bar or kitchen island overhang – how much?
Sunday, August 30th, 2009 at
7:17 pm
i’m building a bar where bar stools will be used and wondered how much of an over hang is normal? it will have a normal formica counter top…. i’m afraid too much overhang will cause cracking if someone leans.
thanks
Tagged with: bar stools • building a bar • formica counter top • overhang
Filed under: Your Community Center
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I just had an island installed yesterday and today the guys came to do the tile. They recommended 12". I only wanted 3 counter stools–2 are on the wide part of the island and the third one is at the end. It seems to be pretty sturdy.
To be on the safe side you may want to wander up to Lowe’s or Home Depot and ask them what they recommend. I’m going to assume you’ll need plywood to put down first on the cabinet opening and then the Wonderboard so the adhesive can work to hold the formica in place. I’m not an expert on this part, so check with the professionals at the stores.
To keep the overhang steady we bought "rope" posts that are at the ends of the countertop to hold it up in place.
We went with 18". We also reinforced it with brackets underneath for the exact reason you are talking about. They don’t have to be huge brackets and we set them about18" apart. They do not have to be large just about 12" x 12". Really they are not very noticeable at all. Anything less then 18" it is hard to get a bar stool with someone on it close enough to be comfortable. Good Luck!!!!
Hi you need to have at least 14 inches min ….. if you want to try parking a bar stool less than 14 inches away from a wall then sit on it and see how hard it is.. ps if the laminate top is normal thickness ie 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 inches dont worry it will not crack over this distance ( ive fitted 100s with no probs )
Valid answers so far; and some affirmation that it’s not an industry standard; at least not in a home.
Certainly you might double layer the top allowing 1 1/2 inches plus whatever the finish happens to be. Of course you can add brackets under; but depending on the type; someone might end up scraping a knee.
No disrespect intended; but I’ve been in bars where the TOP was no more than a 2 or 3 inch overhang, and some that had foot rails or a step.
You should also CLEAT and attach the TOP from underneath ; adding support; (Not through the top (Under the Mica)
Doubling the Top will also allow that you have adequate thickness to attach a face/molding; if you choose to go that route. I suggest anyone who can CRACK inch and a half PLY or MDF; should probably not sit at the bar.
Steven Wolf