Solid surface Quartz counter seam - should I be able to feel it?

16 years ago

Hi. My counters have been in for a couple of weeks, but we aren't living there and there is still a lot of work being done, so they have been covered and protected. What I've seen of them so far is beautiful to look at - I simply love my choice of Caesarstone Raven; it's better than the Pietra Cardosa that I originally thought I loved. (Very different, but with the same overall dark gray effect I was going for. The ease of care makes it even more beautiful in my eyes!)

Anyway, the reason I am posting is that yesterday while discussing an issue with a to-the-counter upper cabinet not resting on the countertop (I just never stop complaining), I noticed that my seam, although very narrow, is not flush. It looked like I could feel the seam, so I felt it and yes, it is very obvious to the touch.

Am I unrealistic thinking that I shouldn't be able to tell where my seams are if I rub the counter with eyes closed? To me, if feels like that is where dirt and water will accumulate when cleaning; like a little trench. I thought one of the advantages of quartz surfacing is that seams are much less noticeable than in natural stones.

The GC was there with me and said he'd have the fabricator come back and try to work on it, which is good. But, I wanted to get a reality check about my expectations from others with Quartz counters.

Can you feel your seams?

Featured Answer

User

16 years ago

Yes, you are being unrealistic. You're not talking Corian. You're talking quartz. The seam should be tight (smaller than 1/16th gap), it should be level (no lippage), and the filler should be within 1/32 of the surface. This doesn't mean that it'll either be invisible to the eye, or especially, to the touch.

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Comments (12)

peggross1
Original Author
16 years ago
Any owners of quatz surfaces cae to give an opinion?
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Lizzie, I love Joseph's encouragement but that is a nice looking seam and DIY super glue application to it is a wrong balance of risk over reward. My DH and I literally finished building our house (after it was framed) over several years so I am not anti- DIY at all. I say that because any missing adhesive must be a miniscule amount. Between trying to not overshoot the super glue and scraping a razor over my new quartz, I'd give a shout to my fabricator. Actually, I probably would organize my onions instead, but if you want it flush and think it isn't, Dear Reader, call your fabricator.
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debbie_2008
16 years ago
you will see it and you will feel it. Laminate will be a hairline seam, corian no seam, quartz a small seam. Granite will usually be a larger seam than quartz. There is no way around it.
saskatchewan_girl
16 years ago
That was something I noticed once my counters were installed also.......but I think I was REALLY looking hard at the workmanship because it was new, costly and a very pleasant investment to me. I rubbed my hands all over the counter and did feel the joint and then studied it. But you need to remember how sensitive our finger tips really are!!
Once my friends stopped over and I pointed it out to them........that's when reality set in or was 'put in place' by my friends LOL. NOT ONE of them saw the joint or felt it until I led them to the area! So they let me know that it's because it's mine that I see EVERYTHING.
So maybe sit back and take a different look at it and ask a friend to stop over. If you still feel the joint is high, I'm sure they can buff it lower. If the space isn't close enough, see if they or the KD can let you see some other counters to compare.
Take a pic and post it for others to view and that might help also. Here is a pic of my joint, that can only be seen when the a.m sun hits it in the right way : ) I hope that helps with you, I'm sure it looks great.

Can you see these? There are 2.
Happyladi
16 years ago
I can see and feel mine. I don't think it looks bad but it sure shows more the Saskatchewan girls does. I can't find her seam.
User
16 years ago
I have Cambria and fortunately my two one inch seams sit behind the cooktop. Guess i have shorter counter lengths :That said, i am glad i don't have seams because they would be pretty noticeable if they were similar to the two.

I agree with the poster that said that they should at least be flush
Good Luck!
tonilynne
16 years ago
Yes, there will be a seam that you can see if you look for it. It shouldn't jump out at you, but you will be able to feel it when you wipe down the countertop. I have Silestone.
cate1337
16 years ago
Sorry to hijack, Smarge. Our templating was yesterday, and I've been wondering about seams. Did your fabricators talk to you about seams at any point? No one's said a word to us.
User
16 years ago
i'm not 100% sure on this but i was under the impression that if you had an 8' run you wouldn't have seams; not sure what the cutoff point is, maybe it was nine feet. My raised counter and sink counter run were 8'. I think they cut the cooktop run just because it was easier to install the 1-1 1/2" w' run behind the cooktop.
I would ask before hand since it is noticeable and maybe you can figure locations where it would be least noticeable.
atlbeardie
16 years ago
The garage apartment at our new lake house is complete and, like Smarge, one of my major disappointments was the seam in the Cambria countertop in the kitchen. I had been considering this countertop surface for the main house, but after seeing how noticeable the seam is, have changed my mind. The seam in this material is much more noticeable than an equivalent seam in Corian. I don't feel like the seam is a dirt trapper, but it IS noticeable (much more so than Saskatchewan girl's). And I wish somoeone had asked me where I'd like to have the seam because I certainly would not have chosen to put it where they did. Live and learn....Guess this is not what you wanted to hear, but at least you are not alone.
peggross1
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone!

Sometimes I just need a reality check!
mlraff53
16 years ago
I have silestone, I can't see it unless I really look for it. I can feel it if I run my hand over it. but it's very very small. I had my sister look for it and she couldn't find it until I pointed it out to her.

Solid surface Quartz counter seam - should I be able to feel it?

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Solid surface Quartz counter seam - should I be able to feel it?

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peggross1Original Author

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