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Kitchens Remodeling Design Dilemma

Quartzite Backsplash issue - one slab or three pieces?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Hello everyone. We are in the final stages of a major home renovation and have a dilemma with our quartzite backsplash in the kitchen. The plan was to do one large slab (108”by 30”) as the backsplash. Instead, the fabricator put up three pieces that do not match up (as seen in photos). We paid for three slabs and think he was trying to get away with using two. We had also requested photos of the design/layout before it was cut and never received that.
After much back and forth, he has agreed to redo the backsplash - but will not put it up as one slab unless we sign a waiver absolving him of any wrongdoing should the slab crack or crack the countertops.
Based on the quality of work so far, I am concerned with both options - 1.) They will damage it if they put up as one piece or 2.) They cut the slab in three pieces and it does not match up.
We are very grateful for any advice!

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Comments (17)

PRO
Morningstar Stone & Tile
3 years ago
Regarding installation, we would do this in three parts as well. The weight alone for a single piece of quartzite cut to these dimensions makes it both heavy to move/lift and susceptible to breaking when it is moved in into place. As for making the viewing, your fabricator has to be able to get that right. Good luck
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
Is the right hand piece jacked above the counter? Is this a hidden induction range (if so I hope you report back)
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Lisa Fiyod
3 years ago
Where is the stove top? Beautiful quartzite by the way.
Maisy
Original Author
3 years ago
JuneKnow and Morningstar, thank you so much. I should have started using Houzz at the beginning of all this! Hallet and Lisa, he is going to cut in for cooktop... I’m not quite sure what “jacked” means? He did not caulk it as I came in right about then and saw the veining did not match up, so he stopped installation.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
By jacked I just meant the right hand slab has an angled gap where it meets the counter. I would take a discount and move on with the kitchen- you risk real heartache trying to tear this out.
Maisy
Original Author
3 years ago
Hallet, would the heartache be that the countertops would be damaged? The new backsplash will be cut from a new slab. Thanks again for your advice.
lucky998877
3 years ago
I would take this also, and skip almost guaranteed damage to the cabinets if they remove it. Once your cook top and your pot filler are in, that is where your eye will go. I have a tall salt shaker and pepper mill placed where your right side seam is...maybe that will purposely hide it.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
You risk damage to your cabinets in the process of removing the backsplash...
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
Another vote to keep it.
just_janni
3 years ago
Keep it with a discount. they should have been able to line up the pieces and the veining.
decorpatti
3 years ago
I admit I don't know the answer to this: is there a danger of heat from the cooktop damaging the backsplash? I know there was another thread on Houzz that showed damage from heat on a quartz BS, I believe (not quartzite, so maybe not an issue). However, if that were the case, maybe having a separate slab there is a good idea, just in case.
lucky998877
3 years ago
Decorpatti, the heat is an issue with quartz because of the resin in it...this real stone is straight from mother nature :) no worries about heat, being porous with oils...that I don't know.
decorpatti
3 years ago
lucky998877: Thank you! I sort of figured that out after I posted...I guess my fingers got out in front of my brain. It's not the first time I have asked something stupid, I am afraid!
suedonim75
3 years ago
Why is there a gap here? That is the biggest issue to me.
Maisy
Original Author
3 years ago
Hello again everyone! I was so appreciative of everyone’s advice and wanted to circle back to provide an update. We decided to take a chance and replace the quartzite- and we are so much happier with the new result. They cut two pieces instead of three and did them in order from one slab (per the plan- pretty clear they were trying to only use two of our three slabs). I will say the one seam does drive me nuts, but thanks to all of you, I know it is necessary. Lucky, thanks so much for the advice about using something to hide a seam.
Again, thank you so very much for all of the responses.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
Glad it worked out! It really does look much better!
blynndixon
2 years ago
Hi Maisy. Looks great. Glad you were able to get more of the look you wanted. May I ask what kind of quartzite you used? Thanks!

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