Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Cladding done- benchtop help! 141May 16, 2014 10:03 pm So I have tiling photos but first I wanted to ask your help guys. I really, really wanted the laminex diamond gloss benchtops with acrylic edging. Problem is, and I posted this on the kitchen thread but didn't get a huge response, the manufacturer won't guarantee them. He's had problems when putting the edging on and while he can take it off and usually ends up with a product that looks fine, he's worried that the material itself is flawed and might deteriorate and allow water into the bench somewhere along the track. So while he will make the bench for us, if anything were to happen to it, it would be on us to either attempt fixing it or get a new one. Here is the difference between the acrylic edge look: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ (from user dot77's kitchen) and these Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I hate both of them. I love the acrylic edge. But is it worth the risk??? Help me!!! (also I kind of feel like the square one is just as d0dgy, i've seen those benches 10 years down the line and they peel and chip and look fudging horrible, so maybe i'd rather risk that ours will look d0dgy eventually but at least it will look great to start with) The boyf reckons we should ask if it can be repaired in the event it would need it, and if so how much because if it always means a new benchtop then he thinks maybe we shouldn't do it. I just hate the others so, so much. Meanwhile, tiles! (not yet grouted) Main bathroom Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Toilet Room Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ensuite Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I really hope the tiler just stays there until it's all finished. I have fingers and toes crossed. The other issue I need to ask the builder about is whether we should fence the side the tank is going on, then put the tank in and proceed to finish the fence after it's in. I feel like it's going to be awkward to fence in-between the tank and the neighbours fence but if we fence the entire thing, the tank might not even make it in. So many dilemas, so late in the game! Blog http://tobuildahomeimprobable.blogspot.com.au/ Settlement Apr Council Jul Contracts Dec Earthworks Dec Frames Jan Trusses Feb Roof Feb Windows Mar Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles!/ benchtop help plz! 142May 16, 2014 10:22 pm I love the acrylic edge! Build thread http://tinyurl.com/llgc7yk Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles!/ benchtop help plz! 143May 16, 2014 10:29 pm Sorry for the late reply, LOVE the cladding with the black windows! I feel at peace with our decision now! Our house is semi elevated with colorbond cladding 3/4 of the wall height with zincalume above. It is a skillion roof and two separate dwellings joined by decking so it is good to see the mix of the monument cladding with the timber. I might start a new thread as we are about to start our build in the coming weeks. re: acrylic edge, our cabinet maker said something similar to us about not being convinced of the waterproof quality of it when I enquired. We have decided to go with 20mm stone with a shadow line to try and mimic a thicker bench (or at least hide the fact it is only 20mm). Tiles look great too Goodluck with the rest of the build! Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles!/ benchtop help plz! 144May 16, 2014 10:37 pm Thanks cazpet! Was the 20mm stone benchtop a similar price to the laminate? Or was it much more expensive? Blog http://tobuildahomeimprobable.blogspot.com.au/ Settlement Apr Council Jul Contracts Dec Earthworks Dec Frames Jan Trusses Feb Roof Feb Windows Mar Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles!/ benchtop help plz! 145May 16, 2014 10:43 pm I'm honestly not entirely sure as there are so many laminate options. We just decided at the start that we wanted to put money in where it will improve the capital value and we think stone bench tops will do that. I am happy to cut costs somewhere else that is less visible or important. I just took our rough design to a cabinet maker and asked him to quote for a few different stone options so you should be able to do the same by asking for a laminate and stone quote? Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles!/ benchtop help plz! 146May 16, 2014 10:49 pm Ok no worries. Thank you I have a feeling our budget won't stretch to stone. There seems to be a huge a gap between stone and the next step up. Blog http://tobuildahomeimprobable.blogspot.com.au/ Settlement Apr Council Jul Contracts Dec Earthworks Dec Frames Jan Trusses Feb Roof Feb Windows Mar Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles!/ benchtop help plz! 147May 16, 2014 10:55 pm Have you looked at diamond gloss laminate? We had it in our previous house and it really did stand the test of time (and kids, cats and husbands who don't use chopping boards!). The rounded edge bench picture you have above looks like it might be a gloss but that fake granite colour makes it look a bit funny and fake. A gloss in a neutral light colour will look a lot like real stone. It might be a good compromise for a stone look without the price but keeping a guarantee? Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles!