing the seam.
...See More
warming up a kitchen w/ stainless steel counters?
Q
Comments (19)
One way of being warm is by using warm colors. Sounds obvious, but the difference can be really striking. You didn't say what color the glass tile backsplash will be. Or what color you were thinking of for the range. Bluestar number 8023 and 8004 are very warm without being primary, and most of the colors under 5000 are also warm. If you coordinate your backsplash tiles with one of them, the kitchen can't help but have a warm feeling, even if you painted the cabinets ice blue :) On the other hand, icy, wintry colors are going to give you that cold look that you don't want, so stay away from pale blues and purples, greys, browns and blacks. You can also warm up the room with bright, cozy accents, in warm colors, like a cookie jar, fun clock, or bright colored small appliances. The trick to making it not look industrial is first to have a few things out, rather than all put away like you would in a sterile environment, and then to be sure the things you do display are broken up in color, rather than monotone. I chose to post the items below because they show the principle of broken up color. Whatever your taste is you can do this, except if it's "clean, industrial", since that's what you're trying to get away from. Basically a "warm" look is opposite to a "clean" look.
...See More
How are Stainless Steel Counters with smudges?
Q
Comments (30)
I have stainless countertops in my scullery. The backsplash is a sheet of stainless as well. I love it, so easy, so clean, no worries about messy projects. It will show streaks and drops if you don’t wipe it dry after washing, but it’s really no big deal. Word to the wise on installation though— my stainless counter came from the fabricator perfectly square and straight. My brand new walls, not so square and straight. Headaches ensued. I’d still do stainless again, but just go all OCD making sure the walls are perfect.
...See More
PRO
Hudson Custom Fabrication
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
This is an old thread but I figured I'd add my $0.02. It is extraordinarily difficult to do a flat welded seam without causing warping in the stainless. And it is absolutely a bad idea to do after the countertop is glued down, due to fire risk. The best solution is to use gray silicone caulk along the seam. We do this with the countertops we fabricate and get a very nice look without risking the heat warpage that would come with welding.
ed4almas
6 years ago
They put a silicone puddy on my seam and it looks horrible.

We are not accepting this. They are suppose to be experts I don't see why this is even an issue.

We pay a lot of money to have it done right and they are trying not to eat the mistake.
User
6 years ago
Silicone putty is a bad idea. However, they could use a stainless steel epoxy which would end up looking very like the metal as it would have fine steel particles embedded in it.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Sinks: Stainless Steel Shines for Affordability and Strength

By Rachel Grace

Look to a stainless steel sink for durability and sleek aesthetics at a budget-minded price

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Counters: Stainless Steel, the Chefs' Choice

By Ivon Street Studio

Professional-grade strength and shining beauty unite in classic stainless steel countertops for the kitchen

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS 10 Great Backsplashes to Pair With Stainless Steel Counters

By Becky Harris

Simplify your decision-making with these ideas for materials that work well with stainless steel counters

KITCHEN DESIGN Cool Countertops: Wood and Stainless

Consider One of These Alternatives to What All the Neighbors Have

KITCHEN DESIGN New This Week: 4 Kitchens That Embrace Openness and Raw Materials

By Mitchell Parker

Exposed shelves, open floor plans and simple materials make these kitchens light and airy

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Raw Meets Refined in an Open Brooklyn Loft

By Corynne Pless

Exposed brick and rustic elements mix thoughtfully with global art and textiles in a former warehouse

KITCHEN DESIGN Think Zinc for Kitchen Countertops

By Lisa Frederick

Adaptability is the hallmark of zinc for kitchen countertops, combining the durability of metal with the natural look of stone

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Countertops 101: Choosing a Surface Material

By Lisa Frederick

Explore the pros and cons of 11 kitchen countertop materials. The options may surprise you

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS 10 Countertop Mashups for the Kitchen

By Katie Pegler

Contrast or complement textures, tones and more by using a mix of materials for countertops and island tops

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Countertop Materials: 5 More Great Alternatives to Granite

By Kathryn Peltier Design

Get a delightfully different look for your kitchen counters with lesser-known materials for a wide range of budgets

Sponsored

CHC & Family Developments

4 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio