We recently worked with Windmiller Design Build on their newest model home/office in Bettendorf, Iowa and WOW this home is stunning. We were so excited to be able to source the incredible lighting selections and quartz countertop surfaces for this Quad Cities home. The kitchen includes a thickness upgrade on the countertops that is worth noting and we wanted to answer a few questions for you about it here to help inspire your own projects with us.
Calacatta Viraldi Quartz
Before we dive into the main detail this article is about, we don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to showcase the Quartz surface selected for the kitchen because it deserves the spotlight. This is a Q Quartz engineered surface from our MSI line and the design is named Calacatta Viraldi. It has been expertly templated, fabricated, and installed by our friends from Surface Resource. Surface has been installing stone tops for Village Home Stores customers for decades and we are confident in the work they do for our customers.
A neutral warm white background is highlighted with brown and green veining. Yes green! The green veining detail is a subtle element and more proof that greens can be neutral finish. This quartz would look amazing installed on a green painted cabinet or in a room that had a green wall color, but this space includes neither and it is still perfect. Stop in our showroom to see a sample of this color alongside the cabinet finish options in our sample center.
Make an Impact Full-Height Backsplash and 3” Thick Counters
This Bettendorf, Iowa home includes Calacatta Viraldi quartz for the surfaces in the kitchen. On trend upgrades have been made like a full-height backsplash slab on the cooking wall and a 3 inch thick countertop upgrade. Both of these choices can make a big impact on a space. Selecting a full-height splash makes for a clean look and an easy-to-clean wall surface in place of tile and grout lines. The visual impact of an extra thick countertop is BIG especially in an open concept great room kitchen like this.
But did you notice that this kitchen doesn’t have that 3” thick edge everywhere? Chances are you didn’t until we pointed it out. If you return to the very first image of this post, you will see that the thicker tops are only applied to the kitchen island. The impact of full-height splash on the cooking wall is the statement needed, not a thicker counter surface there. One of the great advantages of working with a trained kitchen design team is we can help balance your selections to make an impact where it matters.
Wait, is The Entire Countertop 3” Thick?
But that’s a big island top! Is the whole thing 3” thick material? Nope! We asked our fabricator a few questions about this technique and he confirmed that the 3” thickness is only applied around the perimeter of the countertop piece. The material itself comes in a maximum of a 3cm thickness, so this thicker upgraded look is achieved with a mitered edge fabrication and a color match adhesive at the edge/seam. Both surface edges and mitered edges are beveled to approximately 45 degrees. This allows the mitered edges to be “folded” over the edge at the seam. Once the color match adhesive is applied, finish work can be done to soften the edges and remove any sharpness.
NOTE: The other fabrication method available for a thicker top is a “laminated” edge option. If you take a close look at the image above from our mitered edge example, you truly must strain your eye to find the seam location. With a “laminated” fabrication/installation option you will have a more noticeable seam. This is because the standard slab of countertop is stacked with an added edge perimeter below it. Think of this as sandwiched method using two distinct elements stacked together. For some designs and material patterns, this laminated method can still offer your space a big impact at a lower fabrication cost.
Is More Material Required? What if my Stone Has a Pattern?
As you can imagine, this approach to a thicker edge does look best when material patterns can help champion the illusion of a thick top. To achieve the best results, the island top and the mitered edges are all cut from the same slab of material. This means that the mitered edges all need to be able to be cut near the main surface top edges so that veining patterns can carry over and down the sides. All of this is carefully planned and plotted our at the fabrication shop with your material patterns in consideration.
Because this technique requires more material and skill, these thicker mitered edges do include an upcharge in price. Our design team will need to know what material you are considering to get you an accurate estimate for the upgrade cost. And not just anyone can successfully achieve this look for you. This is why it is so important to work with industry experts you can trust in your home. Surface Resource has worked with us for decades and we trust them to dedicate the time and attention needed for the stone investments in your home.
Where Should You Upgrade to a Thicker Top?
Because there is an added cost to this option, we know that it can’t be done to every stone surface in your home. But for the right surface, this design detail can make a massive impact in your space. Especially if the contrast of your kitchen or bath cabinetry finish is high with the countertop material color. A bold, graphic thickness upgrade can stand out in a definite and deliberate way. The most common applications are kitchen island tops and powder or hall bathroom vanity tops. Check out this short video edit of the island tops from this Windmiller Design Build home:
Obviously, we don’t recommend our customers invest in a thicker countertop in a space that isn’t in need of the big impact it has. Bless your heart if you want to pay for this upgraded option in a hidden lower-level craft room of your home… just know that we may try and step in to talk you out of that expense. NOTE: engineered quartz is a fantastic choice for a craft or workbench space and we will not try and talk you out of that material selection, just maybe paying for the thicker edge in an unseen corner of your home.
Request a Quote Today
Our thanks to Nick at Surface Resource for helping us answer some initial questions about this luxe upgrade available for our customers. We also want to thank Aspen Windmiller Design Build for their continued business and letting us stop by this gorgeous new Quad Cities home to share the finished kitchen with you. Ready to start your own kitchen or bath design project with us? We can’t wait to hear what you are dreaming up. You can connect with our team here using the chat feature on our site or complete this short project form and a member of our team will be in touch.