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.
The standard 12-inch overhang is ideal for most people, providing a comfortable and practical seating area. A 10-inch overhang can work if space is limited, but it might not be as comfortable. An 18-inch overhang offers plenty of legroom but requires additional support.
For starters, make sure you design your island with enough space underneath the counter for your knees. Generally speaking, a countertop overhang of 12-18” is a good place to start. It's worth noting that 12” likely won't allow your bar stools to tuck in all the way.
Counter Height Seating & Overhang
When you move up to counter height, which is level with the standard base cabinet height, approximately 36” off the floor, the ideal knee space for an island overhang is 15” deep.
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.
The usual maximum for an unsupported overhang in granite or quartz is between 250mm-300mm depending on the thickness. Larger overhangs will require extra support by way of breakfast bar leg or some sort of downstand/end support panel or brace.
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.
The ideal island overhang for seating depends on your personal preference and the size of your kitchen. Generally, for comfortable seating, you'll need at least 12 inches of overhang. This allows enough space for legs and knees without feeling cramped.
Overhang is how much the top projects out over the base. Four inches along the sides and ends is a safe dimension.
For counter-height barstools with a seat height of 24 inches, a 15 to 18-inch overhang is ideal. If you prefer a more spacious seating arrangement or have larger barstools, you can consider adding a few more inches to the overhang length.
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.
SEATING CAPACITY
We generally recommend allowing 24 inches of space per person seated at your table. You can go less, but it starts getting tight. Allow a minimum of 2 inches (tight) to 6+ inches (roomy) between chairs.
Most building codes recommend a minimum roof overhang length of about 12 inches for eaves. This length is generally enough to direct water away from the walls and windows, helping to prevent potential water damage to the foundation and siding.
Always use the necessary support for your quartz countertop overhang. Especially if it is over 14 inches.
For the eaves, which are the lower edges of the roof, the overhang should be between 12 and 18 inches. This means the roof should stick out 1 to 1.5 feet past the walls. For the rakes, which are the sloped edges of the roof at the gable ends, the overhang should be about 8 inches.
California allows cargo to overhang a vehicle by 4 feet beyond the rear, 3 feet beyond the front and 4 inches beyond the side of the vehicle. You must use markings if the load extends 1 foot or more to the left or over 4 feet to the rear of any vehicle.
How far should a table overhang a banquette? To comfortably sit without leaning forward while eating or reaching for items on the table, allow 4 to 5 inches of overlap above the banquette seating.
Overhang. If you plan to include seating at the island, provide a comfortable overhang for legroom. A typical overhang for seating is around 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) from the edge of the countertop to the outer edge of the seating area.
While glass tabletop overhang is again a matter of personal taste, the ideal glass table should not have a glass top overhang that is more than one-third of its width.
The typical measurement for island overhang is up to 12 inches, which should provide sufficient space for people to fit their knees comfortably underneath. If you feel you need more room, you could extend the overhang even further.
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.
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.
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.
Brackets and corbels: Metal brackets or decorative corbels are commonly used to support overhangs. Wooden corbels are an older style support, which still work just fine in many remodels! You may have them in your home already.
Edge Banding: Edge banding will help to band the exposed edges of the plywood. This can be a thin strip of wood or veneer that matches the finish of the quartz or granite countertop. Edge banding hides the plywood and adds a professional touch to the overall appearance.