Laminate butt worktop trim

[Blue Mermaid]

Hi Everyone

The builders fitting our kitchen have put a metal black butt worktop trim (hope that's the correct name - don't know a thing about diy or kitchen fitting!) to protect the join between 2 laminate worktops (1 worktop wasn't long enough, so they had to join 2). They don't line up well, so there is a gap, so the worktop trim was definately needed according to the builders. The reason for the gap is we have an extension and the builders said whoever built it can't have used a spirit level, because the wall isn't square with the original wall of the house. So, the builders fitting the new worktops now, can't get them to line up with eachother.

The worktops are High Definition laminate in Bahia Granite from Wickes. The black butt worktip trim looks horrible with them but it was the closest colour the builders could find to match the worktop. I've just seen b&q do trims to match their worktops but unfortunately, Wickes don't (apart from the trim to go at the end of the worktops. Builders haven't used those and again have used the black metal ones which I think look horrible but the builders said they offer much better protection than the matching strips. They were trying today to think of a way to use those matching strips for the join between the 2 worktops but didn't think it was a good idea). They can't just be filled with sealent either, because the gap is too big.

Does anyone know where we could get a matching butt joint trim, so we could take the horrible black one off (if we had a plain black worktop it wouldn't have looked so bad)? I don't know why Wickes don't do matching ones for their worktops. All they do is black, silver or white. I don't like the end trim in the black metal either but I guess I'll have to put up with those. Wickes should do matching ones of those too but they don't.

Hope you can help.

Many thanks.

[thescruff]

I'm sure a couple of pics would give the guys a better clue when they wake up.

[prem]

getting builders to fit your kitchen


the straight joint needs to be done with a router and glued up properly with bolts underneath, as in the corners if you have any. metal edging are a hotel for bacteria, some i take out are i have to throw away the gloves after removing them.
the edgings i dont know where you would get them in colours, like you said b + q. if your budget will allow, get a kitchen fitter to do the tops properly.

[royaloakcarpentry]

The builders can't get the worktops to line up............................what, along the front edge, the butt edge????

Need pictures with this.

[thescruff]

One can only imagine the pigs ear they're making of it. Another entry for the Rogues Gallery perhaps.

[big-all]

the trouble is to do it properly assuming you are saying you have a "V" wedge shaped gap between the ends you will loose about an inch by the time they are trimmed together can you loose an inch ok??
how has he done the right angle joins??
did he seal the cut edges off the cut outs and the dodgy join??

[Blue Mermaid]

Hi Guys and thanks so much for all your replies.

It's really difficult for me to answer your questions, as I'm clueless about these things. I don't know whether it would be any help taking pictures either, as the trim is screwed on, so I can't show you what's underneath it.

They have lined up the front and back edges of the 2 worktops in question. They said they couldn't get the 2 worktops close enough together and the metal trim would stop any water etc getting into the worktop and ruining it (ie if we spilt a drink or something on it). All the worktops have been bolted down and they must know what they're doing, because in the corner, they've fitted the 2 worktops there perfectly together with curves cut in them. They have fitted kitchens before. We originally had them to make a drain for us in the garden and they made a great job of that. They're making a great job of the kitchen too, apart from this problem, so I don't think they are rogues. The only other thing bothering me, is the cornices - some of them have gaps between them and the top of the cupboard doors. They've blamed Wickes for that, as the doors should be longer so they meet closer to the cornices. If you open the doors, they've fitted the cornices perfectly on top of the cupboards. Everything's lined up beautifully. It's just when you close the doors, you can see gaps.

Anyway, back to the original problem: Is this something that is not ever done? Using a metal butt trim on the join between 2 worktops (other than corners?). I can't say I've ever seen one in the middle of someone elses worktop.

Scary about the bacteria! I'm a clean freak and will be worrying about that all the time if we have to keep the trim!

[thescruff]

You shouldn't need a trim even on the corners, the two edges should butt up perfectly and be held together with special bracket/bolt fitted underneath.

Pics would help a lot, even from below looking up.

[Blue Mermaid]

Hi and thanks for your reply thescruff.

I've just taken some pics...don't know if they show what you need to know.

How do I post them here please? I've downloaded them to my computer. Don't belong to photo bucket or any other site like that.

[thescruff]

Click on the post reply button, then the browse button, find the pic on your computer, and click save, click the attach button and repeat the above for 2 or more pic.

They shouldn't be too large.

[Blue Mermaid]

Thank you. I was looking for those buttons before but couldn't fnd them!

Lots of pics for you to look at here. I've included the ones of the worktops in the corner, so you can see they've made a good job of those. With the worktops in question, I don't know what those big key shaped cut outs are underneath the worktop???

I've got some more pics to post of the rest of the kitchen but I'll do that in a separate post. Don't want to bombard you with too many pics at once! Want you to see that they are generally making a good job of the fitting - to the untrained eye anyway! Hope you don't think otherwise!

[Blue Mermaid]

Giving you a tour of the kitchen so far...it's not finished yet as you can see.

You can also see how long that worktop is, which is why it had to be 2 worktops fitted together. Have also included the metal end trim for you to see, which isn't very pleasing to the eye either but I suppose if it's better strength wise, that's a good thing. One of the builders said the end trim and the butt trim match but I think they're both horrible! I told him I didn't like either of them!

Hopefully, you'll think they're doing a good job apart from the worktop problem. Would still like your opinions and/or advice on that please.

Many thanks guys.

[Blue Mermaid]

More pics! Thought I might as well post them all

[speed]

on the corner they have routed boltholes in one piece and not the other so the worktops are not connected as they should be,
the white line on the join is a small gap and the bolts would have pulled them tight.

the straight join should be jointed in a simular way to the corner, the 2 edges routed straight and bolting underneith, all you shoulld se is a faint join line where the fleck dont line up 100% like the first pic you posted

the black end trim does look poo, id get them to add the matching laminate strip and see how you go, they should be ok unless you are rough with them, then in future is you do chip them you could fit the black trim over to cover if needed

[thescruff]

Only one word really, "Unacceptable"

Looks like they chewed the wood out or cut them with a chainsaw.

The edges/cuts have not been sealed.

Not joined properly and badly.

And as for the plastic trim you gotta be joking right.

The best pic is the screw in the trim, you're gonna love catching your hand on that.

I would tell them to try again without the plastic.

Be interesting to hear what ROC etc have to say.

8/10 as a Diy job, 2/10 if they're supposed to be kitchen fitters.