Should we put metal bars into the granite counter top?

I am considering between 2 different places to buy my granite counter top from, and both of them have different “ideas” for my situarion. I have a breakfast table that extends 6 feet from the wall and is 24 inches wide.  The first 2 feet of granite is going to be laying directly on top of a hidden cabinet, which is 12 inches wide (with 12″ on it overhanging).  Then we have 3 feet the granite without anything under it, and then there is a 4″ support leg (stainless steel), which will have a 16″ top plate (on which the granite will rest).  This means that in reality, there is only about 28 inches of “hanging” granite of the breakfast table. The dillema is that one of the guys wants to put four 5/16″ steel rods for the whole length of the table to “strengthen” it, while the other dealer thinks that this will actually make the granite weaker. Can someone please shed some light as to who may be right, as it looks like both of them have a lot of experience. BTW:  The reason I don’t want to have any plywood running the lenght of the table, is that the height of the under-counter cabinet (the first two feet) are already 34 & 1/2″, and my breakfast table needs to be the same 36″  as the countertop.  Also, the under-cabinet has a swing doors, which would be blocked if anything is added to it. Thanks for your input!

mystiky

in Counters 13 years and 3 months ago

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hdlbklyn | 13 years and 3 months ago

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I’d say extend it as far as you can. I’d at least go to within 2″ of the edge on all sides and you should not need to cut the stone at all (see nyc_sport math above). The steel can be painted to complement the stone color and you can adjust the setback from the edge to act as a reveal between the cabinets and the stone (or you could make it flush with the cabinet boxes. Typically, countertops overhang the cabinet boxes by an inch which would be about .25 inches in front of the door/drawer faces when closed. You’ll also want to affix the stone to the steel in some manner. Epoxy is permanent. Silicone caulk might allow a dismount but can possibly leetch into the stone and cause staining (rare for granite). Consult the stone supplier for a reccommendation. BTW the rods are usually used only to support in tension (like rebar in concrete). The stone is plenty strong in compression but when asked to span there are localized areas of tension within the stone. Failure in tension for masonry is sudden and potentially dangerous (its heavy). Steel is strong both in tension and compression and when it fails it does so in a rather elastic manner.

nyc_sport | 13 years and 3 months ago

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  You indicated that the cabinets are 34.5″ and you want a 36″ height.  So, a 1.25″ slab and .25 inch steel plate will give you the height you need.  Rods also create immense pressure points because the entire weight of the stone is being supported on the edge of rod circumference.

architect66 | 13 years and 3 months ago

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A steel plate detail is preferable to rods.

hdlbklyn | 13 years and 3 months ago

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Also the steel plate will be perfect to weld the support let to.

hdlbklyn | 13 years and 3 months ago

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In the past I have used 1/4″ steel plate held about 1 1/2″ back from the edge. If your cabinet is 34 1/2″ and the granite is 1 1/4″ this should work perfectly to 36″. The rods may or may not work. If done properly with epoxy setting them into continuous grooves should do the trick but that doesn’t accout for any flaws in the stone (it is after all a natural material). If not done properly, cutting the grooves will in fact weaken the slab.

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 3 months ago

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WOW…I really can’t believe that 5/16″ rods will do any strengthening.  If they run the length does the granite rest solely on the rods?  That is definitely wrong. I have a 2′ overhang on two sides of an island with no support.  If you are using 3/4″ granite it my be a problem without any support but, as I understand it, you will have a leg at the end with a plate that runs the width (almot).   Thay should be fine especially with thicker (traditional) 1 1/4″ thick slab.