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Soapstone dilemma re mounting sink and overhang

15 years ago

I hope you soapstone mavens can help me! I really want to use the wonderful soapstone I found on my island. It's the perfect thing. But I have two issues:

My island sink is keyhole shaped, with a long narrow trough and a small round basin at one end. It's an undermount that attaches with clips. The narrow channel is going to be pretty weird with 3 cm of stone on top, however. The cabinet maker says to cut away the stone underneath to lessen the thickness around the sink, but won't that weaken the stone, right where it needs to be the strongest?

Also, the island cabinets are 39" deep (by about 60" long), with an additional 6" of overhang. Can that be done without plywood underneath? Under the overhang are all the services so there's no way to use corbels or anything to support the stone.

Thank you for all the information and opinions you have to offer.

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Comments (5)

caryscott
15 years ago
According to this company an unsupported overhag of up to 12" is possible. The other doesn't make any sense to me because I don't understand how they would do it or why it's necessary - is the extra depth added by the full thickness of the countertop going to make the sink less functional? Why?

Here is a link that might be useful: Canadian Soapstone
happytobehome
15 years ago
Our fabricator told us that it is very difficult to cut soapstone thinner than the standard without breakage. We wanted a thinner piece for our kitchen window sill, but ended up increasing the space for the sill, rather than decreasing the thickness of the soapstone. I would definitely talk to a soapstone expert about this, rather than the cabinet maker. Can you post a link to a picture of your island sink?
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User
15 years ago
How wide is your trough sink? I have the Kohler trough sink in my soapstone island which is 6 inches wide. Hers's a pic. It is not the most useful sink FYI. I would definitely get a wider one next time.
plllog
Original Author
15 years ago
Wow! Thanks! Together you've answered all of my questions!

The sink is Kohler Bordelaise

I'll be getting a soapstone pro for the installation, but the cabinet maker needs to know now if I'm using it so he can finalize the drawings. With what you've told me, I think I can go ahead without worrying too much. And I like this so much more than granite...

Thanks, all!
artisanslove
15 years ago
Greg at Soapstone Werks is a true expert in the field of Soapstone and anything techincal about installation. He's been installing it as well as other stone for 20 years.
Call him I found him very helpful.

Greg Bergmann
Soapstonewerks
(760) 739-0655

info@soapstonewerks.com

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