We're not sure about fabricating the slate on our own. But we are in NH and there are a lot of granite fabricators around, so we figure we can always interrogate them :) Though the kitchen is large and has a great big fireplace in it, if we use the existing cabinet layout, the counters are broken down into several 4 to 5 foot spaces. There currently is no island, we have a table for my 91 year old father to eat at. I also got a free hutch that I will paint and then use it to replace one of the cabinet runs next to the stove. So I'm still planning and dreaming and collecting great finds on craigslist. Funny, several years ago when I first discovered craigslist, I found that not only can you furnish an entire house for free but you can also get free mobile homes. Currently I'm looking for a round solid wood top table to repurpose. I know if I'm patient I can get it for free (and since I want to paint it, I don't want to pay for it!!!!). I built 2 glasshouses out of old windows and doors from craigslist too. It's a lot of fun and sometimes I regret all the money spent on house stuff. If you search under my user name, lots of pics of the house will show up on the home dec forum and the holiday forum. The glass houses may also be on the small house forum.

Glue or nail. No floating. If you are worried about glue down...then you might have to look for a floating option. The UV coating isn't much of a problem. It will have some wear characteristics (scratches, etc) but with 6mm wear layer you can refinish anytime. The off-gassing isn't something I would worry about. Factory finishes are UV cured = super quick (like a few minutes).

Competitors models noise at 100% would be roughly the same, minus the hissing sound when it shuts off. Given how your unit is situated you may not hear the hissing sound on off cycle. It doesn't last that long maybe 5 seconds and may be more of a swooshing sound in winter at colder temps. I've only heard it after running in cooling cycle in warm weather. You might be able to get better 'rough' estimates in terms of performance via amp draws. Find out how many heat strips you have. Typically these are strung in 5kw sizing strings. If this system is large you may have 3 or 4 strips. A 5kw strip pulls about 20 amps. 4 x 20 = 80 amps. That is one heck of a load. Your Heat Pump may pull as low as 5amps up to maybe 15amps in high. For this reason, lower temps, moisture in air and ultimately how much defrost is required would be the wild card(s) of a heat pump system. I don't know that you'll ever know for sure what the breakeven point is because OAT conditions change. Humidity, rain, snow etc. can change your performance meters... when only considering temperature alone. Meaning if the unit is buried in snow at 25 degrees, is likely not the same running at 25 degrees not buried in snow.

Does anyone have experience or instructions for disassembling these for a move? I've contacted Macy's and they told me to contact the manufacturer (Kuka) directly, which I did, but getting very strange answers about the product, as if they don't actually know how it's put together. We have the two power recliners that are linked together. But do the arms detach also? The manufacturer is telling me to lift entire unit by the arms and they are telling me it doesn't come apart in the middle. Both of these answers seem problematic, but the items were delivered and installed by Macy's several years ago, and I can't quite remember how they were put together. I have asked Kuka directly for some sort of user's manual, but no luck.