/ benchtop help plz! 148May 16, 2014 11:00 pm We are actually having diamond gloss but you still have to choose an edge and the edges are the same regardless. The top pic is diamond gloss with acrylic in the same colour we would have. We would still have diamond gloss but the issue is with whether to risk the edging not lasting and going with the standard edging. Something about the rounded edges just sings of the nineties to me. Blog http://tobuildahomeimprobable.blogspot.com.au/ Settlement Apr Council Jul Contracts Dec Earthworks Dec Frames Jan Trusses Feb Roof Feb Windows Mar Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles!/ benchtop help plz! 149May 19, 2014 1:17 pm So we confirmed with the kitchen guy that we will be doing the rounded edge. I realised I just had to pick my battles and we could do nice benchtops next time. They'll still look ok for now. All the tiles are down and are being grouted next week on 'wednesday' which could mean thursday or friday by the tilers standards. He has however grouted small areas so that the builder can install the vanities and laundry cupboard. The holes have all been cut for the downlights and the ceiling fans etc, all ready for us to paint in 2 weeks. The kickboards for the kitchen are being laid out today and then taken out again for the floor which will begin being finished on monday/tuesday next week. I'm extremely excited to see how my concrete ends up looking. My issue with the tank has been resolved as the builder said I should put at least half a metre between it and the fence anyway to allow access behind it for cleaning, garden maintenance etc. That will likely go in some time next week or the week after when the plumbing fit off starts. There are some downsides to having a picky builder it seems! Believe it or not. We got some pretty cr4ppy vanities for the bathrooms. We really couldn't afford anything else. When the builder was putting them together he damaged it a bit because he put a clamp on it to hold it and when he took it off, the board was a bit cracked and I was like dude...don't worry about it, I knew they were bad when we bought them. He apparently called the supplier and had a big lecture with them about how they shouldn't even be selling things that quality and stuff. He gets extremely frustrated when things aren't perfect. We over-sprayed a bit in the garage onto the floor (it was the garage and we had one day to do it and just wanted to get it done, not spend all day taping in proper drop sheets) and he brings it up every now and then when we start to talk about painting the house and he's super worried we're going to mess up the floor inside I think. He needs to let it go sometimes and accept that not everything will be perfect and we, the clients, aren't that worried about a bit of waterbased paint on the concrete floor in our garage, that we put there ourselves. The upside of the pickyness is, of course, that he's just as picky with the trades and that means that from their end, everything will be spot on. That house isn't falling apart any time soon, that's for sure. Anyway, it's all on track for us getting out on time. I'm starting to pack some things today but it's so hard to know what you need for the next month and what you don't. Blog http://tobuildahomeimprobable.blogspot.com.au/ Settlement Apr Council Jul Contracts Dec Earthworks Dec Frames Jan Trusses Feb Roof Feb Windows Mar Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles! Final fitoff soon 150May 19, 2014 5:50 pm Also here is a better photo I took of the facade the other week Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Blog http://tobuildahomeimprobable.blogspot.com.au/ Settlement Apr Council Jul Contracts Dec Earthworks Dec Frames Jan Trusses Feb Roof Feb Windows Mar Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles! Final fitoff soon 152May 19, 2014 9:20 pm No more internals yet as nothing has really changed. The tiles are all finished but they have to be grouted and cleaned yet. I'm hoping the roller door will be in at the end of the week so maybe there will be SOMETHING to photograph for you. Blog http://tobuildahomeimprobable.blogspot.com.au/ Settlement Apr Council Jul Contracts Dec Earthworks Dec Frames Jan Trusses Feb Roof Feb Windows Mar Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles! Final fitoff soon 153May 19, 2014 11:43 pm Glad it's all on track! I understand the difficulty with someone so picky but in the end I think it will bring the best results. Build thread http://tinyurl.com/llgc7yk Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles! Final fitoff soon 154May 20, 2014 6:20 am house is great with stone bench top you can always ask for off cuts there are places around that will sell them to you (there are two in coffs i know of there should be someone in armidale too) i used off cuts in my bathroom instead of laminate and it is a black granite top Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles! Final fitoff soon 155May 20, 2014 10:22 am Cool 1rocky, I might look at that for when we upgrade the vanities which might happen at some stage because ours are pretty bad. Blog http://tobuildahomeimprobable.blogspot.com.au/ Settlement Apr Council Jul Contracts Dec Earthworks Dec Frames Jan Trusses Feb Roof Feb Windows Mar Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles! Final fitoff soon 156May 23, 2014 