San Francisco Bay Area - Need help! Does anyone know if you can have carrara marble edge piece removed due to obvious seam

by lospoblanos

Need help! Does anyone know if you can have carrara marble edge piece removed due to obvious seam

I had honed carrara marble counters installed. The Installer added an extra piece of marble on the edges to create the look of a thicker piece of marble. Unfortunately, the seams are so noticeable. I want to know if this added piece could be removed and if anyone else has experience in this. i just want to have all my info before i approach the installer and he says it is not possible or will not do it. thanks!

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lewis + smith That is unacceptable. He should be able to remove and polish that up. He may need to remove the whole top to do it properly though.

4 months ago · Like

lospoblanos thanks! i had read that heat could be used to loosen the adhesive between the pieces to allow that "extra" piece to be able to be removed. I appreciate your comment very much because I did not want to come across as being "too Picky" to the installer.

4 months ago · Like

Interiors International, Inc. It really doesn't look thicker than normal. Is this a thin 1/4" veneer?

4 months ago · Like

lospoblanos Thank you for commenting. It is honed carrara marble. The middle seam is from adding another piece of marble to allow for a longer overhang on the cabinet.

4 months ago · Like

gingerclaire It looks like a really bad job to me. Is it because he hasn't got the edge perfectly smooth and straight before making the join? I'm pretty sure it can be done so you can barely see the join. I would get him or someone else back to have another attempt.

4 months ago · Like

lospoblanos Thank you gingerclaire! I was thinking the same thing, and thought, you know just take the extra jointed piece off and have it 1 single thickness. That way I will not have any seams!

4 months ago · Like

gingerclaire I think the same thing can be done better, but if you don't mind the actual thickness of the piece of marble I would save yourself the hassle and just remove it. You will still have to get the edges smooth though. How thick is your marble?

4 months ago · Like

lospoblanos a single piece would be 1 1/4 inch thickness. The added piece makes it 2.5 inches thick.

4 months ago · Like

lospoblanos here is another picture

4 months ago · Like

lospoblanos also do you notice how the veining is not consistent? Do you think I am being to picky about this or is my unhappiness with the results legitimate?

4 months ago · Like

gingerclaire Have a look at this blog - I've seen a lot of slim worktops recently in the UK... It can look good with the right cabinets.

http://blog.latitudeonline.ca/default.aspx?Tag=Counter%20top%20thickness

4 months ago · Like

gingerclaire You aren't being unreasonable at all.

4 months ago · Like ·

lospoblanos Thank you so much Gingerclaire. I have a smaller kitchen and the thinner countertops may open the space even more. I appreciate you sharing the article with me. very helpful!

4 months ago · Like

DeWitt Architects No it looks bad, is not good quality, and I would remove it. We don't often build up marble edges unless we miter the edge down. Mitered edges on marble and granite takes some skill to match the graining. The built up edge may be covering up exposed plywood. If that is the case, make a thin marble trim piece to set back against the plywood or cover it with a trim piece that matches the cabinets.

4 months ago · Like

lospoblanos Thank you DeWitt Architects. I feel the same way. I have painted wood cabinets so I could work with the single thickness for the countertop. I just hope that he can remove the "added piece" without having to take off all the countertops. Do you know how the installer could remove the "added piece"?

4 months ago · Like

lospoblanos I read on another blog about an install of carrara marble countertops where the seams like mine on the overhang were bad. The installer came out used heat to help the adhesive release and removed the added piece. have you heard of this?

4 months ago · Like

gingerclaire It would really depend on what sort of adhesive had been used by your installer. Can you find an empty tub of the offending product?

4 months ago · Like

artemis1 I believe what you are describing is a laminated edge. The seam should be barely detectable. The piece in the top picture looks terribly pieced together, like there wasn't enough marble to finish the job. Looks like a poor install to me.

4 months ago · Like ·

lospoblanos No Gingerclaire i cant, but i can ask!

4 months ago · Like

lospoblanos Thank you artemis1. I want to have the added piece of marble on the bottom removed as to have a single thickness countertop. I agree a poor install for sure. I am disappointed but at least I can do something about it for sure!

4 months ago · Like ·

artemis1 For sure! And you are not being picky. Whatever it takes, they better fix it to your liking.

4 months ago · Like ·

lospoblanos Thank you! I know sometimes things are such a fight even when they are obvious!

4 months ago · Like