FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

where to put seam in marble counter

wolffdog | Posted in General Discussion on March 20, 2012 04:29am

I am putting in a marble counter. I am getting conflicting opinions on where to put the seam. One fabricator wants to put it in the middle of the sink. I am not crazy about this, and some other fabricators say they do not put it in the middle of the sink, as over time with exposure to water, the seam wil weaken and discolor. Your wisdom is apreciated.

Reply

Replies

  1. calvin | Mar 20, 2012 06:15pm | #1

    Wolf

    Do what you want to do and are comfortable with.

    Personally, many marble's are a stain waiting to happen-much more so than granite.

    If you don't want a small seam at the sink-go with the larger seam wherever else the size of the slab permits it.

  2. DanH | Mar 20, 2012 08:05pm | #2

    From the fabricator/installer's standpoint, if the seam isn't in the middle of the sink, the sink hole must be cut out and kept from breaking while the slab is installed.  This is certainly possible but requires more work and adds more risk of a botched job and need for an expensive redo.  But that's not your problem, it's theirs.

  3. KDESIGN | Mar 20, 2012 09:02pm | #3

    How does a seam in the middle work with the faucet being in the middle?  Or am I missing something?  I would absolutely not want a seam running through the sink.  I had custom cabinets made and installed, and then a granite countertop and stainless steel sink installed.  I had to fight with everybody involved at every turn.   I had to take the floor cabinets out and reinstall them to get them level.  I had the sink set back a bit further to get about 4" of granite width in front.  The granite installers worked like a drill team, and did a good job, but you have to keep an eye on the silicone work.   

  4. wolffdog | Mar 24, 2012 09:05pm | #4

    seam in marble

    Thanks for the respnses. As it is now, the seam will not be in the middle of the sink. It just worked out that way due to the size of the slab. I am happy, as I am convinced that although the seam is smaller by the sink, it will discolor and be somewhat weaker at this point, thouhg I am sure otherswill disagree.

    1. IdahoDon | Mar 24, 2012 09:21pm | #5

      Seams take 10 minutes to redue if it turns color over time, but I don't see many seams that need to be redone even years after installation so I think you're over thinking this.   Seams at the sink cutout are very common and not a big sourse of problems so I wouldn't worry about it either.

  5. Geoffrey | Mar 24, 2012 11:32pm | #6

    Seam Centered on sink

    Ditto what Don said......also IF your seam DID discolor over time, it would be far more noticible running

    the full depth of the counter and require more time and effort to clean and re-seam.

    Geoff

    Celebrating 10 yrs... tonite!  :)

    1. DanH | Mar 25, 2012 12:00am | #7

      The seam is much less likely to discolor if it's not right at the sink.  And a seam at the sink draws attention to itself -- far less noticeable elsewhere.

  6. florida | Mar 25, 2012 05:29pm | #8

    Installers usually put seams in the middle of the sink because that's where they are most invisible. The part behind the faucet is almost completely out of sight and the front seam is only 2 inches long. Since the pieces are expoxied together it isn't going to crack or discolor. But I'm equally sure your installer will be glad to make the seam wherever you want to pay for it to be.

    1. Marc32 | May 06, 2012 09:38am | #9

      Personally I would try to avoid placing a seam in sink. I have marble and limestone throught my house. I used marble in the kitchen and contrary to what some have posted no stains.

      As for the seam in the sink, what thickness are you using for counters? A 2cm or 3cm? If you place a seam in the sink you need to worry about the seam breaking there's not a lot go stone sitting with 3.5 to 4.5 inches of stone on the front and about 4-5 inches of stone on the back. Not to mention you will most likely have a disposal and my case I ended using a larger size. The vibration of the disposal is not helping. If your using a single faucet, your drilling into the seam, which will cause problems down the road. Also key item is your cabinet installation are they flat and level? 

      Getting a counter run with a sink cutout is not difficult it does require a bit more handling any qualified fabricator can do it. Don't let them tell you otherwise. It may require a different seam layout depending on the size slab pieces you are working with. If the current fabricator can't do it, you may want to look elsewhere. 

      When my kitchen was done, my island counter is 169" with two sink cutouts. So no marble existed in one piece. We ended placing a seam between our sinks and the fabricator lined up the seams, kind of butterfly the joint. To this day I still receive many compliments. 

      Good luck and enjoy that counter top!

      Cheers,

      Marc

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Kimberley Robles, Decorative Concrete

In this interview, Kimberley talks about the importance of proper training, current concrete trends in the Bay Area, and the history of racist housing policy in San Francisco.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

Learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 548: PRO TALK With Design/Build Operations Manager Jessica Bishop-Smyser
  • Strategies for Venting a Roof Valley
  • Podcast 547: Basement Insulation, Historic Preservation Resources, and Shipping Container ADUs
  • Podcast 547: Members-only Aftershow—Fine Homebuilding House memories

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer
  • Issue 310 - October 2022
    • Choosing a Tile-Leveling System
    • Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs
    • Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in