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Old 08-09-2021, 11:54 AM   #1
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Replacement Countertop Options

Who has replaced the kitchen counter top in their RV & what did you replace it with?

I have a 2018 JayFlight 28BHBE that had a leak at the faucet. Got bad enough that it seeped under the Counter top and ruined it. You can feel lumps all around where the wood swelled. The top isn't very big and a local counter top shop just quoted $1,100 for a Corian top plus $159 for sink prep & $300 for a stainless steel sink. I would like to go solid surface to avoid this happening again, although I hope to have it fixed now. Looking for any suggestions you may have.
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Old 08-10-2021, 07:38 AM   #2
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Have you tried the big box stores. Seem to recall they can fab custom counter tops.
Mom had Corian installed in the kitchen in my college days (I’m retired now) and I recall it was tough but a bit brittle. Our 5th has solid countertops made by LG, they look nice but are fairly easily scratched. Look into quartz countertops. We did our kitchen in that a few years back and it has proven to be bulletproof. Possible issue might be weight so I’d suggest investigating that before purchasing.
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Old 08-10-2021, 09:19 AM   #3
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I haven't checked the big box stores yet. I read that Corian made counters for RV's so I wanted to price that out first. I guess big box is my next stop. I did think quartz but weight was definitely a factor that I thought would take it out of the running.
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Old 08-10-2021, 09:28 AM   #4
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I haven't checked the big box stores yet. I read that Corian made counters for RV's so I wanted to price that out first. I guess big box is my next stop. I did think quartz but weight was definitely a factor that I thought would take it out of the running.
HI-Mac is the acrylic version that JAYCO used at one time and it would be lighter.
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Old 08-10-2021, 09:47 AM   #5
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Looks like Home Depot sells Hi-Macs & Corian, looks like that will be my next stop. Thanks for the input.
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Old 08-10-2021, 10:02 AM   #6
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Our rig came with Corian countertops. They have held up well but are prone to scratch easily. They still look better than the Laminate products would if that old.
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Old 08-10-2021, 10:16 AM   #7
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It pays to know what you are asking someone to do for you with a little prior research anytime you want someone to use tools. I have rentals, as a property manager for the past 15yrs, I'm very familiar with fixing kitchen/bath issues not to mention as the role of GC, dealing with subs.

First know what you have, because I'll guarantee no one you talk to will have a clue what is in an RV kitchen. They view everything from their knowledge of home kitchen design. Home kitchens have a 1 1/2" counter thickness on top of the cabinets regardless the material used. (you may find a 1 1/4" product out there, but not common) This on top of a standard kitchen cabinet gives a 36" floor to surface measurement. Standard materials for laminates, high density MDF, plywood. These are materials that usually are resistant to water swelling due to the glues and layers used. Both can be doubled to get the 1 1/2" thickness or a rim of material can be sandwiched between one thickness of decking and the cabinet....cheaper by a few dollars.

Any estimate made without the person doing the estimate seeing your RV set up and taking actual measurements is a useless waste of your time.

Your RV...12mm of interior Masonite (the material peg boards are made from) with a laminate on top and a drop edge. Masonite is cheap, thin, and holds water like a new sponge due to the amount of sawdust that make up the material. The cabinets in the RV tend to be taller than standard kitchen cabinets. If you put a standard kitchen spec top on RV cabinets, you'll end up at 37" or slightly more floor to surface. If you are average ht. or less, that will not be comfortable...at all. Not to mention, the use of a 1 1/2" top will interfere with any backsplash you currently have. Remove and replace $$.

Home Depot will most likely charge close to $65 per sq ft. for kitchen spec'd Corian. There are many other solid surface manufacturer's, but they will all come in about the same. They sub the job to a local who tacks on their profit margin as well. Stainless steel sinks are quite the pricey item these days...a big box 24"x19" brand you've never heard of, you're in the $250 plus range. The gauge of SS is very important (min. 16) as well as the sound deadening material used. Under-mount a sink.... costs extra....maybe as much as $100 more.

When all said and done, you could be looking at $100+ per sf. for what you described made, installed and plumbed and finished.

