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Counter seam at undermount sink?

12 years ago

Hi all - I've found some old threads on this question that comes up now and then, so I apologize if this seems repetitive. But I'm getting quartz counters installed with an undermount cast iron sink, and I need help evaluating seam placement. Placing the seam at the sink makes good use of the size of the Caesarstone slab, but there is another option that would leave the seam in an area of the counter that one sees from the entire room. The posts I've read suggest that placing the seam at the sink is pretty common with granite. Is there any reason not to do it with quartz?

This is 3 cm material, so there's no plywood underlayment. None of the potential installers have said anything about reinforcing in the sink area. Though the sink does come with a sturdy mounting system that rests on top of the cabinets, should I be worried about the seam weakening the area that holds the sink?

Reading the current thread about the seam over dishwasher, it sounds like the seams in quartz can be very small, and my material is a small-grained black. So should I just play it safe and assume the seam will be fairly inconspicuous even if it's put in a place that's pretty much out in the open?

Thanks!

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Comments (3)

azstoneconsulting
12 years ago
Putting a seam inthe middle of a UMS is no big deal - as long as the guy doing it knows how to do it properly.

I always like to see the sink supported from underneath - either with a Sink Setter system - or wood cleats screwed to the cabinet assembly... either method will work fine - as long as you DO NOT hang the sink from the underside of the stone - in your case - using the hangar clips with a seam in the middle puts added stress at the seam - so I would not recommend using the clips alone = especially with a cast iron sink - SS yes - Cast Iron = NO !!!

ask to see some of the previous examples of the work your fabricatr has done in similar instances if you are not sure - do NOT "assume" - remember that "when you do "assume" - it makes an ass out of U and an ass out of ME" LOL

See things for yourself first hand and when you are satisfied - make your buying decision...

hth

kevin
kmcg
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks so much Kevin. I'll try to see examples.

Are you familiar with the undermount sink kit that Kohler ships with its sinks? I wonder if the system (cross bars that sit on front and back edge of cabinet) is anything like the sink setter system you recommend. Or would it be as good as cleats (do you mean front and rear cleats?).
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azstoneconsulting
12 years ago
I use the Sink Setter system - here in AZ - we don't use too many Kohler cast Iron sinks, as price is prohibitive, and we supply our own Stainless Steel sinks on the jobs we do.

I have had nothing but good results and happy customers when I have used the Sink Setter

hth

kevin

Here is a link that might be useful: Sink Setter Website

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