kitchen

Reply to: Yes, insist on the brackets. Would you like to take a chance on the stone cracking and/or crashing down on the overhang end because it’s not properly supported? Buy the brackets yourself and install yourself if you have to. We have the ones RES posted and they are awesome (ordered direct from their site though, not via amazon) and the company was great to work with when I had questions. While you’re insisting on things, also listen to GreenDesigns and increase the overhang to the NKBA minimum of 15”. 12” is too shallow and it’s not comfortable for anything exceeding a quick snack or drink. If you don’t want to be banging knees on corbels then you probably don’t want knees and shoes banging on the back of your island cabinetry. You wouldn't think 3" makes that much of a difference, but it truly does. Don't build a huge 12 foot island and skimp on the overhang.

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Reply to: Our fabricator installed steel plates for our marble overhang when he arrived in the morning to install. He notched the cabinets, installed the plates, then installed the marble.

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Reply to: I would add additional cross pieces to the stretchers, in an H pattern. Long runs of wood tend to become warped with humidity changes. Cross bracing will offer addition support and help to prevent that. There comes a point when the wood length is just too long and will need a 3rd leg in the middle. 8’ approaches that. It depends on the climate and engineering. Steel is stronger, more stable, and can support better, with the wood stretcher aprons only being decorative. On long or deep overhangs, it is a far better choice for the structural components, leaving the wood as a facade.

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Reply to: I have worked in a natural stone distribution center and we are good friends with the granite fabricators. Speaking only to natural stone, most would recommend for the stone support to add a corbel or hidden metal brace every 24” to be located under the stone countertop where it meets the base cabinet.. Hope this makes sense!

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Reply to: The pictured legs and stretchers will adequately support a 3cm 15" natural stone cantilever.

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Reply to: Your fabricator is a hack and you can tell him I said so. The industry standards, set by the Natural Stone Institute (not me), require support with any 3cm stone cantilever over 10". Have him Google it please. Since you have an "L" cantilever, you need a custom steel frame. I'd recommend 1" square tube let into your cabinets with the welds ground flat and painted flat black. Furthermore, you don't bond dissimilar materials such as plywood and stone, you accommodate the natural movement between them with dabs of silicone.

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Reply to: Steel supports that can be hidden or go with full wood corbels. If you want to buy them and do it yourself, check with Osbornewood.com - they have nice stuff.

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Reply to: You can have the granite fabricator install steel supports that will not even show unless you look under the counter. I use these all the time even when I have legs on each end of a long island.

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Reply to: Absolutely: here's a great example of that done well: http://granitegrannies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/02-25-10_152709.jpg

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