Laminates are easily replaced if damaged, even over top of the prior finish. Properly installed laminates are highly resistant to delamination from their underlayment if anything other than Masonite. Frankly, it's all we use in our properties for those reasons...oh, and the price...$15-$20 per sf installed by someone other than me. Closer to $7 sf when I do it. The downside is it's not wise to undermount a sink with laminate.

For my money in my home, (I really really really hate granite, solid surface, tile) I like phenolic resin countertops. A perfect alternative to Corian and other plastic, which is epoxy based. Phenolic has been around for a long, long time in laboratory applications and almost completely has replace the 'other' stuff. Totally water proof, for me has a 'cool' factor, takes undermount, and is priced right starting at $15-$18 per sf.

For your reading pleasure: https://resources.workstationindustr...ch-one-is-best
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Old 08-10-2021, 11:32 AM   #8
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How much additional weight of the Corian over the stock laminate countertop?
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Old 08-10-2021, 12:05 PM   #9
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a quick look

3cm / 1 1/4" solid surface approx 15lb per sf.
3cm granite...20lb
3cm phenolic .... 10lb

weights are nominal. Full thickness top of 1 1/2" are approx 25% heavier.

your rv laminate counter over melamine....4lb per sf.
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Old 08-10-2021, 12:35 PM   #10
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HI-Mac is the acrylic version that JAYCO used at one time and it would be lighter.
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Yeah, that’s the stuff we have. As I said it looks nice but scratches easier than I’d like. My experience with quartz is limited but if it comes in multiple thicknesses that might be the answer to the weight question.

Edit:
Muckin’s post got me wondering. A little Googleing yielded this:https://kitchen-counter-tops.net/sto...untertops.html
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Old 08-11-2021, 09:38 AM   #11
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Find a local countertop shop and go quartz. Most shops have lots of leftover pieces they could make you a deal on. Quartz ( actually a man made product ) is non porous and never needs an annual topcoat unlike granite etc. I wouldn't worry about weight since theses are really small areas.
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Old 08-11-2021, 09:53 AM   #12
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Thanks for the input muckinfuss, gives me more to think about. Where have you purchased phenolic resin tops? I found a few places online in OH & TX but no one near me.

HD is still pretty expensive with $650 min purchase on solid surface plus $250 to prep & mount an undermount sink plus the cost of a sink.

Has anyone heard of American Stonecast, https://www.rv-sinks.com/? Says they make lightweight solid surface for RV's even for some manufacturers and are in Elkhart, IN. I used their contact page the other night but haven't received a response.
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Old 08-11-2021, 09:58 AM   #13
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Find a local countertop shop and go quartz. Most shops have lots of leftover pieces they could make you a deal on. Quartz ( actually a man made product ) is non porous and never needs an annual topcoat unlike granite etc. I wouldn't worry about weight since theses are really small areas.
This!

Extremely tough stuff! After the install I noticed some pretty serious scratches and called the installers to come back out. He was looking it over and I commented that perhaps I’d done it with a heavy box. He studied it a bit more, shook his head and said, “no you couldn’t have done that.” They polished it out with I think a diamond wheel. Did I mention it’s tough?
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Old 08-11-2021, 11:26 AM   #14
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Thanks for the input muckinfuss, gives me more to think about. Where have you purchased phenolic resin tops? I found a few places online in OH & TX but no one near me.

HD is still pretty expensive with $650 min purchase on solid surface plus $250 to prep & mount an undermount sink plus the cost of a sink.

Has anyone heard of American Stonecast, https://www.rv-sinks.com/? Says they make lightweight solid surface for RV's even for some manufacturers and are in Elkhart, IN. I used their contact page the other night but haven't received a response.
I'd suggest start with a google "phenolic resin countertops near me' and see what pops up. If nothing, I'd contact a couple three fab shops and see what they have done in the past. Not sure how close to one of these outlets you are, but they have a few shops in MI with phenolic experience;
https://www.tilenstone.com/countertopintroduction

Or, go straight to paperstone.com and check out what they can do for you locally.

I'm in north Ohio I have my material drop shipped when needed since I do my own templates with door skins and hot melt glue. (old school) The material finishes like an auto paint job when you cut the edges. wet sand, etc. there are a few tricks and traps, but with the small area that is inside an rv, shouldn't need any of them. It stinks when you cut it, but the smell goes away.
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