How much gap is OK between stone countertop and wall?

14 years ago

I am getting ready for the templaters to come on Monday for our marble countertop. I just read in their pre-template hand-out that they cut the stone on straight lines, and any unusual scribing for unusually bellied or bowed walls incurs and extra charge. Obviously I want to avoid that!

So I measured from the wall to the front of the base cabs at about 16" intervals along the counter run. There is variation of 1/4".

Most of the wall is pretty flat, but one area bellies out a bit, so the overall variation is 1/4"... maybe 3/8" max.

Is that OK? Will the tile backsplash cover the gap? or should I try to sand down the wall in that area? What do you think?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

holligator
14 years ago
I don't think a 1/4" difference qualifies as an "unusually bellied or bowed" wall. Fabricators are supposed to be able to manage such differences as routine.
lascatx
14 years ago
On the other sidde of your question, most tile used in backsplashes is 1/4" or 3/8" thick, plus you have the thinset behind that. You can probably allow 3/8-1/2" for your splash, but I agree that 1/4" variations are probably more than norm that unusual.

Hope you love your marble. I thought I was going to have to tell you that I had the first stain on my marble, but I think they were actually on the sealer. They came right off with some cleaner add I will reseal the counters soon -- it's about time anyway. I think you are more likely to love them for several years and convince someone else seeing them in a used state that marble isn't so scary that to lose a sale. Worst case, someone wants to replace the counters -- or get Dry Treat applied. ;-)

For now, they are yours to enjoy. I like your slabs. The speak to me -- kind of like mine did. Mine had dark lines and squiggles against a background that reminded me of da Vinci sketches on old paper. My son has done reports on da Vinci for school and we have enjoyed talking about his incredible visions and ideas -- and laughed about the line in "Ever After" where da Vinci takes a locked door off the hings and tells them that he shall forever be remembered as the man who opened a door. I think that set me up to love my slab, but yours has a wispy quality that is unusual and I like that too. Enjoy your counters, and if you have any concerns 3 years from now -- well, no certainty that I'll still be here or have the same email address, but I'd be happy to help you get them ready for a resale over a cup of coffee and talk about what your next counters will be (these are it for me -- DH says he's going out of here in a box -- LOL) Love your marble!
Related Discussions
How do I fix gap between counter and wall???
Q
Comments (2)
A relatively thick sidesplash/backsplash can cover that gap. I'd fill it with caulk backing first, as caulk won't bridge that gap alone, then caulk it, and then install some type of backsplash/sidesplash.
...See More
Standard acceptable gap between counter and wall?
Q
Comments (11)
I would say the standard is "no gap" that is visible to the eye. If there is gap due to defect of the wall (it is not square), then the countertop should have been cut to accommodate that. I would not be comfortable with caulking of that size. Only other way to mitigate it is to have a backsplash made out of the same countertop material. that way, it would be thick enough to cover the gap, but have something to support it other than the caulking.
...See More
Help! Gap between countertop and wall
Q
Comments (8)
Well, the caulking was forgotten at the front. it's missing. To me it does not look like he cut into the wall. otherwise the caulk would look different. If you do not like the caulk like, try installing tile on that side and remove the backsplash and install the same tile there as well so as to not look choppy. use the below pictures for tile installation ideas, not color or style.
...See More
Gap between bathroom cabinet and stone countertop
Q
Comments (5)
It is very common for counters to be shimmed if your cabinets were not level. The stone is stronger level than if it was to be placed flat on an uneven surface. But this all depends on how high it was shimmed and the support it is given.
...See More
holligator
14 years ago
I had to laugh at this, lascatx: DH says he's going out of here in a box...

...because my DH has already identified the box! He says he wants to be buried in our KA fridge. I keep pointing out that the side-by-side thing may pose a problem, but he insists that I'll be able to figure it out when the time comes.

Sorry for the digression, Stacey, but I couldn't resist! :)

-Holly
User
14 years ago
In situations like that, you cut the counter to the longest dimension and then you notch the drywall in the shortest spot so that it slides in and fits overall. You'll never notice it when the backsplash goes up.
bill_vincent
14 years ago
In situations like that, you cut the counter to the longest dimension and then you notch the drywall in the shortest spot so that it slides in and fits overall. You'll never notice it when the backsplash goes up.

Exactamundo. :-)
Stacey Collins
Original Author
14 years ago
Bill V and Live Wire Oak... can you guys clarify for me?

The counter I am concerned about it a long run (see below, sink run about 11' long. There will be one seam over to the left of the sink.). The place where the wall bellies a bit is right behind the DW. Its sheetrock on old wood boards on masonry there :( I guess one of the old boards was thicker than the others...

the area where it bellies is totally skim-coated with mud, so I dont know whether its a sheetrock seam or not. The rest of the run's measurements are within 1/8" of each other, it's just there that the wall sticks out more.

Should we somehow cut a horizontal notch in the sheetrock there? Like a 1.25" high by 12" wide notch that's 1/4" or so deep, to allow the marble to butt up the wall everywhere else?

Not sure I totally understand!

if that's correct, what sort of tool would we use to do that? If I totally misunderstood, can you explain?

Thanks so much!
Stacey

{{!gwi}}
brickeyee
14 years ago
Let the installers cut the notch.