Kitchen Countertops, Backsplashes and Islands

There are literally hundreds of options for a new home when it comes to the kitchen. Host Jeff Wilson explores kitchen countertops, backsplashes and islands.

Kitchen Island(7 of 7)

Today's kitchen designs often incorporate another countertop workspace that stands independent from the wall -- the kitchen island. Islands are a preference and luxury item.

Consider the following when thinking about adding a kitchen island to a new home:

The amount of space available.
How will the island affect the plumbing in the kitchen?
How will the island affect the electrical plans in the kitchen? For example, you can have a disposable sink, work area, bar sink or an area to prepare vegetables (a chopping board can be incorporated into the island) in the island.
An island has to have a loop vent, which is a foot vent that has to go up and through an exterior wall.
Gas pipes going up to an island can also be a little more difficult because it doesn't use a common wall. It's more work to have to separate that line and going underneath the slab or underneath the wood floor and bringing it back up to the island.