A "Glassy" Kitchen
Sutter Photographers
The Hardware Studio - hardware
Martinwood Cabinetry - millwork
Studio GlassWorks - glass countertop
Window Design Center - awning window
Nonn's Showplace - quartz, granite countertops
• The most difficult part of the project was figuring out all the technical details to install the glass counter-top, which would weigh about 300 pounds!
• One goal was to avoid seeing the cabinet supports through the glass. The glass itself proposed problems because it had a wavy texture and separate confetti glass that could be added to the bottom. Therefore, we needed to add something below it.
• A custom steel base was designed to carry the weight yet float the glass so you are able to see the beauty of the glass itself. A small 1/2 inch trim piece on the steel was added to accomplish this task.
• Once the steel was made, we took it to the glass distributor. We turned the very heavy base upside down, traced the 1/2 inch trim piece on a full size piece of paper, and sent it to the glass manufacturer.
• After this, the base was sent to a powder coater and the raw steel was transformed into a beautiful champagne color.
• In the meantime, the glass manufacturer molded a channel for the glass to rest that would suspend the glass 1/2 inch higher than the powder coated steel base.
• The glass manufacturer was instructed to make the top of the glass smooth so it would hold a plate without rocking; they added an extra layer of 1/4 inch glass after it was fired the first time to accomplish this.
• When the base was brought to the job site, the carpenter installed a thick 6 inch block of wood through the tile and into the floor joists. The hollow 6 inch square base of the steel table was glued and screwed into the wood. The base was leveled and ready for the top to arrive several days later.
• The glass installers put it over the base, and it fit PERFECTLY! (whew)
• The steel base is 3 inches smaller than the glass, creating a see-through effect around the entire perimeter of the kidney bean shape.
• The granite was then templated by using a
specialized camera that measured the curve of the glass. However, upon arrival, the fit was less than perfect. Thanks to a patient and skilled granite installer from Nonn's Showroom who spent several hours hand grinding and polishing the curve on site until it fit perfectly.
• A small bead of silicone between the granite and the glass was all that was needed to complete the perfect installation.
• With a few shims under the end of the granite, the top is perfectly level!
• Our client was extremely excited and very patient with the process because they trusted our abilities so that the end result would be spectacular.