Countertops as windowsill in kitchen
joenorm
| Posted in General Questions on
My countertops are currently drawn to continue into a total of three kitchen windows. This will be in the sink area.
Has anyone done this detail? Are there things to watch out for? Is it a terrible idea in the first place?
Thanks
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We did exactly that with an 8' wide window opening at the sink (see pic). Fairly deep wall so added 6" to depth. We used granite for top and love it. A few caveats: I couldn't trim the window out until the granite was installed, so had to stand on counter (with appropriate towels, planks, etc. to distribute load), keep R.O. for window a little lower than cabinets for shim space, it's hard to install the screens, make sure you can open the window (we used casements), and the electrical inspector required an outlet within 24" of each side of sink. I had to install a temporary "box" in front of the windows with outlets that I removed after final inspection. The extra counter space and the view are great.
Joe,
I think you are suggesting something a bit different than Joel's very nice design - the counter being extended into the openings as the sills of the windows?
Yes it can be done and looks great. It requires two things to work. All three windows need to be installed and shimmed to be perfectly level. You also can't use pre-formed countertops as they won't be deep enough.
You don't end up with backsplashes, which some people find indispensable, but then they are often omitted on islands without ill effect.
It'll look great, but you'll be splashing water all over the inside of the windows. We did soapstone counters and used the same stone for window sills, but several inches above the counter. It's nice having electrical receptacles on the backsplash too.
I will echo the comment about splashing against the window. I have pretty traditional casement windows set a out 6” up. Being casements, the screens are on the inside and I have to pull the screens to clean them. Just something to think about.
I have a wood window sill and agree that countertop material there would be nice.