her sketch is roughly 53 sq ft. Although some portions of stone are missing so lets say its actually 48 sq ft.

48 sq ft x 20 pounds per sq ft. = 960pounds

960 pounds - i have installers in sets of 3 so that is 320 pounds per person to carry. i would sent 2 trucks for this job. so 6 men.

You also need to factor in the steel needed for support of that overhang. That is not something the typical granite fabricator will do. They will expect that to be in place before the stone is installed.

Rhonda, have you looked into using bookmatched slabs, where the seam is part of the design? Gotta get a cool stone to make it worth doing, but it can be a really nice (and somewhat upscale) look.

Hanstone has some of the largest jumbo slabs available in certain colors.

HanStone Quartz - Jumbo Slab - 65" x 130"

However, you lose about an inch for routing the rough edges. So usable slab is only about 64x129. To shorten the length, clip the corners at either end.

I think my fabricator would do this....I have had them do quite large island tops before without seams. But Soph could be right about the shape and sink cutout. This is something you'll just have to ask your fabricators. Expect to pay more for seamless too.

"You also need to factor in the steel needed for support of that overhang."

With the specified 37" width and subtracting 1 1/2" overhang on the front, 24" for the cabinet, that leaves an 11 1/2" cantilever which is 3 1/2" less than the 15" unsupported cantilever the engineered stone manufacturer allows. No steel is necessary.

Clipping 1 1/2" off the cantilever, making it 10", would allow the installation of 3cm stone with no additional support, according the the Natural Stone Institute.

"However, you lose about an inch for routing the rough edges. So usable slab is only about 64x129. To shorten the length, clip the corners at either end."

Engineered stone manufacturers guarantee that the fabricator will get the dimensions they've specified of useable material at a minimum. Sometimes fabricators will get lucky and get an extra inch or so.

If you did a farm style sink, couldn't you only have one very small seam behind the sink?

She could but the odds of her getting to pick where she wants her seam are small. To us a seam could be placed anywhere theoretically. But only a fabricator can 100% for sure know where the seam is going. It also depends on her material too.

Joe has the most expertise of anyone. He says it can be done as a single. Look for a fabricator until you find one with the same level of skill and get what you want.

When I put in my zip code and granite fabricators I get a map with a list and a tab for More. You can put in a zip from other metro areas near you and get a bigger group to contact. Your job is simply and straightforward to bid. Mention you'd be ok with precut corners for the sink.

Yikes - a 48 sq foot island? That's almost as much countertop I have in my entire kitchen!

Rhonda - what kind of counters do you have now on the island? Would you consider something like solid surface (Joe mentioned it earlier). It's a lot lighter than granite or quartz and I would think be much easier to get seamless.

There isn't more than 35sf on that island as drawn. At 16 pounds per square foot, that island weighs about 560 pounds. Tough, but a two man carry with proper equipment. Watch these two guys lift 800 pounds with no hands at the end of this video.

48 was just a guess. and I have no idea what material Joseph is talking about because my slabs start at 20 per square foot and go up to 30.

I am not saying your counters cannot support it. I am saying that due to the angles of the stone it can be difficult for men to carry it into your home.

Thanks for backing me up, Joe. I think my granite guys used that system, I saw them wearing some weightlifter type gear I didn’t understand at the time.

Rhonda, I just noticed you are in Akron? You are in a different state but same region as me. Here’s a link to the stone distributor where I chose my slabs. When I had my counter material choice narrowed down, they could tell me over the phone what sizes it came in. It’s worth the trip to see so many slabs in person.

http://www.montgranite.com/experience

I was typing while you were responding. My advice is make an appointment at Mont, bring your notes and ask their advice on fabricator/installers they work with in your area. As you have seen here, they all have different opinions and approaches to your design dilemma.

One more thought, if it ends up a seam cannot be avoided- the noticeability of seams comes down to both the skill of your fabricator and choice of material. For instance, a stone with lots of pattern and movement is difficult to match and look inconspicuous without bookending (buying two mirror image slabs, which adds to the cost).

I would inquire about adding a few inches to your overhang, if you are able to move the sectional and any other object on your aisles to compensate.

I was able to get an almost invisible seam on my quartz. My quartz was cut on a CNC machine and there is no chipping along the cuts. The slabs were pulled together electronically using a seam setter. The installer had a good eye for color-matching the epoxy to the slab. My quartz is fine particles, like sand.

here is what i came up with. hopes this helps

"48 was just a guess. and I have no idea what material Joseph is talking about because my slabs start at 20 per square foot and go up to 30."

Catt:

We need to work on this together; I'll trust your measurements. According to Caesarstone, a 30mm (1.1811 inches thick) sheet weighs 727.52 pounds. 727.52 divided by 47.25 (120.07" x 56.67" = 47.25sf) At 330kg, that sheet weighs 15.39 pounds per square foot. 39.6sf x 15.39 pounds per square foot means that top weighs 609.44 pounds. More than my guess, less than yours.

i dont know what to tell you Joseph. I go based on the scales I use in my shop.

I am a fabricator. We do big islands all the time. Largest (so far) was over 1300 lbs. Most fabricators will avoid seams in big islands whenever possible. Limit on island size is slab size. 128 X 63" or 130 X 65" for jumbo quartz slabs. 140 X 70" would be a really big stone slab but I have seen ones many time almost that big. The limiting factor on island size is not weight but access. With good access the island is carted in and tipped on to the cabinet. At no time are the installers dealing with the entire weight of the slab, A sink in a really big island is not usually a concern because even with the sink hole there is a LOT of material remaining. If there are steps to be negotiated then often the island will have a seam. We have, on occasion, used a rough terrain fork truck and a boom to load a jumbo island into a kitchen (most recently for a 2nd floor condo) thru a large, unfinished window opening but this takes considerable coordination by the GC. When done that way it's actually easier than a normal install.

Do let us know how it turns out, Rhonda. My non-pro opinion after reading this is that your wish is technically possible, but dependent on both finding a material you like in a large slab, and a fabricator willing and able to take on the job. I hope the stone distributor can point you in a good direction.

Good luck! I also checked Hanstone's site as I am considering one of their patterns. The Montauk pattern that you like does come in a jumbo slab of 65" x 130".

I was also going to ask if you've considered book matched slabs (as Fori did above.) If you like a stone with lots of movement that could look beautiful.

Hi Rhonda,

Cambria is not a seamless product, no different than any other Quartz product. The issue of a dirty seam will not be solved with another product. We wish you the best of luck in your search and feel free to call 1-866-CAMBRIA with any additional questions.

Thank you.

I am a fabricator. Properly done a seam in quartz is so tight it is very inconspicious even up close. We don't even color match the seam adhesive (we use clear) because with a hairline seam theres not enough adhesive to show a color. With the right fabricator you should be able to get a seam that has to be looked for to be noticed.

Rhonda, what are you getting?

Nice! Thanks.

I have been using Cambria for a long time and the size is available and the weight is not an issue for a good fabricator.Where are you located?

Love your new countertops! I am also looking at Montauk. Could you tell me what your edge and sink are? Also the color of your island cabinets. Thanks!

Beautiful kitchen! I'm looking at Hanstone Montauk too. Would you mind sharing the price per sq foot you paid? Thanks.

The length says 132 but how did you get a 130" slab fit the 132". My island is 132 as well and I can't find a hanstone in that size.