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Remodeling Kitchens

Quartzite countertop installation - underlayment with foam board?

2 years ago

We recently had a new slab installed on our island, which included a mitered edge at 6cm. The underlayment build up seems to be a 1/4" sheet of plywood, a 1" sheet of insulation board, then another sheet ot 1/4" plywood. I have never seen or heard of underlayment being done like this and wondered if anyone else has experience with this type of underlayment installation? Also, the bottom layer of plywood is not sticking to the insulation board, so it is hanging down already. I could glue it back, but I am more concerned with the strength if the install.

Any insight or comments would be helpful. I am going to speak to the company on Monday, but wanted to get some unbiased info from a forum as well.

Thank you!

post installation

Foam board sandwich

hanging wood

Before installation

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Comments (9)

mama goose_gw zn6OH
2 years ago
I don't know the answer to your question, but I just wanted to say--oh, what beautiful stone!!
Chris Ray
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you! We love it.
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PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
2 years ago
Chris:

Sorry, I meant the crap underlayment. The stone is fine.
PRO
Granite City Services
2 years ago
i am a fabricator for 20 some years and have never even heard of it being done that way. Additionally, that "sandwich" is providing zero structural support to the overhang. I can't tell from your pics how large the overhang is but if its the typical 12 or so inches you need robust structural support particularly on a brittle stone like quartzite. This was no doubt an expensive island; you should insist on corrective action.
millworkman
2 years ago
That might possibly be one of the biggest hillbilly ideas I have ever scene or heard of. Completely useless for anything substantial.
User
2 years ago
Large format porcelain uses foam substrates all the time. You're essentially creating an engineered structural panel with rigid materials sandwiching foam.

But that is just janky, and doesn’t at all meet any standards for an ”engineered panel”.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
2 years ago
Swami Joe can predict the future. With the lack of structural support, gravity is going to pull the center of that cantilever downward. When it does, the stress will be relieved by a crack from the cooktop corner to the cantilevered edge. Guaranteed.
Chris Ray
Original Author
2 years ago
I have addressed this with the fabricator and they are sending out a crew tomorrow to replace the subtop. I will report the results. Thank you everyone!
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
2 years ago
If they don't show up with a custom 1" square tube steel frame with the welds ground, kick 'em off the job. No plywood. Junk.

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