Seams are often a major concern for homeowners installing new kitchen countertops. However, they are almost inevitable in modern kitchens. The exception is island counters, which can be seamless with the right dimensions. Smaller homes with compact kitchens might also suit seamless countertops. But in larger, modern kitchens, avoiding seams is more challenging. It’s crucial to understand that seams are not always a negative aspect. In fact, they can be beneficial.
Weight and Size
The two biggest enemies to seamless countertops are weight and size. Weight isn’t so much of an issue when you’re dealing with plastic laminates or wood. It is definitely not an issue with concrete. But if you are talking granite, marble, or quartz, weight is a big issue. Natural and engineered stone products can weigh as much as 20 lbs. per square foot. A typical 10-foot slab of granite can weigh 1,000 pounds.
The heavier the countertop, the more difficult it is to manage. Installers can injure themselves working on pieces that are too heavy. But then there is the size issue as well. You need to get countertops into the house. What if they are too big?
Size is usually a big problem when you are talking about U-shaped countertops. Going seamless could leave you wrestling with a single-piece unit, just to get it into the house without breaking it. That is not always as easy as it sounds.
The Cutout Issue
There is one more issue to consider when you are talking seams for kitchen countertops: cutouts. As tough as granite and marble are, they tend to be brittle. Cutting a section out to accommodate a cooktop or sink leaves it with less structural integrity than a solid slab. Installing it, without breaking it, could be a challenge.
There is less of an issue with quartz, but it is still risky to go with a seamless piece when working with cutouts. You are better off strategically placing seams and then taking the necessary steps to hide them as much as possible.
Inconspicuous But Not Invisible
We understand homeowner concerns about clearly visible countertop seams. Homeowners don’t want to see the seams if they can be avoided. We get it. But sometimes we wonder if customers get the wrong impression from big box DIY home centers that have a tendency to promise invisible seams if you buy their products.
An experienced installer knows how to make seams inconspicuous. But no countertop seam is invisible. Look closely enough, and you will see it. The idea behind achieving the best aesthetic is to place seams where they will be less noticeable and then install the product in such a way as to make them as inconspicuous as possible.
Seams are generally bonded with epoxy. They are more easily hidden around cooktops, for example. Another way to make seams less conspicuous is to go with a pattern that has less aggressive veining.
Completely seamless countertops are rare in this day and age, especially with larger kitchens being the norm. If you are planning to install new natural or engineered stone countertops, don’t sweat the same issue. Go with a trusted supplier and contractor with a good reputation. You will get inconspicuous seams in a new countertop you will be proud of.
Contact us today or visit one of our Utah showrooms to learn more about building your custom kitchen.
