Questions about marble install, tell me if I'm missing anything!

10 years ago

It's getting to be countertop time!!! I met with the fabricator today. He's coming onsite tomorrow to look at the cabinets and go from there. I have a few questions, please!

1. Should the plywood stay in place with the marble installed on top of it?

He said he prefers the plywood to come up because if there is any moisture in the wood it would rise through the marble and stain. Also, the slab looked to be 2cm. I didn't measure or think to ask while I was there.

2. His stone source will simply send him a slab and then I will look at it and decide if it's the one I want. Has anyone went through this same process?

There was a remnant onsite of Bianco Carrara that I did like. Unfortunately, I have not looked much at marble to get a thorough 100% idea of what I want, but this remnant seemed to fit my vision. Should I go with my gut instinct that the Bianco Carrara I saw is actually what I want and keep my life easy? Or should I go in search of the ever elusive perfect slab? To be honest, this remnant type is what I am drawn to in pictures and during the brief search sessions I have conducted.

3. I want a stacked edge (mitered, double laminated or whatever you call it). I did not see any examples of his edging work. Is this a red flag? Or should I simply have a written agreement that if the work is subpar to my standards it will be redone at no cost to me.

This is a small shop in my hometown, with the nearest granite yard being almost 2 hours away. This man came with great recommendations. Is there anything I need to be looking for or something I'm overlooking? I intend to have a list to go over in the morning with him and would like to have all my ducks in a row.

TIA!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

cheryleb
10 years ago
I have read that marble may not be the best material for counters as it can be porous and stain.

I would ask about seams. Most of the unhappiness I read about with stone counters related to the seams.

If there isn't a big price difference, you might want to consider 3 cm stone. I think that is more of the standard (1.25").

I had selected a stone but when I went to select slabs, I didn't like the ones that were available so had to switch. It might be worth the 2 hour drive to view the slabs and make the selection in person.
calumin
10 years ago
If you can, I would try to make the 2 hour drive and pick the slab.

2cm is standard in some parts of the country (like CA) and some people feel it is stronger because of the base it sits on. I think it is personal preference. With 2cm you always install it over a plywood base, and usually do some sort of edge (usually to get to 4cm at the edges).

