A QUESTION FOR THOSE WITH ISLAND BENCHES....

kyton · Mar 04, 2008 10:31 pm

Okay so have managed to snag myself some verrrrrry cheap Caesarstone

even the DH is very excited about it and am now in the process of fine tuning the kitchen design in my mind before going to see the designers.

Now if a slab of Caesarstone is 3080mm x 1340mm can I have an island bench the total width of 1340mm? Will it need special supports or anything? At this stage it will be around 4000mm in length (yep know that there will be a join but that is okay have total trust in the kitchen designer) and will incorporate the sink on top and dishwasher below along with drawers running the total remaining length of the bench. Will also be having the countertop "cascading" down to the floor on the sides (think that it is described as waterfall sides?).

Thank you kitchen gurus for your help.

Casa2 · Mar 04, 2008 10:51 pm

A Caeserstone slab is 3060 x 1440 mm. I don't see any reason why you can't go to the full width. A 1440 wide island is quite wide!!!

kyton · Mar 04, 2008 10:54 pm

Yep Casa - love the idea of a massive bench

. Our existing bench in this home is 900mm wide and 3000mm long - so am used to a bigger then normal size bench. With two babies and a messy DH it doesn't take long to fill up our bench!!

Strumer · Mar 05, 2008 10:30 am

kyton

Now if a slab of Caesarstone is 3080mm x 1340mm can I have an island bench the total width of 1340mm? Will it need special supports or anything?

If the Caesarstone is overhanging a cabinet by more than 50mm I would be investigating incorporating a "substrate" to reinforce the brekafast bar area.
Substrates are usually a sheet of MDF or HMR Colourboard - if you do use one make sure that it is coloured and edged to your liking as this substrate will be visible to a certain degree.

Cheers,

Earl

dna · Mar 05, 2008 10:34 am

Strumer

kyton

Now if a slab of Caesarstone is 3080mm x 1340mm can I have an island bench the total width of 1340mm? Will it need special supports or anything?

If the Caesarstone is overhanging a cabinet by more than 50mm I would be investigating incorporating a "substrate" to reinforce the brekafast bar area.
Substrates are usually a sheet of MDF or HMR Colourboard - if you do use one make sure that it is coloured and edged to your liking as this substrate will be visible to a certain degree.

Cheers,

Earl

Does that only apply if using 20mm? Or regardless of thickness?

Strumer · Mar 05, 2008 10:39 am

In my experience any significant overhang of Caesarstone should have a reinforcing substrate.

Definitely for 20mm.

30mm will be a bit stronger, but if you are using it on a 300mm breakfast bar I still think it should have something underneath it.

As frequently discussed, 40mm is only 20mm with built up edges, so this would definitely need it - unless you have gone completley over the top and laminated two complete slabs of 20mm...then I couldn't say.

Best thing here is to consult with the actual supplier i.e. the stonemason who will be installing the tops.

Cheers,

Earl

kyton · Mar 05, 2008 10:48 am

Thanks Earl - was hoping for your expertise to come into this discussion. Am thinking that I would have normal cupboards / drawers on the kitchen side of the bench then on the "breakfast bar"side having another couple of cupboards for things like vases so the overhang wouldn't be massive. But will discuss further options with the kitchen designer.

Casa2 · Mar 05, 2008 12:38 pm

According to the Caesarstone Technical Data Manual:

http://www.caesarstonemidwest.com/pdfs/ ... asheet.pdf

For 20 mm Caeserstone, an overhang of up to 300 mm does not need support.

dna · Mar 05, 2008 1:14 pm

Casa2

According to the Caesarstone Technical Data Manual:

http://www.caesarstonemidwest.com/pdfs/ ... asheet.pdf

For 20 mm Caeserstone, an overhang of up to 300 mm does not need support.

This was discussed previously in another post http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=3342&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=60

cuttingedgecabinets

Strumer

Hey CEC,

I had the rep from Smart Stone (Halifax Vogel Group) installing a display of their engineered stone tops in my studio on Friday and he told me that they will guarantee an unsuported extension of a 20mm top up to 300mm.

I was a bit sceptical about this but he insists that there is not a problem.
After 300mm they like to fit a double thickness to avoid breaking.

In any case I agree with you about the 40mm thickness, but was wondering if you have any thoughts about what the Smart Stone rep said?

Cheers,

Earl

Hi Earl,

I dont like it at all. I am sure that it will sit there unsupported no problem, but what happens the first time somone drops some heavy shopping bags on it or one of your boof head mates sits on it.

Problem is that common sense isnt that common and people do silly things. I would prefer to have something that will take my weight if I sit on it rather than worrying about it.

Strumer · Mar 05, 2008 1:38 pm

Casa2

According to the Caesarstone Technical Data Manual:

http://www.caesarstonemidwest.com/pdfs/ ... asheet.pdf

For 20 mm Caeserstone, an overhang of up to 300 mm does not need support.

I am waiting for a Caesarstone Rep to get back to me on exactly this question - yes the technical data states up to 300mm unsupported, No I don't believe it...as previously discussed what if soneone sits on the edge of the bench...it is only 20mm resin bonded quartz...basically the HMR of the stone industry...I need to know from Caesarstone what condtions (if any) apply to this guarrantee.

I will keep you informed of any outcome.

Cheers,

Earl

loretta · Oct 03, 2008 7:07 pm

Hi Earl

Did you ever find out the answer to your question from CaesarStone? We are currently considering the pros and cons of 20mm v 30mm.

Cheers

Loretta

Strumer · Oct 05, 2008 9:24 pm

Sorry about the delay getting back on this thread...

Since my last post my Caesarstone Rep has moved on to work for someone else and I am having difficulty getting the same level of attention from our new rep...the previous guy was fantastic and would ring me back to chat about anything...I hope to get our new guy in to the studio for a bit of a grilling soon and will see if I can get any useful information out of him.

Cheers,

Earl

loretta · Oct 05, 2008 10:47 pm

Thanks Earl!!

kexkez · Oct 06, 2008 10:32 am

Michelle posted a pic of some kitchens for someone else this morning and one had a very wide bench. have a look.

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kyton · Oct 06, 2008 11:38 am

That is basically how I want mine to look other then we are having waterfall sides. But cupboards facing into the dining area on either end with space for bar stools in between - just like the picture/