Use granite countertop brackets when overhanging stone counters. Considering that granite, marble, and limestone can have overhangs weighing hundreds of pounds, and considering how brittle granite countertops can be, granite support brackets are imperative. Quartz countertops often do not need support.
Use a countertop support that extends to within 4 inches of edge of your countertop. Fasten your supports to the most substantial support available. Consult with a design engineer or contractor for custom support applications.
Overhangs. The support for granite countertops will depend on the design. The standard overhang is just 1.5 inches over the cabinet, so that will not require any support. However, if the design of your countertops has a longer overhang and cantilevers, then you have to show that to your countertop supplier.
Extended Gables. A counter can be well supported by extending the side gables of an island. Ideally make the gable 2″ to 4″ thick so that it proportionality works with your size of your island. This form of support is great for adding strength to the corner of the counter overhang.
You should use a countertop bracket that extends within four inches of the countertop edge. This prevents too much pressure and weight on the countertop without proper backing. Fasten these brackets with fasteners to keep them securely in place.
The maximum overhang is no more than 1/3 of the total dimension of the countertop – not to exceed 15”. Overhang greater than 15” requires corbels or flush mounted steel supports. Supports must be designed to bear the weight of the countertop and be mounted to studs or equivalent load bearing structure.
Different countertop materials have different requirements. Solid Surface countertops can overhang 6 inches without additional support (e.g. plywood decking). 3 cm Quartz (engineered stone) can handle a 14 inch overhangs and 3 cm Granite overhangs should not exceed a 10 inch overhang without additional support.
The upper limit is usually 15 inches; anything beyond that requires extra support. More important than the length of the overhang is its proportion to the rest of the counter. The overhang should not exceed 30% of the depth of the countertop, and 70% should be supported by the cabinets underneath.
Most cabinets should hold up well for granite countertops, and provide them with proper support, as long as the granite is at least 1.25” thick.
The height of an island usually matches the height of a countertop at 36 inches. If your island has seating, the counter should overhang at least 15 inches. An island with a taller height for bar stool seating should be 42 inches high and the overhang should be at least 12 inches.
You must be thinking about standing or sitting on your countertops and unsure whether your countertops will take the weight, right? Granite is fairly thick, often at the very least ¾ of an inch. If the weight is evenly distributed over a large area, the countertops can hold up to 1000 pounds.
The plywood support will provide the granite counters with the support it needs. Besides the support, it's wise you ask the contractor to install mesh under the countertop at the dishwasher location for additional support.
Granite Bracket Thickness
They brackets are under a floating countertop, so the ascetic isn't too important. Since these brackets are mostly hidden, we highly recommend using 3/8″ or 1/2″ thicknesses, which are our two thicker models.
How many granite brackets will you need? Countertop brackets are generally spaced 18 – 24 inches apart. Start with a bracket at each end of the countertop set 4 – 6 inches away from the end.
A typical overhang for a comfortable seating area should be around 25-30cm (10-12”), this should leave enough knee room and adequate space between the countertop edge and the person seated. Therefore, as the depth of the overhang increases, so does the comfort and usability of the bar.
Granite thickness – granite tops with a thickness of 3 cm can have an 8-10 inch overhang without additional supports. If your granite top has a 2 cm thickness, we recommend attaching a support system should the overhang exceed 6 inches.
You wonder. Well, here is the answer. After the granite technicians have placed the countertops on the cabinets and ensured everything is leveled, they apply a bead of silicon at the countertop and cabinet intersections and the stone's underside. In most situations, this is enough to hold the countertop in place.
Reasons to be Cautious about Granite Countertops
Granite is porous. This means that unsealed or poorly sealed counters can absorb wine, juice or oil, producing a stain that might be impossible to remove. A poorly-sealed countertop can also harbor bacteria in its pores.
Amount of overhang you have is the most important factor to consider in deciding whether you need support brackets. Most granite fabricators will recommend support brackets on overhangs over 12″ however, solely based on the overhang amount.
Standard Overhang
A typical countertop overhang will be 1.5 inches. Keep in mind, however, that this isn't always the case. In certain instances, a larger or smaller overhang may be desired. This is more common with custom countertops.
Receptacles are NOT allowed below a countertop extending more than 6 inches beyond its base.
Usually, the conventional overhang of a countertop should be placed at 1 to 1 ½ inches above the cabinet. At the same time, the bared and exposed ends of a countertop should usually have a ½ inch overhang. The edges that suffice to a wall should not have any overhang to retain the fit flush to the wall.
In general, the recommended countertop overhang is between 1 and 1.5 inches. 'The standard overhang measurement is based on the fact that most people find this distance be the perfect place to rest their forearms while food prep is taking place,' notes Chris Alexakis, founder of CabinetSelect.
Standard countertop overhang is 1 ½ inches.
Keep in mind that this is 1 ½ inches over the front edge of the base cabinet. While some countertops may have different overhang measurements, this is the number that is seen as standard for homes. While 1 ½ inches is the most common, it's far from mandatory.