Kitchen: Quartz Backsplash Install Unhappy
Hello everyone! I am hoping to get some feedback for a relative of mine who recently did a kitchen update. The specific issue is their quartz kitchen backsplash. I drove up to visit them, and I took some pictures of what was done by the installers.
The seams - caulking/grout does not look well at one particular point. Especially compared to the other 2 seams on the wall. There is a “hole” in the material. Also, the walls are very wavy/bowed on one side due to electrical work change - I think. Though the template person did see it and it was mentioned to him. Plus the building is decades old (condo so there are multiple units).
1. What is your opinion on the seam work?
2. Gap at back of wall due to wavy/bowed wall? Fixable or OK as is? Honestly, if they hadn’t of pointed it out to me, I would not have even noticed it. There is something in that corner and unless you remove it, no one sees that gap. I don‘t think its that big of a deal. Though he paid a pretty penny for it.
3. Unevenness, slight slant typical at upper cabinet?
4. Hole in the material.
5. Seam at sink is pretty noticeable. Is this usual? I’ve seem some photos of others and it seems as if its a commonplace thing.
6. Outlet hole cutouts aren’t uniform. Should they be exact? I believe the fabricator cut it by water or so.
Overall, they like it. These imperfections have dampened the high of their initial love for it. Those of us that have seen it in person or Zoom/Skype don’t notice it as much because we don’t live there. However, that seam does look bad. They might put a non vented hood over the range to block the unevenness of the slab there.
Thanks for the feedback, I hope, so I can pass it on!
Comments (6)
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Comments (27)your interest really was in the look of the space.....which is valid. Even after accomplishing the switch to a range or that kind of upgrade, one can still be unhappy with their space if every time they walk by or walk into it, the old surfaces jar your nerves and personal aesthetic. But the space really would have me looking at a whole appliance package, and ditto the range on the perimeter concept. Yes-fridge/dishwasher AND range....figure something out with above range microwave or hood with maybe small countertop microwave. And once that "package" got worked through the budget, think about the perimeter in laminate or solid surface and maybe a contrast for the island of quartz or butcher block . I might consider Ikea or a basic butcher block for everywhere-it can be really reasonable....knowing you may do a "gut" remodel later. Just enjoy the wood look, oil it up frequently right away....and just let it take the wear and tear knowing the counters and cabinets will be replaced. I would probably even just leave the painted wall for backsplash....with the decent cabinets and some new hardware and either laminate or wood on counters, and new appliances, you'd be really in a good position for a while....See MoreKitchen Backsplash Install
Comments (16)Here’s the thing, you don’t have to convince her, she already knows the installation is bad. She’s trying to convince you to go with it to save her the cost of the tear out and a whole new installation. How do you get her to take responsibility for this when she is trying to wiggle out of it? I’m sorry, I’m not great at this, but you absolutely have to tell her what is wrong and how you want it made right, you have to put the pertinent facts in writing, then see how it goes. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING FROM THIS POINT ON. Take images with a tape measure showing the grout line thickness wherever it is less that 1/8”. Download the installation specs and highlight that the minimum grout joint must be 1/8”. That tile was supposed to be sealed before installation. If it wasn’t, that’s another error on their part. It’s that simple, and that difficult. This is not your fault. You should not feel bad that you are asking for this to be done properly. That said, you might want to give her the option of paying for your tile and for the installation, and whatever it costs to get you back to smooth drywall, and removing the backsplash from her scope of work. You could then rethink the tile, and choose another installer....See MoreQuartz window sill - install before or after backsplash tile?
Comments (5)It doesn't matter that much. In fact, it my be better if the sill went in first so the tile at the jambs (if there is any) could die on top of it. Have the sill installer leave the returned ends proud of the wall enough that the tiler can get thinset, tile, and a 1/16" gap for silicone behind them. This is where trade coordination is critical. I'd have the tiler dab hot melt on a small piece of blocking on the wall that's the thickness of the thinset, tile, and gap. Sill man butts the return ends to the blocking and the tile man knocks out the blocking when he lays the tile. Sill man templated to the blocking; no way to screw up....See Morekitchen renovation- quartz backsplash
Comments (18)@loobab: The hood system is supposed to capture and contain. To capture it has to overlap rising and expanding cooking plumes. While these can be somewhat constrained by the wall behind, and cabinets on the sides, it is best to aim for overlap all around. This requires that the contour of all possible pans and pots grow with height above the cooktop at the plume expansion angle. We might use 10 degrees from vertical for this angle. Hence the same capture efficiency at height2 greater than height1 will require a larger hood. Where cross drafts are common, an even larger capture area may be required. As an approximation to all this, for hoods not higher than 36 inches, overlapping the range (not the pans) by 3 inches all around is deemed reasonable. It is, however, up to the customer to determine his or her best trade among performance, cost, and aesthetics. 'Good enough' is also a personal choice....See More
PROJoseph Corlett, LLC
3 years agoAnneMari Kepton
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoThanks everyone for your responses. I‘ve just gotten a few more photos sent to me. This time from more of a distance.
They are duplicates. One with the overhead light in the kitchen tuned on = light above sink, under cabinet and ones without that light on. From what he was telling me, they tend to use that particular light in their kitchen more than the light from the proper light switch. I think that may be enhancing the “flaws” that they see.
@Joseph Corlett, LLC do you advise that they contact the installer to fill the hole, or should/can they do this themselves? I think its been about 16 days from initial install.
@Sammie J Just got photos taken a bit further away.
@The Kitchen Place @User They were under the impression that a tile backsplash would further accentuate the uneven wall on that side. Luckily none of us noticed it until they moved the large item they have in that corner. The choice of GC is a bit iffy. Thats what I told them. Do you recommend simply leaving it alone at this point or finding another GC? It may just cause more time, money, and stress. I’m of the school of thought that it is what it is at this point. No further aggravation is needed for them Especially because of the potential cost.
Like I said, most of these photos have the under cabinet light on and then off to show the contrast. They mainly use the under cabinet light which highlights the issues they see - well, we all saw.
We all know nothing about remodels/updates or what to expect from them.
User