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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
| I knw some very nice living quarters have things like granite or tile. I will be driving over rough roads and terrain, though, (steel trailer with torsion axles) and am wondering if that would crack or if there is something to do to prevent it from cracking. It will be a short counter - four feet and five feet (because of the slant wall) and 24 inches deep. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
 
Location: Western WA | It doesn't take much torque to crack a slab of granite or other natural stone. Tile will at least give at the grout lines (most likely). But for that reason I stick with plain 'ole formica-type countertop surfaces. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
| Thanks. That's what I thought, but wanted to make sure. It's such a small space, it'd be nice to have something really pretty, but I don't really want a maintenance problem. My realtor friend always cautioned me about tile's tendency to break. Thanks! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | Originally written by Phoresic on 2010-07-02 12:19 PM I knw some very nice living quarters have things like granite or tile. I will be driving over rough roads and terrain, though, (steel trailer with torsion axles) and am wondering if that would crack or if there is something to do to prevent it from cracking. It will be a short counter - four feet and five feet (because of the slant wall) and 24 inches deep. You can silicone the tile for adhesive and use flexible grout. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: MS | They have some really nice formica out now that would look almost as pretty as the real thing. Whenever I get the desire to do that, that will be the way I go too. I don't want the cleanup maintenance of grout. |
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Location: Central Arkansas | I have granite in my big trailer and have not had any issues with it at all. When we had our smaller weekend trailer done earlier this year, we opted for a really nice Formica . I thought about granite but it just seemed like such overkill for that small of a space. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
| Thanks for the additional information. If there were an edit feature here, I would have edited that post. I know that there is beautiful formica, and my wording may not have properly expressed that. I'm not sure I can do what I want with the formica, but a quick trip to the kitchen center will answer that for me. Thanks! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 391
Location: Columbia, KY | this may be a stupid question but can a new counter top be put over the existing one? I know you can do that with floors... |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | well yes there is an edit feature... |
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Veteran
Posts: 231
Location: Illinois | you might also want to take in consideration the extra weight the granite would add to the overall weight of the trailer...depending on size , that stuff is heavy...just saying :) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
| That's a great point on the weight. Thanks. As for the edit feature, I think you have to edit within a minute or two, and I don't usually act within that time frame. |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | You can use many surfaces for counter tops in LQs; porcelain, ceramic, granite, formica even wooden flooring. Because many of the galleys are fairly small, weight isn't always an issue. If you use smaller sized tiles instead of "slabs", cracking isn't an issue as well. If the counter is built of 3/4" plywood, it will be more than rigid enough to support most materials. If they are installed with construction adhesives (IE "Liquid Nails, polyurethane adhesives etc) the pieces will hold fast and have a bit of flexibility. If minimal grout lines are used with sandless grout and grout improver, the lines will be durable as well. If the original surface is flat and can be roughed up with a coarse grit sandpaper, and the glues will adhere, it can be recovered. However, it's usually better to try to strip the top to the original surface. You will also have to remove the sink and faucets before an new surface is installed or the old one removed. Most of these surfacing materials are relatively inexpensive and are rapidly applied. It's a quick way to upgrade or finish your LQ, and if installed correctly, will become a lasting and decorative addition to your living space. It's a relatively easy DIY project; the materials are readily available, and the cutting tools can be rented or borrowed from many tile suppliers. |
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counter tops
