Are routed worktop joints over-rated?

got to be honest ive seen quite a few joints that are looking like they have moved, settled etc, then ive took a glance at the fitting quality around the rest of kitchen and found the answer, ...t workmanship me thinks??? when i do my joints i will not be happy until they are 100% crack on (i do this as a service to the trade and retail and amongst other work i have not stopped during this crunchy biscuit thingy ****. needajoint.

 

All depends whether they have been installed correctly.
Properly done, they won't swell with moisture.

 

Does anything look worse than a metal joint strip ?

 

Does anything look worse than a metal joint strip ?

only a metal strip when you take it off encrusted with around 4 billion nasties lol

 

Or a mason mitre joint that hasn't been done properly and has moved and swelled over time.

Like everyone else has said, if the job is done properly and sealed inbetween the joint, then there shouldnt be a problem. I live in a rented house, and the mason mitre is at 2 levels and has swelled. And just looks awfull! But then you look at the rest of the kitchen and it's just as bad! Apparently were due to get a new kitchen, which I want to find out if they'll let me fit it myself. At least I know it'll be done properly!

 

home owner=masons mitre, council house=joining strip

 

"home owner=masons mitre, council house=joining strip"

I used to work for the local council. The only reasons we used jointing strip were, time, cost and convenience.
The cost of doing masons mitres were outweighed by the cost and time taken to use jointing strips. Work it out yourself. Cut worktops to length. Fit jointing strip. Fix worktops to units.
As opposed to:- Setting up jig. Routing both worktops. Routing the slots for bolts. Fitting worktops loosely on units. Tightening up bolts. Fixing worktops to units.
I freely admit that masons mitres look a whole lot better, but there's a lot of council tenants who don't appreciate anything the council do for them. But that's an arguement for another day and another forum.

 

out of interest........ all seem to say if the joint is done right it won't swell/drop or be affected by water ingress..........so........... who would cough up for a new worktop if the joint failed through water damage?

 

jointing strips are much better for rental property as worktops can easily changed if one is damaged

i think a lot of fitters over rate jointed worktops themselfs as if its the holy grail, customers like them but dont make the fuss a lot of fitters do about them
its hardly rocket science

 

Audi

i would personally not take responsibility after a couple of months but less than that i would probably feel i should

 

My daughter has recently bougth a house, and needed quite a bit of work, including a kitchen. She couldn't afford to pay a kitchen fitter (or painter,or carpet fitter, or electrician), so Dad Ltd. had, naturally, to step in. I scrounged a loan of a jig, and fitted the worktops, which amounted to 2 joints. After a few practice joints, we managed a really good result. (Emily now realises her dads a genius, after years of contrary thoughts!). I think she coukd actually make a reasonable effort on her own, now.

Anyway, what is a "masons mitre", and how much should she have paid for fitting 2 lengths of worktop, with 2 right angle joints. It is actually 2 seperate runs, in opposite corners, each with a 90 join.

 

a masons mitre is assumedly what you did with the jig, ie a male and female cut that join together.

 

Oh, Ok. I confess i uswed this site for clues before starting. I kept reading about masons mitres, but got the impession that they were something differrent. Thanks.

 

I have been fiiting kitchens for over 15 years and only ever had 2 worktops blow one was on the joint and the other was were the sink was ! The sink one blew because the customer admited she flooded the sink. The joint blew because I dunno it just did !! I dont think that they are over rated are think they look professional, jointing strips look **** and look like a proper diy job !!! Although if you dont have a jig to do this you can always copy of this so called joiner around here and cut the worktops @ 45 with a hand saw !!!!!

 

They look good but THEY ARE OVERRATED! Who can guarantee their router joints for life??? No one. Where as a metal cap joint you could pour water on all day everyday & it will never blow. You get all sorts of coloured bars now too.

 

This is a six year old post but if the worktop below a council house joint isn't sealed it will blow just as quick as a masons mitre.
Craftsmanship is the cure,

 

So if you own privately, you should expect to change your worktops every 5 years or so?

 

A masons mitre, correctly done, will last the life of a kitchen, a council hose joint incorrectly done will blow in months and vice versa.