Counter height window: should I replace existing?
smm5525
7 years ago
I have an existing 70" wide by 52" high window on my sink wall. It's regular not counter height. We are adding two counter height Windows to the back wall flanking cooktop. I can't decide if I should redo the existing one to match ($1500 cost). The new one would be 50" w x 52" high but I would gain wall space for a hutch style cabinet to house dishes directly from dishwasher. See drawing
If we keep existing window, I would forgo the hutch cabinet on the right. But then my windows won't all be counter height.
Thoughts?
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emilyam819
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Weeks without counters or sink when replacing countertops--true?
Comments (11)Thank you for all the feedback! I just didn't know what to expect since I was getting this conflicting information. I have to admit that my gut is that I will get a better end product if there are no countertops in place when the templating is done, and that is how fabricator number two (my preferred one)operates. Good suggestions on asking why it takes so long after the templating is done to get the counters installed, especially since the material is right here in town already, and the fabricator only needs to go over to the yard to pick it up. I can more easily see living for three weeks without countertops than the sink (and as my husband said, if there is no sink there is also no dishwasher!). Since we plan to reuse our sink, I think I am going to talk to them about the possiblity of leaving the sink in as someone else here did. I appreciate the personal stories and the advice....See More3 CM Quartz Countertop to replace 4 CM Laminate Countertop
Comments (21)You do not need to stack two 2cm slabs on top of each other to make it look like you are using 4cm thick slabs. You only need a small amount of extra material (1-2â inches depending on edge type) to beef up just the outside edges of the counters. Laminated or mitered edges are very common here in So. Cal., where most stone and quartz is sold in 2cm size, rather than 3cm. The fabricator will put a 5/8â thick plywood subtop that is a little narrower than the finished counter size on top of the cabinet. Then the 2cm slab counter is put on top of the plywood. A narrow strip of the quartz is attached just at the edge of the counter to hide the edge of the plywood and make the whole counter look thicker. For standard 24â deep cabinets, the finished counter width with overhang is typically 25.5.â I donâÂÂt know what brand of quartz you plan to buy, but Caesarstone slabs are 56.5â wide, Hanstone is 55â wide, Silestone is 54âÂÂ, Cambria is 55.â (Some brands sell wider âÂÂjumboâ slabs if you have deeper counters.) Assuming a 55â wide slab, two 25.5â deep counters will use up 51â (plus a small amount of loss in the cutting process), leaving the few inches you need for the edge strips. You should need the same number of slabs whether you use 2cm or 3cm material. The thinner material will cost less, which should offset the increased labor cost for the laminated or mitered edge. I am going to try to attach pictures that show the different types of edges....See Morewhich comes first: counter-height windows or counters?
Comments (5)I put in a counter height window after the cabinets were in, so any necessary shimming wouldn't mess up the height. The window should be installed before the counters are templated if you want the countertop to extend onto the window sill area. You need to know the exact heights of everything ahead of time so it all matches up. It is nice for the counter to extend onto the sill but unfortunately, it snowed the day of my window install (the only snow of the whole year) and the counters were templated before the window was put in. So I ended up with the counter being installed the same day as the window. Talk about chaos. I still haven't filled in that tiny strip of sill because I am still irritated about the chain of events. I am hoping when I get soapstone counters put in my bathroom, they can add the strip to the counter. Since soapstone has an invisible seam, it should look okay. It was one of the few things I paid for because I was nervous about the height of the cutout but it was not a big deal for the guy that did the work. by the way; shezzy; I love your butcher block piece!!!!...See MoreReplacing sink on existing laminate countertop possible?
Comments (8)A contractor to change a sink!!?? (Falling down laughing) It is sooooo easy. Measure the sink you have - side to side and back to front. That is the size you can get (and yes these things are standard sizes --- with laminate, they probably did a basic 33" sink) (1) Go under the sink and turn off the water - should have shut off valves there and if not turn off the water at the main shutoff in the basement - you should know where the shutoffs are as it is critical to shut off the water if a pipe ever lets go (2) Take pipe wrench or very large pilers and detach the faucet pipes (water lines, sprayer line, faucet) and the drain pipe (3) Unscrew the metal clips holding the sink to the counter (run your fingers around the sink edges underneath - you will find them) (5) Pull the faucet out from on top (6) Give the sink a shove rom below to see how loose it is -if water is dripping down, the adhesive or caulk seal is long gone or never existed (7) Take a 5 in 1 painters tool (wood handle is best) and tap it with a hammer under the edges on top (8) Lift sink out (9) clean where the sink edges where (10) bring in new sink and drop it in hole (11) DO 1 -6 in reverse Takes about 15-20 minutes to get it out and another 15-20 minutes to put it back It takes the most time to get the stuff that lives under the sink out of the sink cabinet We have done several sinks through various houses...See Moreemilyam819
7 years agosmm5525
7 years agosmm5525
7 years agonancyjwb
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoI don't understand why changing to counter height will require that it be wider also, and preclude the dish hutch. ETA- I get it now after rereading, never mind!
Regardless, I believe I would replace the window and do the dish hutch. I think that would be worth $1500 to me. Something like this would be lovely to let the light shine through.
Indoor Outdoor Kitchen · More Infosmm5525 thanked nancyjwbsmm5525
7 years agosmm5525
7 years agosmm5525
7 years ago
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