The gap between your new, and beautiful, kitchen counter tops and your old cabinets can be caused by a series of things. The most common cause is one that applies to older cabinets, over time cabinets shift, morph, and deteriorate. This causes low, and high points in your cabinet’s surface. When installers sit leveled granite, on this hilly surface, it leaves the gap that we all HATE. Another cause, which may be observed even in new cabinets, is a factory flaw. Sometimes the cabinet’s surface can come badly leveled out of the box! And just like in the last scenario, we are left with the notorious GAP.
But don’t panic just yet!
First of all the little gap left by the badly leveled cabinets and the stone, will not affect the stone’s natural strength. Experienced installers know how each stone behaves, and what kind of support is needed for your counter tops to safely rest on your cabinets. Most of the time, when cabinets are uneven, installers will use plastic or wooden shims to support the stone from underneath. These shims are secured, and serve to support the edges of the stone to ensure a sturdy base.
Secondly, the gap left between the stone and cabinets, does NOT mean that your stone was cut wrong. Yes, slabs do have a natural undulation, but for the most part the stone is perfectly flat.
If the gap between the stone and your cabinets is over three eighths of an inch, an installer might recommend shimming the cabinets from underneath. This will raise your cabinets just enough, so that the stone has a strong base to sit on. This service will cost though, so if you feel that your cabinets have too much wear and tear, it’s best to have a cabinetry company take a closer look at them.
But what can you do if you ARE left with a small gap?
If you’ve come this far and the little gap is still haunting you, there are a few routes you can take.
1) You can ask the installer to seal the gap with caulk, or silicone.
2) You can buy and ornamental molding, and have a handyman cover the gap right up!
–Well there it is folks, all you need to know about that notorious gap! Overall, your best bet is to hire an experienced and knowledgeable. At Economic Granite, we have over 20 years of experience. We’ve worked with all materials, and understand the intricacies of the trade. Learn more about our options for kitchen countertops or give us a call for a free estimate!