Straight butt join on long run

by **roxy002** on Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:53 pm

I am currently fitting a kitchen, and the customer has basically told me that I have made a mistake and should order a new worktop at my own expense! She said that she is not happy with what I have done and cant understand what I was thinking of. Here is the situation:

Along one wall we have, a 600 larder, 150 pullout base, 700 for drier, 700 for washer, 1000 drawerline base, 1000 sink base, 600 dishwasher. This totals to 4150. The worktop length is 4100 duropal. So I thought the natural thing to do, would be to cut the 4100 and put a join somewhere over the 1000 drawerline. Obviously, it would be bolted, and sealed with silicone and colorfill for a nice tight join that would not be noticed. I decided against putting a small 50mm piece on the end to make up the length, as in my own opinion and a mate of mine (kitchen fitter) thought, that is something that you just dont do. Especially if you have the materials to join to decent lengths together.

Anyway, she saw this and told me that it is no good. She said that she doesnt want a join in the middle of her kitchen, as over the years it would become weak due to water.(Even though it is a fair distance from the sink) She also said that, no matter how good your join is, it will always be seen! And that, you arent meant to cut into a 4100 length as thats why they are made that long as to go on a full run, and you join whatever is needed on the end. But how many kitchens need more than 4100 of worktop in one run anyway?

What is your opinion on this? Would you have done the same, or just stuck a 50mm piece on the end?

by **timfoley** on Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:45 am

Roxy,
I sympathise with you as this isn't the perfect solution and wherever the joint is located it would be visible. Certainly, if this was a granite top then two longer sections would be better than one short insubstantial piece to make up the length and I have to say that if it had been my decision alone then I would have preferred the same.
Unfortunately the one thing missing here is client consultation and their prior approval of the method you advised.
I do think the client is under some misapprehension that all will look better with a shorter piece jointed when it won't, nor will it make a top less vulnerable to water ingress if any spillage isn't wiped up immediately.
Providing you have sealed the joint tight and as level as possible then my choice and I guess the chice of most fitters would be the same as you made. How you reconcile this with your client is beyond me unless you discussed the potential issue with her first and she expressed the alternative then it's infuriating and frustrating but you may have to take the hit knowing it won't make any beneficial difference other than a happier client.
Tim

by **roxy002** on Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:06 pm

Thankyou for your reply and advice. I have spoken to her today, and she decided to get a second opinion before her final decison was made. Fortunately, the fitter she spoke with, did actually confirm that what intend to do is OK as long as the join is done correctly. The join is 800mm from the sink, so if done properly I think will be fine.

In my opinion, I just thought that sticking a piece that small gives the impression that you have ran out of worktop, so just stuck an offcut on the end to make it up. Also, if using bolts, I cant imagine that using a piece that size will withstand the pressure when tightened up!

Once again, thankyou.

Straight butt join on long run

Straight butt join on long run

Re: Straight butt join on long run

Re: Straight butt join on long run

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