Laminate seams around sink... Is this acceptable?

srb2015

9 years ago

Hello everyone! I love reading these forums but have never needed to post my own question until today.

We recently undertook a DIY kitchen renovation and have finished everything except the countertop. We have a friend (bad idea to go this route in hindsight) who is a contractor, so we used him to get a contractor rate on a new laminate countertop. He took the measurements and placed an order with 84 Lumber, who subs out the fabrication to another company.

We were originally told we'd get the counters in 2-3 weeks. It ended up being more like 6 weeks and we finally got the counters in yesterday, mostly. One part was chipped and returned to be fixed, and two pieces were missing.

My main concern is the number of seams in the counter (on every single corner) and especially the seams around the sink. We have a corner sink. As you can see in the photos below, they cut 2 separate parts to make up the corner section, meaning there will be a very large seam running just behind the sink, and two corner seams on either side. The back triangle section is one that is missing, and they will be sending it to us.

Is this a normal configuration for cutting laminate around a corner sink? To me it seems like far to many seams within inches of the sink. We asked our friend the contractor, and he said the fabricators wouldn't do one large piece, and that we'd have to get a custom countertop to do that. We had the countertop fabricated based on our kitchen measurements... isn't that custom enough?

Can someone with more knowledge on this subject please let me know if this was done correctly, or if I am right to be upset? We paid $1400 and waited over a month to get the countertop done. Is it too much to ask that it would be done without so many seams?

Thank you all!
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Featured Answer

srb2015
Original Author

9 years ago

Thanks everyone. I guess I was just caught off guard when in came in like this, when we originally thought it would be more seamless. We should have asked more questions in the beginning. Live and learn!

As far as the look of the laminate itself, I couldn't be happier. It's wilsonart spring carnival and I think it's beautiful in person.

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Comments (11)

hippy
9 years ago
We had the countertop fabricated based on our kitchen measurements... isn't that custom enough?

No it isn't.

First mistake was going through a third party like 84 Lumber to get something like laminate countertops..Companies that they deal with store slabs that are per-fabercated to X length and X width. When an order comes in they cut from the stock that is on hand to make it fit your order. So you end up with many small pieces and odd seams. No such thing as a "Custom" counter when dealing with Laminate. Cut to fit is about as custom as it gets.

Sure hope that the counters that you have mounted now were not glued or screwed down yet. You need all of the pieces to test fit and do any "tweking" (minor adjustments, grinding etc) before the edges are epoxied and glued down permanently.
srb2015
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for your reply. The counters aren't fully attached yet; we're waiting to get the missing peices first.
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zorroslw1
9 years ago
I think they could have done a better job. I have a corner sink and there are only 2 small seams that are really not even noticeable. There is one in the front, middle of the sink about 2 inches long and another at the back left corner of the sink. That one is about 1 inch long and then goes up the backsplash.
jakuvall
9 years ago
You have "post formed" counters where a single sheet of laminate is applied to the top and wraps the front edge. Those are made up in standard size blanks (by machine) which are then cut to size to create the overall shape. With that method you have no seam where th the top face meets the front.
The seams you have are the only way to make that counter configuration with post form tops.

A "hand built " top is the only way to avoid those seams. That would be a square edge, or a bevel edge. In that case the shape is made first, then laminate is applied to the top. Then it is applied to the front edges. It changes seams in the top but you then have a seam along all top edges.

Hand built tops cost a good bit more than post form.
MrsShayne
9 years ago
I'm not sure if that many seams are considered normal but I do think the seams look good. They are barely noticeable...
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
jakuvall nailed it.
Illhhi
9 years ago
This is how a post formed laminate counter is seemed for an angled corner cabinet. In my opinion the seems are barely noticeable, and you received an attractive counter top for $1400.
User
9 years ago
Yes, it's normal to have the seams where you have them. The other option with the seams all around the edge is a worse choice for longevity. The weak spot for any laminate is seams, and water infiltration. You should get many years of use out of that very pretty counter if you just follow some basic precautions. Just be careful not to sit any dishdrainers over the seams, and try to not have any standing water there.
Sybil Strawser
9 years ago
Beautiful pattern! I am considering Spring Carnival for my new white kitchen too.
sjhockeyfan325
9 years ago
It really looks great, even the seams, so I wouldn't be concerned.

Laminate seams around sink... Is this acceptable?

srb2015
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hippy

srb2015
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Laminate seams around sink... Is this acceptable?

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