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.
The standard space between the countertop and upper cabinets is around 18 inches. This measurement allows for convenient use of countertop appliances and provides ample space for food preparation.
Flush Countertops with No Overhang
Typically, a countertop protrudes past the face of the doors and drawers so that any spills from the counter drop directly to the floor where they can be easily wiped clean (instead of dribbling down the face of the cabinets and hardware).
A standard countertop usually has an overhang of 1½ inches. Although some countertops may have a longer or shorter overhang, this number is generally the standard length for an overhang in homes.
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.
Having a 20-30mm worktop overhang at the front of the base cabinets is considered the norm. In some kitchen designs, a smaller overhang of 5-10mm is preferred, for creating a sleek, modern look.
This determines the appropriate amount of overhang needed. That is to say, don't neglect the top width. Overhangs should not exceed one-third of the top without additional support and will need support at the base. Of course, the best way to support any countertop overhang is with our heavy-duty countertop brackets.
Standard countertop overhang measurements
The standard quartz countertop overhang is 1 ½ inch. If using inset cabinetry, your quartz countertop overhang limit needs to be less than that of frameless or overlay cabinets.
A standard bathroom cabinet overhang is about 1 to 1 1/2-inches. This slight overhang is attractive and helps protect the cabinets below the counters from spills. However, some homeowners desire a larger or smaller overhang due to the benefits each can offer.
Avoid countertops that are largely plastic such as cultured marble, solid surface, and those that introduce formaldehyde, like laminate.
If you've come this far and the little gap is still haunting you, there are a few routes you can take. 1) You can ask the installer to seal the gap with caulk, or silicone. 2) You can buy and ornamental molding, and have a handyman cover the gap right up!
Quartz countertops from companies such as Caesarstone and PentalQuartz are another good option. Blackband recommends sticking with white or, if you don't like white, a neutral color, such as tan, beige or ivory. Go with a subtle pattern and low veining for a longer-lasting look.
Mainly it is a matter of cost and ease of installation. Most kitchen cabinets are built in standard sizes and, when mounted on the wall, they leave space up above which gives the installer some wiggle room when leveling the cabinets.
Guidelines recommend a minimum of 12” landing area on one side of a cooking surface, and 15” on the other side. In a peninsula or island situation, it is also recommended to have 9” of countertop behind the cooking surface if the countertop height is the same height as the surface cooking appliance.
The maximum allowable overhang is no more than 1/3 of the depth of the countertop and not to exceed 15” total. 2. Overhangs greater than 15” require the installation of corbels.
Alternatively, 20mm worktops are allowed to support a maximum 250mm unsupported overhang which is comfortable to enjoy a meal on. 30mm is also able to help in maintaining the overall load and balance of any kitchen furniture.
Since quartz countertops are the most popular choice with homeowners, there is a large variety of colours and patterns to choose from. Because of its thickness, the 3 cm quartz can provide adequate support without plywood. Since you won't need to hide the plywood underneath it, there is no need for a laminated edge.
Basic granite countertops still need an overhang if they're not going to be flush against the wall. Typically, this is just 1 in. to 2 in. of extra length for design and function. An overhang of at least a half-inch will prevent crumbs and food particles from falling from the countertops onto the drawers below.
Granite Overhang Limits Per Experts
According to the Marble Institute of America, you can safely overhang granite that is 1- 1/4″ thick up to 10″ without supports. However, the cantilevered portion cannot be more than 1/3 the total width of the countertop.
The maximum overhang is no more than 1/3 of the total dimension of the countertop – not to exceed 12”.
The bar top overhang should be a minimum of 8-1/2” and could be as much as 10” so your knees do not hit the bar front. For our extra tall customers the 10” overhang maybe necessary.
“Different countertop materials, combination wood and stone worktops, and mixed metal fixtures and hardware will become more common, as will homeowners increasingly repurposing unique furniture pieces or vintage tables as islands,” Zillow observed.