Mitered and laminated edges are not the same thing. A laminated or stacked edge is one where a second piece is placed under the main countertop at the edge, with the seam showing in the middle of the front face. A mitered edge is one where the cut is made at 45 degrees, so that the seam is at the top corner and the front face is a single cut. A mitered edge will look nicer if the fabricator is setup to do one, but it will usually cost more money.
Related Discussions
I'm blind- have question about self-watering container gardening
Q
Comments (11)
To answer the replies to my original post so far: I am thinking self-watering containers to reduce potential problems with insects and other pests (which I can't see) -- a potential problem with in-ground planting, because these containers seem easier to maintain (ie. fertilizer strips), and to lessen the likelihood of me over or under watering. Thank you for telling me about the Florida forum. I will definitely check it out. I also love the cork/wire suggestion for monitoring the water level as well as the suggestion to use bamboo poles to rig up sun shades. My husband, who is also blind, is quite handy with his hands, so he will be able to fashion all these things for me. There is a little bit of an overhang, but it won't offer much shade. Regarding the proper potting mix, I am confused. the earthbox website seems to suggest all you need is their potting mix, dolimite, and fertilizer strip and you are ready to go. Yet on this forum, I keep reading about all kinds of "recipes" for creating the best growing environment and drainage. Mixing up my own stuff is pretty much out of the question, so is there anything that is ready-made that you recommend for the earthbox? And finally, what about mosquitoes? Are they able to breed in the water reservoirs of the earthbox for instance? Linda
...See More
Question about getting bids from builders when I'm the GC
Q
Comments (31)
KHoene- You can do this!!! We are building our third house now and I can honestly say it is not rocket science. If you are well organized and have good communication skills, there is no reason you can't save yourself a big chunk of money by being your own general contractor. There are lots of great resources complete with sample contracts available on line to help you. http://www.buildahouseyourself.com/ is one that I've used myself. Don't get me wrong, contractors do make things easier for the builder. We have many friends who are contractors and my husband has worked with contractors for over 20 years with his work. But most just follow a step by step process and stay on top of things. One just this week was saying how people can save themselves a lot of money just by doing what he does for themselves. A friend of mine who is a stay at home mom was the general contractor for their home two years ago and they saved a lot of money and had NO problems. Their home is beautiful and she had never done anything like that before. She was just extremely organized and on top of things. You know what your skills are better than any of us. Time to oversee the project and make sure that everything is completed appropriately and timely will be the most difficult aspect of the process. Good luck on your adventure!!!
...See More
Ran Belarc and it says I'm missing Microsoft security hotfixes
Q
Comments (12)
Lynn, When you visit the 'Windows Update' website Welcome to Microsoft Update you will be 'flashed', not by Ray Stevens and 'The Streak', but by Microsoft checking to see if you have the latest Windows updating software which validates that you have a legitimate copy of 'Windows' (it's called, or was, 'WGA' Windows Genuine Advantage). That's the valdiation you were talking about. Microsoft on occasion will upgrade their 'Validation' tool. After it has validated that your copy of Windows is legit it will give you the option of 'Express' or 'Custom' (which includes other options that Windows feels you might need, such as 'drivers', etc.) install. I prefer not to use those. For all practical purposes the 'Express' (Get high priority updates- Recommended)option should scan your computer and let you know exactly what you need (with a few exceptions). If you use any of the Microsoft office products, such as the Microsoft Office 'Power Point' or 'Excel' viewers, 'Windows Updates' will not cover updates for that software unless_________. If you do use any of those Microsoft 'Word' programs (and I'm not really all that familiar with all of them)and you want to have 'Windows Update' include updates for those, what you have to do is when you open the 'Windows Updates' site there is an option to include updates for other 'Microsoft' products. I just did this a few days ago but forgot the terminoly they used. It's just a matter of clicking on a link to get 'Office'? updates now, or something to that effect. The 'Belarc' advisor does a nice job of scanning your computer and letting you know where it's deficient, including updates. If you scroll down to 'Missing Microsoft Security Hotfixes' that will tell you what Microsoft hotfixes (KB- 'Knowledge Base') fixes need to be installed for your computer. Below the 'Installed Microsoft Hotfixes' section you can see where they list those updates that have installed properly (Green checkmark), failed (Red X), etc. Clicking on 'detail' will take you to MS and explain the update. "I guess I have 2 questions:" "is there a way I can check to see if I have these updates on my computer?" Using 'Win XP' you can check what updates you have installed by going to Start/Control Panel/Change or Remove Programs/ and select 'Show Updates' at the top and scroll down to your updates. "- if I don't, how do I get them." Windows Security & Updates It's getting late and I'm under 'full sail' again (Seagrams), but if this didn't come across maybe a few of the others here, (R'C'?), could jump in and put a cap on it. Signing off for now,_____gettink to hard to coordnate the finkers. Good luck, Witz P.S. Also, if you want to put a shortcut to 'Windows Update' on your 'Desktop'(for those who don't use the 'Automatic update' feature and need a reminder) to check for the updates (they're supposed to come out the 2nd Tuesday of every month but you never know when they feel something important should be released sooner. I have gotten into the habit checking once a week. Using Win Xp, click Start/All Programs, at the top of the list you should have the 'Windows Update' link. Right click that link, scroll down to 'Send to', and select 'Desktop-create shortcut'. This will work for any of the programs you have.
...See More
I'm so fed up. Marble install. Help!
Q
Comments (47)
Weissman - this post has dragged on for a while, but I have heard enough dissenting opinions here that I have concluded, as Palimpsest said, the quote is "pricey, but not gouging". I gave the go ahead. Hi Lascatx --- no worry --- tone is to hard to read here. I didn't think you were saying that, I was just letting you know that I understand you get more bees with honey etc etc etc..... Marcolo, Funny, both you and Rococo mention rising costs and I have not heard that at all from anyone. I do think you are being just a tad harsh, now --- much of the labor is indeed quite skilled, not chicken pluckers. And in this area, we really don't have hungry contractors. I am told the lesser ones folded, and the 'good" ones are doing work for all the people who would move but dont want to sell into this market. BLfenton - as i mentioned in my post, part of it is the "change order" terminology. Inspectors telling me I need a steel beam is a change order ... conceding to paint the whole house instead of just the new construction elements is a change order .... replumbing to accommodate a taller washer and dryer than what was there is a change order... electricians' time to rewire european fixtures is a change order ...KWIM? We are not indecisive dilettantes dreaming up new ideas as we go. And this is part of the research now ... questioning this item. By the way, this item does not put me over my allowance for counters, so in that sense I did "know the costs before starting". But just because something comes in within allowance, doesnt mean I dont want to understand it. Thanks Pharaoh, But, if i get it right, wouldnt that mean every slab of the same size would have the same fab cost? Whether I cut it into 10 peices or 2? That seems counterintuitive.
...See More
Bunny
10 years ago
I live in No. Calif. and 2 cm is the standard on a base of 5/8" plywood, which is code in my jurisdiction. I have a stacked/laminated edge. Because my counter is a dark mottled quartz, with a random yet somewhat uniform pattern, the seam is virtually invisible. I can only discern it in certain light if I get in real close. No biggie. My friends recently had granite installed with a mitered edge and you can't see the seam at all. Don't know how much extra they paid for it.
PRO
Granite City Services
10 years ago
I am a fabricator.

