Marble/Granite in the Kitchen? Is is a good idea?

[Eylon]

I am thinking on replacing the Formica with Granite or Marble. my trailer is a 1988 Airstream Limited. the shop said the counter will weigh around 250lb which doesn't look to heavy to me.
does anyone have experience with this? should i do it?

[c_lewis77]

I have 3cm travertine countertop. No issues

[perryg114]

That is a lot of weight considering that your total payload maybe 2000-3000lbs. It is not a good idea to carry extra weight if you don't have to. It puts a lot of strain on the structure. For the same reason, tile floors over large areas is not a good idea. Laminate over plywood is probably the lightest for the durability. You also need to think how much structure will have to go into supporting that much weight. Ask yourself if you would put granite counters in an airplane?

Perry

[Lothlorian]

Granite is way to much weight and Marble is soft and would not withstand the stress and vibration. They make some fake granite materials that would work. They look good also.

Brian

[68 TWind]

I watched a show on high end motor coaches last night on TV. They used granite but it was only 1/4 in thick with built up edges so it would look like normal thickness to keep the weight down. These were million $ coaches for rock stars. If you are must go that way it might save some pounds but I am sure it will be expensive.

[HowieE]

That amounts to 200 lbs of STUFF you will not be able to carry with you. I would rather have STUFF.

It is not hard to exceed the GVW of a 34 fter with just the things you want with you while traveling. I would rather have my bikes on the back, my kites in the closet, a small wet vac for those spills when the refg door comes off, hydraulic jack, and my gas grill tucked in behind the refg.

[BeachHouse]

Check out a company called Granite Transformations Granite Kitchen & Bath Countertops & More | Granite Transformations . They do thin granite over existing laminate countertops. They are not everywhere, but maybe in your area. The advertisement is that they are less expensive than granite.

[robwok]

I have a friend that is a granite installer. Yes the ones you're seeing on TV are thin sheets, supported underneath with ply or mdf, and then a built up lip to give it a thicker look.

Keep in mind the inertia. Every bump is going to magnify the inertia of that material to move either up, or down. Start or stop are going to be the same. You're fastening this heavy top to the floor with screws, but the wall is going to be aluminum rivets. Keep in mind the constant flexing and that aluminum suffers metal fatigue when bent over and over.

[c_lewis77]

I would guess that the weight is less than 250lbs. It seemed light when I carried it inside to install. The cutouts for the sink and stove take most of the material away.
I have had no adverse effects, cracking, bowing, or other movement. I have supported the counter from below and no connection to the walls. It looks/performs great.

I would say that particular attention should be given to supporting and securing the material to ensure that it stays in place and and is properly supported. If you are considering granite, you may be able to go with a 2cm or thinner material to help reduce weight.

[Phoenix]

Wouldn't one worry about cracking over long, thin expanses? There is a lot of vibration and flexing in a moving trailer, that doesn't occur in homes, or even bus-type motorhomes.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by c_lewis77

I would guess that the weight is less than 250lbs. It seemed light when I carried it inside to install. The cutouts for the sink and stove take most of the material away.
I have had no adverse effects, cracking, bowing, or other movement. I have supported the counter from below and no connection to the walls. It looks/performs great.

I would say that particular attention should be given to supporting and securing the material to ensure that it stays in place and and is properly supported. If you are considering granite, you may be able to go with a 2cm or thinner material to help reduce weight.

Travertino is going to be quite a bit lighter than granite probably noticeably lighter than marble as well since it has more void space within the surface. Marble is basically travertino that's been heated and compressed to squish out all the empty space (in the earth over millenia).

I'm a bit skeptical about loading up an RV with all that excess mass for stonework and tile, but then again I have a Formica countertop in the house kitchen (a funky mid-century boomerang pattern, but Formica nonetheless.)

[Kreimer]

We are having granite transformations out to do the countertops in our 65 safari on the first. They claim it comes with a lifetime warranty against cracking and breaking. They are going to have to make their own countertop from plywood and mount to that as ours are home depot specials. Get the side wet and that particle board expands like nothing else!

[c_lewis77]

Originally Posted by Kreimer

We are having granite transformations out to do the countertops in our 65 safari on the first. They claim it comes with a lifetime warranty against cracking and breaking. They are going to have to make their own countertop from plywood and mount to that as ours are home depot specials. Get the side wet and that particle board expands like nothing else!

You will have to post some pics after you get it done!

[Kreimer]

Here is the before and afters. Green is the before. The hole is the stove. Haven't reinstalled it yet.

[blmitch5]

Very nice!! I can't wait to see it next week.

[c_lewis77]

Looks great!

[hhendrix]

We just changed out our 2009 27' FB to corian. It's heavy, but not near as much as granite. The bathroom with the intergrated bowl sink is especially nice. One problem though. They glued the corian on top of the existing dining table. The combined weight made it so heavy, it's difficult to lower the table to make the bed. Fortunately, we never do that. However, when moving, the weight also caused so serious flexing where the table top attaches to the shell. I attached some small chains with turnbuckles to keep it from moving while towing. 5K miles so far and no problems have shown up yet, even with frequent inspections. I know it sounds a little hokey, but the chains are not obtrusive and can be removed in 10 seconds. I'm in Palmer, AK right now on the way to Tolsana Wilderness. I'll post a picture when I get settledd.