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Standard acceptable gap between counter and wall?

8 years ago

The saga of my counters never ends it seems. They just placed (not installed yet thankfully) our master bathroom vanity top in place. There's almost a half-inch gap on one side and about a quarter inch on the other. My GC is trying to tell me they are going to fill this with caulk (!). That's one monster bead of caulk if you ask me. Before I go to the countertop people, is there a published standard acceptable gap between wall and counter?

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PRO

Joseph Corlett, LLC

5 years ago

"The countertop in one area is not even touching the cabinet tops."

Your top is going to break again if he's spanned too far without support.

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Comments (11)

cpartist
8 years ago
That's a big gap. You might want to also ask on the bath forum.
lakeviewgirl
8 years ago
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.
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Are the cabinets level in each direction? Meaning -- is this the wall out of plumb, or the cabinets? If it's the wall, I think your best bet with a gap that size would be to replace the countertop with one that can be custom fit to the wall along the back side. Butcherblock would be one inexpensive option, assuming you have woodworking tools (Ikea carries butcherblock for a very reasonable price). If you can't cut the top or have someone else do it, then you could use a separate backsplash -- not one that is part of the countertop -- and depending on its thickness it might cover a lot of that gap. Tile wouldn't cover much, but a butcherblock or laminate one would be about 3/4" thick if memory serves.
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The side splash is 3 cm thick and appears to be of a different slab/year (the veining is less white and less crisp/no small veins). Can it be milled thinner? Every inch counts in this kitchen. Black caulk might look better, am concerned about the fridge panel getting damaged at this point. And the bead of caulk doesn’t extend the inch past the cabinets/sits on the white cabinet. Photo of the other side for context. I am paying nearly $3000 for a 8x9” galley. MSI marquina midnight. We thought we might tile the backsplash eventually so asked for scribed to the wall as though we’d do no backsplash to give us the most options. Also, MSI minimum radius is 3/8.” Sink is still a little offset from cutout, silicone seeping out, cut areas a bit duller finish than gloss areas).
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Is the gap consistent front to back? That looks to be a snitch under 1/4" which while it could be together I do not think is unacceptable (especially if the wall is not straight and most are not). The caulk color is unacceptable and that you have the right to complain about. Just my .02.
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kiwi_bird
Original Author
8 years ago
That's the gap on the sides. Even if we had them put side splashes on, it still doesn't cover the vanity all the way to the wall.
Rachel (Zone 7A + wind)
8 years ago
This gap is on the left and right sides or on the back side left and back side right?

If on the left and right sides the counter top was cut to short in length.
kiwi_bird
Original Author
8 years ago
The gap is on the left and right sides, and yes, the piece is too short. Just wondering if there is an industry standard I can reference when I talk to them.
sjhockeyfan325
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
There is an industry standard and it's been posted here (or in Kitchens) before - it's something like 1/8". Hopefully one of the pros will chime in.

From the Marble Institute of America -

Joints at Materials Transition. Visible

joints between stone and other materials

(e.g., cabinetry, gypsum wall board) shall be

1/8", with a tolerance of ±1/16" (±1.5

mm), and filled with a soft, elastic material.
kiwi_bird
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you all very much! I talked to them and they're going to put some side splashes up which should pretty much take care of it. Thank you!
Ginger Medley
5 years ago
Our contractor left a 1/2 inch gap between countertop & backsplash along with not squaring up the kitchen cabinets, The countertop in one area is not even touching the cabinet tops. The contractor stated that this is within industry standards. His remedy was to file in the gap with caulk.

I am glad I found this website. Thanks
M
5 years ago
Did the fabricator actually template the countertops? That's the only way to make sure that they get scribed to the walls. You can't just measure the room and cut a slab. No house is perfectly square, ever. If the contractor cut corners (sic!), you should hold him responsible to come back and do the job correctly.
Ginger Medley
5 years ago
Contractor broke countertop when removing had to be repaired. No template done. We installed the countertops and cabinets the first time we remodeled the kitchen everything has squared. He also did not get a permit for the electrical or foundation.

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