Re: marble; pick the look you want. If you are not aware of the issues that can arise with marble (scratching, etching, staining) then do some research. Marble is beautiful but it's not particularly durable.

yes remove the plywood. Good call by the fabricator.

" I want a stacked edge (mitered, double laminated or whatever you call it)." make sure you understand the difference. A mitred edge (only possible with straight sections) is far more attractive than a laminated edge particularly as a lot of shops have a pronounced line between the laminated pieces. (a 1st rate laminated edge has only a hairline seam).

A Mitered edge typically will cost more and a small shop many not have the machinery necessary to put an accruate 45 degree bevel on the edges of the pieces to be mitered. Ask for a sample.

If it's done right a mitered edge has the grain of the stone "rolling over' the edge such that the stone looks as thick as the mitered edge excluding the vertical corners where the grain transition is unavoidably interrupted.
fav.auntx2
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for all the responses. I've had communication issues now computer issues so haven't been able to check back in.

Thank u for the concerns of etching etc. I am aware of this and have chosen to proceed with marble. Until I change my mind anyway lol

He came today and there were a few red flags ( thanks to my GW knowledge)

First he was 30 min late out of the 4 hour window i gave him to appear. He told me he forgot. Good thing hes nice, but anyhoo....

He said the stone would be 3cm so that's good. BUT: he kept waffling on leaving the plywood. Then when I asked about support for the 15-ish inch over hang he tapped the existing plywood ( which visibly flexed as he did so) and said it would be support enough.

He is creating a sample of his laminated edging for me. I clarified laminated w him. Also he said he would be ok if the slabs he brought in were not what I was looking for exactly. He would continue to exchange until I found one I did like.

So I'm going to seek out other fabricators and go from there. Thanks for all the input! I forgot to ask about seams tho :(

Questions about marble install, tell me if I'm missing anything!

Comments (5)

cheryleb

calumin

Related Discussions

Bunny

Granite City Services

fav.auntx2
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Questions about marble install, tell me if I'm missing anything!

Comments (5)

cheryleb

calumin

Related Discussions

Bunny

Granite City Services

fav.auntx2Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

fav.auntx2
Original Author