support for granite countertop

We are changing out countertops to 3 cm granite. the bar top extends about 8 3/4 inches past the supporting wall. The total width is 15". The height is 47". The length is 64" with a 45 degree angle, then 54" more of bar top, another 45 degree angle, then about 30 inches more in length. Do we need supports for the bar? At what width does it become necessary for bracket supports? We could make the bar counter more narrow if necessary.

 

Dear Belva:

According to the “standards” of the Marble Institute of America (MIA) the overhang of a 3” thick granite countertop can go as far as 11” without support.

Unfortunately, the MIA did not have enough time out their busy stone-promoting schedules to find out that only a scant 2% of the stones traded as granite are indeed true geological granite or next of kin, while the reminder 98% are stones that in the vast majority of the instances have no relation whatsoever to granite and to each other. Therefore, if you ask me, a “standard” like that is, well, just a… “standard”.

Therefore, my answer to your question is that nobody actually knows. It all depends on your “granite”. If it is uniform and dense, then the MIA “standard” could be used as a reference; but if it is a stone that's brittle or fractured (so-called “exotic granite” – whatever the heck it means), then if it were my own home I would support them after 5” or even less, depending on the stone.

 

Welcome to the stone industry, where everything is kept simple through ignorance! L

 

Now remember, it's never too early to think about the proper maintenance of your stone. The issue of what you'll be doing day in and day out to your stone is – as it should be intuitive – vastly more important than its sealing (if and when possible and/or advisable) and it's all too often neglected. As you can tell by reading many of this site's postings, you're not likely to get good information about routine care from your dealer or installer. Don't become another statistic! By logging into the Helpful Hints section of our website at:   http://www.mbstone.com/HH_promo/helpful_hints.htm , you will be able to get the short version of our maintenance guidelines at no charge. The full version of it – a 7-page document considered by many as an industry benchmark – is available in pay-per-download format in our Educational Literature section at:   http://www.mbstone.com/literature/literature.htm .  

And remember, every single penny of the cost of the literature will be used to support this site and its cause: your cause.

While you are in the “Helpful Hints” section, do spend some time reading all of the interesting FREE articles you'll find in there!

Finally, keep in mind that we need your support to help us helping you!

Will you please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?    

By spreading the word about this valuable site among your friend & family and the stone trades' people you've been dealing with, you will be rendering everybody a valuable service!

Thank you  

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

www.marblecleaning.org – The only Consumers' Portal to the Stone Industry Establishment!