2:00 pm Hi all! So went up past the block today (still haven't taken to calling it 'the house' yet) and there is all sorts happening. Downpipes are on and there was an excavator there working on digging out where the water tank is going which is cool. I think I also saw some tiling stuff out the front so I think we might have some more tiling stuff going on. Builder also rang me this morning (I was sleeping in so I was barely awake for the conversation) and asked if we were having a path from the garage to the portico and I said I was thinking we'd just put down some gravel and he was like 'Aww I think I might shout you some concrete to go there, just think it will look a bit better and keep water away from the house a bit more' So we're getting a free path which is amazing. He also just rang to ask if we needed to tile up around the fancy toilet we have Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ in case you have forgotten our awesome 5 star toilet, which I hadn't thought about but of course, he's right. If you're washing hands there you do need to tile around it. Just another example of how switched in he is to the build. So excited for the concrete finish next week, I can't wait!!! Blog http://tobuildahomeimprobable.blogspot.com.au/ Settlement Apr Council Jul Contracts Dec Earthworks Dec Frames Jan Trusses Feb Roof Feb Windows Mar Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles! Final fitoff soon 157May 23, 2014 4:22 pm lmille32 Hi all! So went up past the block today (still haven't taken to calling it 'the house' yet) and there is all sorts happening. Downpipes are on and there was an excavator there working on digging out where the water tank is going which is cool. I think I also saw some tiling stuff out the front so I think we might have some more tiling stuff going on. Builder also rang me this morning (I was sleeping in so I was barely awake for the conversation) and asked if we were having a path from the garage to the portico and I said I was thinking we'd just put down some gravel and he was like 'Aww I think I might shout you some concrete to go there, just think it will look a bit better and keep water away from the house a bit more' So we're getting a free path which is amazing. He also just rang to ask if we needed to tile up around the fancy toilet we have Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ in case you have forgotten our awesome 5 star toilet, which I hadn't thought about but of course, he's right. If you're washing hands there you do need to tile around it. Just another example of how switched in he is to the build. So excited for the concrete finish next week, I can't wait!!! So glad your builder is on the ball and being so generous!! I on the other hand feel as though unless I pick up on things, then I haven't got a leg to stand on! And this is our first time building.. and buying for that matter.. Oh and im 37 weeks pregnant with 1st baby too. lol Our Build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=72518 Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles! Final fitoff soon 159May 24, 2014 12:25 am Hi Dream Catchers, I'm sure our experience is fairly rare. Yours sounds more common unfortunately. Building/buying for the first time is so stressful as is! Believe me, even though ours ended happily, it didn't start as good. But I'm sure it's much more difficult when you're about to pop, I couldn't even imagine! Congratulations by the way It sure was m-sass! Bit of a downpour, lots of mud for the plumbers to wade through. They better not have tracked mud through the house! I like having a stalker, I have extra eyes! (feel free to crack the whip if you think they're slacking) Blog http://tobuildahomeimprobable.blogspot.com.au/ Settlement Apr Council Jul Contracts Dec Earthworks Dec Frames Jan Trusses Feb Roof Feb Windows Mar Re: Custom Build (Armidale): Tiles! Final fitoff soon 160May 24, 2014 1:04 am lmille32 Hi Dream Catchers, I'm sure our experience is fairly rare. Yours sounds more common unfortunately. Building/buying for the first time is so stressful as is! Believe me, even though ours ended happily, it didn't start as good. But I'm sure it's much more difficult when you're about to pop, I couldn't even imagine! Congratulations by the way It sure was m-sass! Bit of a downpour, lots of mud for the plumbers to wade through. They better not have tracked mud through the house! I like having a stalker, I have extra eyes! (feel free to crack the whip if you think they're slacking) Haha.. Thank you Soon plans will be done and selections made, then I'll get a break from building stuff until land titles in July and building begins shortly thereafter I hope! We're just taking it as it comes and going to try not to be too impatient once the build begins hehe Even though we'll probably be dying to get out of renting towards the end! Our Build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=72518 Joe, it depends on your certifier but we are noticing the ones we deal with are really cracking down. So i would recommend you follow your approved landscaping plans to… 4 10982 Hi Simeon, Thank you for laying it down for us. Makes sense. Appreciate it very much. Have a nice day. Cheers 2 9030 I'd get the gutters to match your roof and pipes to match the paint - otherwise they become a feature. Nice pick with the paint colours! 1 34273 |