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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

Will island be taller with miter edge?

5 years ago

We would like a 2 to 3 inch mitered edge on our island to give the illusion of a fat slab of quartz. We decided to do this after our cabinets are already mostly installed.
I would guess the countertop usually rests on the top of the cabinets? So I assume we need to build up the top of the cabinets with extra plywood to make space for the longer vertical edge of the counter so it doesn’t stop us from opening drawers/cupboards? Since our cabinets are not custom and don’t have extra high tops (space above the drawers)...
If only the island has the mitered edge is this going to make the island countertop taller than the rest of our kitchen that does not have the mitered edge? Is that unusual? Will it look weird? Will it be uncomfortable? I’ve seen lots of photos like this but I don’t know how it’s done and I’ve never actually seen it in person.
Am I correct to assume that you can’t really do a mitered edge in an area where there is a range because the range comes with a certain height, and adding plywood and extra edge to the counter will make the counter taller than the oven?

Featured Answer

K R

5 years ago

We have a mitered edge...honestly I never even had the thoughts you do about it lol! I was going for looks. Yes it is slightly higher than than the perimeter but the only way you can see that is when you squat down and actually look, nobody can tell. No, it is not uncomfortable, we sit there almost every day.

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Comments (6)

PRO
Creative Design Cabinetry
5 years ago
When we are planning a thicker top for an island, we allow for it by lowering the cabinets so the height of the countertops match. This is done if the is nothing in the island that will prohibit this such as a dishwasher.

It doesn't work well lifting things from one surface, pivot around to set it down, and bump your heavy item on the other top that is 1" higher. Kind of like going down stairs at night that are uneven.

Many ranges will adjust higher or have optional levelers for the higher counters.
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Mitered edge or flat edge with the added piece in the middle?
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Comments (11)
Hey bahacca! "Your" slab was still there last time I was there - but that was several weeks ago now when I got things firmed up to ship my slabs to AZ. (And it was Robert's last day. :( I liked him! He was off to bigger and better things in Seattle, WA.) Hi cmlind - I hadn't thought about what bahacca mentioned about the thinness of the edge. I decided to go with just a flat edge. This is a new build and everything has been difficult (some of my own making - like requesting a new exterior color option - and getting it!! :) so I'm just going with the normal edge to make one thing somewhat easier. I also have confidence in my fabricator because my designer said he is awesome. She also said a mitered edge was quite a bit more expensive. And, unfortunately my granite is only 2cm so there will be a seam all the way around the front of the counters that I was not going to have mitered, so... I'm going with a regular cut. I told the designer to tell the fabricator I'm pretty anal about seams so to match things up as well as utterly possible. :) Sorry to hear about your marble seam not looking good egganddart. I'm going with marble in the bathrooms and am sure there will be a seam in the 90" vanity. Although I hope not! Hope it looks ok!
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Is this what a mitered granite edge should look like?
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Comments (33)
Yes, they put in an extra piece of plywood because I chose such a thick edge, but we actually factored in the extra 5/8" plywood when we designed the height of the cabinets too, so that the final counter height was the height that we wanted--I am only 5'2" so my counters would usually be shorter but I designed them for a taller (average) person so they have a finished height of 37.5".
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Hi Joseph and thanks. I’ve seen your posts regarding this issue. I looked online for the LG Studio gas range and see no specs or requirements regarding how close to the back wall. Is that what I’m looking for?
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Hi Jenn, That was my kitchen that is "inspiring" you so thanks for the compliment! That is leathered granite with a mitered edge. Stacked edge would show the seam between the 2 layers of counter top as shown below. Unless you are planning a contemporary/modern kitchen, waterfall might look out of place.
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Tanna M
Original Author
5 years ago
We have a bar fridge in the island. Nothing else. Do you think that would cause a problem? Do you take height from the cabinets but cutting from the base?
PRO
Creative Design Cabinetry
5 years ago
You can lower the cabinets to the minimum height the refer specs says. We usually build the cabinets with the same matching toe kick and remove from the upper portion. You don't want any noticeable differences between the island and the other cabinets.

The easiest is just keep all the tops the same thickness as below
teshouse
4 years ago
KR - out of curiosity what was your island finished height? BTW love the countertops with mitered corners!
K R
4 years ago
37” from floor to top of counter.

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