Pitched Edge

     Yesterday I worked with a couple from Olympia who are doing an island only with surrounding countertops to be laminate chosen after the granite is selected.  They are in a great situation as they have no overhangs, just cabinets below, so they have the advantage of selecting either a 3 cm material or a laminated 2 cm material.  A lot of times, in looking at islands, it seems like the architect or cabinet designer hasn't fully thought out if the island will be larger than a normal slab resulting in a large seam or large unsupported overhangs such as eating bars etc.  In a 2 cm with plywood, you  can overhang about 12" without re-support such as corbells etc.  With 3 cm you are limited to about 9".  There are a few other steps that can be taken, such as rodding the underside of a 3 cm material or imbedding flat bar into the substrate for 2 cm, if necessary.  A number of jobs chose to laminate the 3 cm material to about 2-1/2" finished edge, which really sets the island apart as a centerpiece of the kitchen.  To laminate 3 cm you will also need a sub-top of usually 1" material.
     In this case, the island is about 48" x 84" so easily fits on most slabs. We will be looking at a special edge which looks broken that is called pitched edge. 

We have a special new tool that creates a natural broken look either in a single edge or built-up.  Examples of this can be seen at RAS showroom in Tacoma.  Since there will be a cut-out for a cook-top, we will want to map out where the island will be cut and how it will be visually seen  in the kitchen space, so we know exactly what will be lost in the cut-out.  Sometimes the cut-out is saved and used later as a lazy susan or cutting board etc, if the edges are later finished.  Usually the home owners are involved in how the island will be cut on the slab, so they can anticipate the finished look.  We found several choices that would allow good possibilities for the laminate color choice.  The clients have been married over 30 years and this is the first kitchen remodel for them, so very exciting!