Any reason not to do runnels in marble?

9 years ago

I'm still working on my sink and countertop decisions. We are leaning strongly towards a kohler stages 45 sink and honed carrara marble counters.

So, now I'm liking the idea of runnels. I'll have to ask about the cost, but the carrara is inexpensive enough that I think I can probably spring for the runnels if I want them.

I have read threads and know that I need to ask for them to be wide and shallow for cleaning purposes. And that closer together is better so a glass won't tip if set down on the runnels.

Should I be concerned about chipping at the runnels? Or any other problems or disadvantages?

Thank you!

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Comments (12)

palimpsest
9 years ago
I had runnels in my soapstone counters and they were fine, they were just wide enough to run a towel wrapped finger in.

I'm not sure why you would need them with the Kohler stages sink, the tray side would take the place of a counter area with runnels I would think.
Nothing Left to Say
Original Author
9 years ago
Well, I'm envisioning that the tray side might be holding a colander of fruit draining or some meat thawing and the runnels could have a couple of dishes drying on the other side of the sink?

Thank you!
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sena01
9 years ago
If you have chalky water, you may need to dry the runnels regularly.
eam44
9 years ago
They will be more likely to chip, and they have to be cleaned - so that's two reasons. Wouldn't you rather have a smooth drainboard?
Nothing Left to Say
Original Author
9 years ago
Is chalky water the same as hard water? We have soft water.
Nothing Left to Say
Original Author
9 years ago
More likely to chip than other countertop materials--like soapstone? No, I definitely do not want a drain board as that would render that section of countertop unusable for other tasks. The appeal of runnels to me is that the countertop is still flat in effect so I could lay a cutting board on it, etc and still use it as countertop.

Thank you everyone!
sena01
9 years ago
Yes, I meant hard water. If you have soft water it may be OK to have them. We have hard water and I got tired of drying the runnels so changed my countertop last year (just a small counter). I had no chips, but I'm not familiar with marbles you have there (I'm not in the US).
eam44
9 years ago
Your question reads, "should I be concerned about chipping at the runnels." The answer to that question is "yes." Chipping can be an issue with any natural stone and with engineered quartz.

You're welcome
mama goose_gw zn6OH
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
(This link) is to an older kitchen-in-progress that has both--runnels and a drainboard, in marble. Although the member hasn't posted recently, I always think of her kitchen when someone asks about runnels in marble.
PRO
Granite City Services
9 years ago
I am a fabricator.

The runnels will be equally likely to chip as any other part of the countertop with the same radius on the top edge. Marble is chipped relatively easily compared to other countertop materials. You might want to specify a rounded top edge for the runnels as this will substantially reduce the opportunity for chipping and won't appreciably affect the usability of that area.
Nothing Left to Say
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you all!
eam44
9 years ago
Mama, I love that kitchen too! It was one of my clippings in the old days. She chose runnels on one side and a drainboard on the other - so clever.

Any reason not to do runnels in marble?

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palimpsest

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Any reason not to do runnels in marble?

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