@mudworm, I've never seen any numbers on what overhang soapstone can handle without support. Because it is softer than granite, I'd guess that it wouldn't handle as much - but there are different kinds of strengths so I could be wrong. Maybe you could put up a post with a title like "How much support for a soapstone overhang?" Something to get the folks who know soapstone better to comment. You wouldn't wand to do it without a subtop and have it crack - especially if it fell on someones foot. You might think of it as a sub-top rather than a rough top. You want a finished surface because it will be visible. It could be plywood with a 1/4 round molding along the edge painted to match the wall. Or wood veneer to match your cabinets. @natal - the raw granite for our island cost over $2000 - that's not counting the fab. Looking around on the web, piece of cherry veneer cabinet grade 3/4" plywood, 4 x 8 is less than $200. I'm sorry that I didn't think of it at the time. It's true that isn't a big deal to not have that touch, but it would have been worth the small additional cost to me.

We ended up going with Pristine, and it's absolutely beautiful. It's been a year, and it looks brand new, no stains or issues. I love it even more than expected. My husband is thrilled and the whole room looks elevated. We used BM Simply White for the cabinets and SuperCore oak natural for the floors. Check my profile for pics in progress (old floors, tho). We've chosen Satori venatino marble subway tiles for the backslash and all these whites are compatible-- no issues with warm/cool undertones fighting. I'll be sealing the marble on all 6 sizes via a dunk in 511 sealer. Can't wait to see it finished-- the marble could've been risky against a marble-look quartz, but it looks absolutely perfect and gorgeous together.

Go look at slabs in person. Some I thought I liked I hated in the showroom. I am not into the very large veiny quartz counters that are out now, I like simple with some small pattern within. We went with santamargherita vermont (opus stone) and are very happy with it. A subtle pattern and true white background, didn't want yellow or gray.

Each quartz manufacturer has its own set of guidelines for overhang support. Though some of those guidelines are light on details, it would be the first place to start. As an example, here are the Guidelines for Dupont Zodiaq, which I have used. p. 43 above: "Acceptable substructure materials are moisture-resistant MDFboard, plywood, structural steel and wood. Particleboard is not an acceptable substructure material. Flexible or epoxy adhesive is recommended to fasten a Zodiaq®top to its substructure."