Kitchen Countertop Help

13 years ago

I originally planned on using a 2cm thick Caesarstone countertop in my kitchen because I like a lighter, less massive look. Some of the cabinets are 10" off the floor in an alcove and having a 2cm countertop would make it look more streamlined in my opinion. I've just found out that the 15" overhang I need/want on the seating side of my island, plus waterfall sides, require a 3cm thick slab. Can I make the island 3cm and the countertops on three sides surrounding the island 2cm? Or will it look too weird?

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PRO

Rainier Cabinetry & Design, Inc

13 years ago

I think you should stick with the same thickness if you are using the same material in both places. It looks fine to vary thickness when you are varying the material. For example, wood on the island and quartz on the other areas. Also, usually 2 cm material needs to have support underneath it in the form of 5/8" to 3/4" thick plywood so the edge gets built up to about 1 1/2" to hide the edge of the supporting plywood so it will actually look thicker than the 3 cm (about 1 1/4" thick).

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Comments (7)

sissy49 Shopa
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Rainier Cabinetry. I was thinking exactly along those lines....maybe choosing one material for the island and another for the cabinets so that I could vary the thicknesses. I have used 2cm thick Silestone on a 6' bathroom vanity and we didn't do any special support under it; so far (2 years), so good!
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Ed
13 years ago
sshopa, I agree with Rainier and you. :) If you vary the thickness with the same material, then the thinner one may look... strange, like "what happened here? budget problem? :) "
PRO
Rainier Cabinetry & Design, Inc
13 years ago
Regarding the 2 cm, I have seen it on a vanity as well, but usually needs support when it's going a longer distance, spanning several cabinets. Your stone fabricator should be able to recommend what's best in your situation.
PRO
Scott Design, Inc.
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Consider placing a shallow cross member between the waterfall legs back 12" (it can be an "L" shaped piece of metal with a piece of your Ceasar Stone in front of it). That way you get the support for a 12" overhang but it still is 15" in depth and it should not be visible unless you deliberately look underneath. It will not interfere with your knees when sitting at the counter.

I like different thicknesses of tops in the same material. It provides a bit of a change up without adding yet another element to the mix.
sissy49 Shopa
Original Author
13 years ago
Scott Design: thanks for the input. I know the kitchen designer is still working with the fabricator on what can be accomplished, and I'll pass on your suggestion. Also, thanks for the different POV on using various thicknesses of the same countertop material within a room. You've given me one more thing to stew on!
PRO
Interiors International, Inc.
13 years ago
My fabricator has glued sheet steel under my large over hangs that I have designed for clients. This allowed me to extend them further without supports or thicker stone.