Replies

1. 
   CAGIV | Sep 03, 2007 07:08am | #1

   What is the thickness of the Granite you are installing.  If it's 3cm then you do not need plywood. 

   

2. 
   Karl | Sep 03, 2007 07:23am | #2

   5/8" ply if you are going with a laminated edge (2+2cm).

   I actually prefer when the client has not cut the sink in. Unless given other instructions I go on the assumption that they want it centered in the sink base and merely mark the centerline of the cabinet on my template. When I dry fit the finished countertops I run a pencil around the inside of the sink cut out to transfer it's precise location to the subtop and cut it out after pulling the dry fit pieces of granite off.

   I also mark the locations of the faucet and accessory drillings on the template and drill them at the shop. I then use the dry fit countertops as a guide to drill out the plywood subtop.

   All this is a lot easier than trying to make small left/right/front/back adjustments in the location of the precut sink hole or drillings if the dryfit tops are a hair off.

   Ultimately ask your fabricator what he wants prepped.

   My big pet peeve is when the client doesn't know how many holes they want drilled and where they want them located. It is much faster, cleaner and easier if I can drill them at the shop.

   Another pet peeve is when the client cuts out the sink hole and routers out the plywood 1/16' for the sink flange. Ultimately it creates a gap between the sink and granite unless I am clamping the sink to the granite without any support coming from the plywood.

   karl

1. 
   Tark | Sep 03, 2007 08:45am | #3

   5/8" it is. I plan on a laminated edge. I'll just get the sink and faucet, so the fabricator knows what they have to work with, and go from there.ThanksTark

2. 
   Matt | Sep 03, 2007 12:43pm | #4

   >>  5/8" ply if you are going with a laminated edge (2+2cm). <<

   OK - pardon my ignorance...   the 2+2 cm means that the granite top is 2 cm thick and the edge treatment is glued on to make a total of 4cm showing at the edge?  I'm assuming the reason for going with 2cm is to save money?  I've only seen 3cm around here.

   Roughly, what is the price reduction for 2cm vs going with 3cm granite?  would it be something like $50 a sq ft vs $70 a ft for 3cm?  Do you feel that the 2 cm plus plywood is a good way to go, or are there potential problems down the road, like maybe a cracked slab?

   and, what grade of plywood is recommended?  Obviously one has to subtract out the price of the ply and labor to install it from the savings of the thinner granite...

   And finally, I see discount granite suppliers on the internet.  Is this really a feasible route?  Maybe they get a local installer to install it?  Seems risky to me...

1. 
   Karl | Sep 03, 2007 08:33pm | #5

   the main reason for going with 2cm is it allows larger sections to be installed without seams. For me as a fabricator 3cm is easier in all respects except moving and lifting the material (and to a small extent cutting out openings). I can handle pieces up to 25 sq ft in 2cm without doing anything extraordinary but am limited to more like 15 sq ft in the 3cm.I have installed islands that are 5' by 9' in the past and it isn't that tough it just requires having extra guys on site and special lifting equipment. Saving that 1cm of thickness makes a huge difference in the lifting challenges.As a matter of personal taste I prefer the 4cm thickness of a built up edge over the 3cm thickness. Also I like the 2cm deep polished sink cut out better in terms of aesthetics. This may just be because I have looked at so much 2cm granite that it is just what I am accustomed to.I think most fabricators using 3cm stone use it because it is cheaper than 2cm to fabricate.Karl

1. 
   CAGIV | Sep 03, 2007 09:24pm | #6

   What part of the country are you in?

   It may be regional, around me (30 miles west of KC) we hardly if ever see 2cm Granite tops, don't think the remodeling company I work for has ever installed one.

   Is 2CM more likely to fracture while transporting or installting then 3CM?  Largest top we've set in one piece was 10' long x just over 3' wide.  took four of us but wasn't brutal.

    

1. 
   Karl | Sep 04, 2007 06:50am | #9

   I am in northern california. I think 95 percent of all the slabs coming into the port of oakland are 2cm.I don't find 2cm any more vulnerable in transit. In fact I worry more I might overestimate the ability to carry or lift a 3 cm slab and drop it by accident.In Stone World magazine I recall seeing an ad for 1cm slabs with fiber reinforcing on the backside to use in shower surrounds and other vertical applications. It would be a breeze to move those around.I think the thinner slabs are all about being able to move large pieces easily.karl

3. 
   Kowboy | Sep 03, 2007 11:34pm | #7

   Tark:

   This guy wishes he hadn't put plywood under 2CM granite:

   http://www.stoneadvice.com/forum/giant-islands-cracking-t9018.html

    

   Kowboy

4. 
   MikeMicalizzi | Sep 04, 2007 06:22am | #8

   A granite counter normally just sits directly on the base cabinets, no plywood, and the granite installer is the one who usually glues the sink on

1. 
   Geoffrey | Sep 04, 2007 07:36am | #10

   Mike,

   For the North East, that may be true, but for West coast and other regions they use ply (and a thinner stone).

                                             Geoff

1. 
   MikeMicalizzi | Sep 05, 2007 04:39am | #12

   Geoff,

   That's interesting, I had no clue. I'm curious as to how that looks and how they go about conceiling any of the exposed edges of the ply.

   I see you're in Hartford, that's cool, I'm in Waterbury.

2. 
   Tark | Sep 04, 2007 08:55pm | #11

   Its been a while since I've worked on a kitchen with a granite slab top. Maybe techniques have changed, as last I remember we always put plywood down. I'll just wait until I get the granite vendor in and see what he wants. Tark