The Perfect Island
When it comes to kitchen renovations most of us have a vision of a big, show stopping kitchen island. It’s where family gathers, the place where meal prep is done, where your children do their homework, and where we entertain our guests.
But before you fall in love with the idea of a massive island there are a few technical particulars you need to consider such as Slab size to seam placement and even the safety of the crew installing the countertop. Designing the perfect island takes a little bit of balancing your ideas with the actual limits of the material being used.
How Big Is Too Big?
If your goal is a continuous countertop with zero seams, your island’s size may be bound by the size of the material slab you choose. With Quartz slabs, the standard size is around 125″ or roughly 10ft.” When choosing Natural Stone such as granite, dolomite, quartzite or marble, the sizes of the slabs vary and a seamless length will depend entirely on the material you choose.
Where Will the Seam Be If I Need One?
There is no single standard answer because it depends on your kitchen’s layout. A popular choice is placing it down the center of the island ensuring it looks intentional, especially working with a fabricator who can match the veining of the stone to flow naturally. Here at RCG we use a program called Slabsmith that ensures this application.
Supporting Your Seating Area
Planning on having seating on your island? The maximum unsupported overhang you can have without brackets is 10”. Anything deeper than that will require extra support to keep your countertops safe and sturdy.
Bottom Line & Most Important Recommendation
Consult the Experts; the fabricators who are doing this work daily. They will help you map out the seams, check the dimensions of the slab you are choosing and ensure the island is being fabricated and installed safely and functionally.
Give Us a Call Today
If you’re ready to get your project started, don’t try to go at it alone. Give us a call or stop in our showroom so that we can help you achieve the countertops of your dreams!