" Would you recommend doing a sill-less install against the countertop?"

Only if you lived in Florida, the countertop was natural stone, and covered by a lanai.

I agree and I have to pass throughs are never IMO a good idea. Could we see the kitchen layout , which BTW I hope you have a KD not your architect designing, In my experience architects make really poor kitchen designers most of the time.

Thank you for your thoughts! Attaching the plan so far (we will also work with a KD on the kitchen part). Note, we are in California. No covered Lenai in the plans. Also I was planning to use Quartz for the counter, as it will stand up better to the elements.

Why are you so down on pass-throughs? Are you just commenting about a Sill-less design? I could see it being really nice for morning coffee, or when I host gatherings (chitchat or passing things between kitchen/backyard).

The sill-less design does worry me even though I think it would look great - if the seal fails over time or the house settles poorly, I could get rain coming in or really poor insulation. I don't know enough, which is why I'm asking these questions :)

Are you a retired NBA player 100 miles from the nearest supermarket? Think about the wingspan needed to reach over the sink and over the outside bar area. With a flip up window, little can be left on the bar, or the window will knock it off when opened.

My MIL had sliding windows near the sink opening onto the lanai. They were never used. Everyone went out the sliders. You might be better off putting the sink in the island and adding French doors onto the patio.

Do I count four pantries, and two fridges? Are you only able to shop once a month? This might be a good time to involve your kitchen designer.

" Also I was planning to use Quartz for the counter, as it will stand up better to the elements."

It will not. Engineered stone manufacturers don't even allow fabricators to store slabs outside. The resin is easily compromised by direct ultraviolet light. You should't even do a resinated natural stone.

UV destroys quartz. It will get chalky and powdery in no time. Something head height, sticking out in the way, is the perfect obstacle for the klutz in us all. How about a how many stitches competition?

Let me correct myself please. You can use an engineered stone outside, you just can't use one made with resin. Geoluxe.

@Craig R did you end up moving forward with a servery window? I'm interested to see what brand you went with and how you're liking it.

@Craig R - curious what you went with. Trying to decide between ActivWall and Thruvue. Flipout windows minimum size is too big (We are going for a 4' x 4'). Thruvue is more expensive. Also looking at wanting Sill-less. Live in Texas and was going to go for granite or quartzite. The outside doesn't get a lot of sun so not super worried about UV.

What are the ballpark price points or PSF of window for Flip Out windows and Thruvue/ActivWall products? Thanks!

Kristin Petro love the design you shared in the photos. What material did you use for outside counter of gas strut window? And what is the width of that window?

Decided to share that we went with ActiveWall no-sill option on quartzite; very happy with it. Also just saw the question on Pricepoint - the 4 x 4 was $4,600.