Hi All,
I have been asked to construct an integrated stone/wood counter for an island. The stone portion is 36″ x 78″ rectangle with 2 1/2″ thick edges and will have an under-mount sink. Stone fabricator providing top with turned down edges all around. I’ve been asked to build a 2 1/2″ thick edge-grain Maple counter to fit around the stone on two sides yielding an island counter dimension of approx. 5′ x 10′. The surfaces are to be flush when finished. Anyone have experience with this? Comments on the joinery methods/sealant between the two surfaces greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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As a retired remodeler with many different experiences on near 50 years of “types” of counter tops I can say this is one I’ve never done. I have mixed stone and maple several times but never in an L’d slab butting into stone.
With that said I would caution you that maple is wood and as such will tend to move in the environment it is placed. Your wood inside corner is where the problem would likely show up.
Fastening wood tops to the cabinet is the critical system. The slab needs to be held down firmly but needs the ability to move laterally. This is usually accomplished with a slotted hole in the cab corner brackets that the fastener comes up through. You don’t want the slab to split because the cabinet keeps it from moving. Conversely you don’t want the face frame to crack either.
What sealant to use? Something that moves a bit without losing contact with either stone or wood and of course, food safe. I can’t be more specific with a brand of product. You might look at the spec’s of a Lexel product which is damn tenacious on the bond. Make sure whatever you use on the wood is compatible.
One other thought, you might consider a spreader band underneath the maple slab that would span across that inside corner. But, maybe not.
After all these years I’m sure I’ve forgotten much, so beware.