Is this Kitchen Laminate Worktop joint acceptable?

Head_The_Ball

We are having a new kitchen fitted. The worktop is L shaped and therefore requires a mitered joint.

In the 12 year old kitchen we have just ripped, which had a very similar granite effect laminate worktop, the joint was almost invisible and was smooth to the touch all along the joint.

The new worktop has a more visible joint and there is a definite ridge between the sections, especially along the curved edge section as shown in the picture below.

Apart from the appearance we are concerned that airborne moisture, spilled water etc will quickly penetrate the joint and damage the laminate.

What do you think?

Tothepoint.

It certainly looks wider along the length of the 45.

Can you feel a difference in height or just the joint?

Have they put any colourfill in the joint? If so it won't come apart easy.

FreeBear

Joint doesn't look too bad - Had a similar issue with a worktop I installed a couple of years back. Used some black wax to fill the top of the joint which rendered it virtually invisible.

No issues with damp.

For a suitable wax stick, something like - http://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/product/wax-filler-sticks

krey

that joint looks as good as it can look, it's a laminate chipboard crap what they are cutting, even with the best blades there is, it will still get a tiny tearout.

Head_The_Ball

Tothepoint. wrote: »

It certainly looks wider along the length of the 45.

Can you feel a difference in height or just the joint?

Have they put any colourfill in the joint? If so it won't come apart easy.

Yes, there is a definite height difference that is easily noticeable by eye and also clearly felt with a finger nail or even a finger tip.

I don't know what adhesive or sealant they used. I don't think it was Colourfill but I will check.

This is not a cheap kitchen. The units are from Masterclass Kitchens. The worktop is by Prima.

We didn't choose laminate just because it is cheaper. We looked at the more expensive options of Granite, Corian etc but chose this laminate as we preferred the appearance and we had laminate in our previous kitchen for 16 years without a problem. It looked as good the day we sold the house as it did when installed.

The kitchen company are a reputable and well established local independent. The work so far, and the kitchen is almost finished, is to a very high standard and overall we are very pleased. They are doing everything, supply, fitting, electrics, plumbing, tiling etc. and there are no issues with any of that so far apart from the worktop.

We are sure they will sort out the laminate joint issue to our satisfaction.

We just want to make sure our expectations are not too high before we approach them about it on Monday.

Thanks for your comments. :beer:

dirty_magic

Personally I'd say it looks fine from just looking at the picture, but if you're not happy speak to them and see what they say. If you don't get anywhere try what freebear suggested.

andyhop

The joint is probably as good as its going to get

If it's flat along her the straight part of the joint then it's probably a defect with the worktop

Prima is part of the Formica group, he bulk of there range is the low end of the market .

Norman_Castle

Hard to tell from a picture but it looks ok. The two pieces should certainly be level.

Head_The_Ball

andyhop wrote: »

The joint is probably as good as its going to get

If it's flat along her the straight part of the joint then it's probably a defect with the worktop

Prima is part of the Formica group, he bulk of there range is the low end of the market.

Our own experience of various laminate tops is that you can get a near perfect joint that is almost invisible and can barely be detected by a fingernail or finger tip.

The worktop that we have just removed was made by Prima. It was 12 years old, installed when the house was built in 2004 and still looked almost new when removed. The joint in it was still perfect with no sign of water penetration, blowing or lifting.

We do expect the same for our new worktop and will raise the issue with the kitchen company.

Thanks for all your comments.

Head_The_Ball

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Hard to tell from a picture but it looks ok. The two pieces should certainly be level.

The picture doesn't really show how poor the joint is but is the best I can do.

We really were expecting better than this.

It is a pity as we are very pleased with everything else in the new kitchen.

missile

Joint looks good to me. I have seen much worse in kitchen showrooms.