Anybody else have a kitchen island with seating?

[DisneyPhD]

I have a question.

We are almost done with our remodel. It has been a long hard summer.

We are putting in a kitchen island. 5 feet across, 24 deep. One side will be storage, one seating. The counter top is Siltstone (kind of a man made granite.)

When we designed it the person helping us said we could have a 12 inch over hang. I am getting nervous about that. We don't have any supports planned, but I guess we could add some.

The guy comes to measure it tomorrow and I am concerned he is going to tell us we can't do it. We have a 6 inch over hang on the side. We want to be able to sit the whole family around it (4 people and sometimes extras.) It is all one level and will be about 6 feet wide and 3 feet across.

Anyone else with an island with seating? How big is your over hang? I have been searching the internet for pictures and how to do supports if we need it. Our counter top was originally Corein, we changed it to siltstone after making the plans. I wonder if that makes a difference?

 

[Jeannie]

My island has a granite top with an 11.5" overhang on one side. (It is just over 2 feet wide total.) We did not need any additional supports.

 

[ducklite]

I have a question.

We are almost done with our remodel. It has been a long hard summer.

We are putting in a kitchen island. 5 feet across, 24 deep. One side will be storage, one seating. The counter top is Siltstone (kind of a man made granite.)

When we designed it the person helping us said we could have a 12 inch over hang. I am getting nervous about that. We don't have any supports planned, but I guess we could add some.

The guy comes to measure it tomorrow and I am concerned he is going to tell us we can't do it. We have a 6 inch over hang on the side. We want to be able to sit the whole family around it (4 people and sometimes extras.) It is all one level and will be about 6 feet wide and 3 feet across.

Anyone else with an island with seating? How big is your over hang? I have been searching the internet for pictures and how to do supports if we need it. Our counter top was originally Corein, we changed it to siltstone after making the plans. I wonder if that makes a difference?

I don't have an island, but I've got a breakfast bar at my counter that's higher than the counter top and hangs over about a foot. It's Corian. There are wooden corbels every two feet or so to support it. They come in many different styles and actually add an attractive architectural element, so you might want to consider them. Good luck!

Anne

 

[Muffin]

Our island's overhang is 12" on 3 sides. It's not a granite countertop, just laminate, but it's still pretty heavy and we didn't put any supports. I do get nervous when people lean on it though.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I have had one for years and do not have Stilestone but rather Formica. I cannot see how you would not need a support. When people lean on it it puts stress on the counter. If you do you can get some angle braces at HD or Lowes that can be stained to match the cabinet below (unless it is the side you open). I am sure you are not the first person who has had this problem so when the contractor comes just ask him about it.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I don't have an island, but I've got a breakfast bar at my counter that's higher than the counter top and hangs over about a foot. It's Corian. There are wooden corbels every two feet or so to support it. They come in many different styles and actually add an attractive architectural element, so you might want to consider them. Good luck!

Anne

We have considered that and will do it if we have to. I am worried about people bumping their legs on it though.

Thanks guys, I am starting to feel better.

 

[jrmasm]

I have decorative wooden supports (not sure how big the overhang is) for my granite. I hate them because I am always whacking my knees.

 

[ducklite]

We have considered that and will do it if we have to. I am worried about people bumping their legs on it though.

Thanks guys, I am starting to feel better.

The ones I've got are pretty compact, I've only whacked myself once or twice because I was kneeling too far forward and spinning--just being dumb. Little bruise nothing serious, and far better than having a cracked granite counter fall on your foot!

Anne

 

[MareQ]

We have a 12" overhang on 3 sides with granite - no supports You'll be fine - there's no way that slab will move, in fact my little guy likes to hang from the end and swing @@ lol

I love my island - we can fit all 5 around it but it gets crowded with the chairs - they're coming out and I am getting regular stools instead and going down to just 3 for the kids.

Don't mind the one wall - we're in the middle of some minor construction right now.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I have decorative wooden supports (not sure how big the overhang is) for my granite. I hate them because I am always whacking my knees.

That is my fear.

MareQ, thank you so much for the picture! That looks like it is the same size as ours and a lot like ours will be. I had to call DH in from working to look at it! We are doing 6 inches on the sides, but the kids with little legs can cram in if needed. I do worry about the kids climbing on it or leaning hard on it. I really like your chairs. Where did you get them? I agree it looks tight with them though. I have two stools from my old breakfast bar. I plan to get 2 new ones (maybe chair like) and then Ikea has these folding ones for $25 each I plan to get, but not keep out and pull out for extra seating as needed. Believe me I know about "getting a little work done."

 

[jrmasm]

we built the house 4 years ago so the details are foggy. All I remember is that the supports were not supposed to be put there and I was po'd when I saw them. I cannot remember if I had an alternative or if the overhang was supposed to be unsupported.

check out http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath/

 

[DisneyPhD]

we built the house 4 years ago so the details are foggy. All I remember is that the supports were not supposed to be put there and I was po'd when I saw them. I cannot remember if I had an alternative or if the overhang was supposed to be unsupported.

check out http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath/

I spent an hour last night there looking at picture (on the finished kicthen section.) Do the supports get in the way much?

 

[MareQ]

I found the stools unfinished online somewhere(sorry can't remember - lol) and DH stained them. They're all beat up from the kids abusing them

 

[daisyduck123]

We have an 11 inch overhang.

Supports? What supports? We don't have any.

 

[claudia]

our kitchen island is exactly the same size as the one you want to do....the top (silestone as well) measures 36" x 72", cabinets are 24"x 60". We do not have any supports for the silestone....looking at mine right now I can't see how you would have any room for them. We have never had any issues or problems with it....love it!

 

[jrmasm]

maybe check silestone's website. Is it as heavy as granite? Surely the manufacturer would have a recommendation.

 

[MareQ]

We are putting in a kitchen island. 5 feet across, 24 deep. One side will be storage, one seating. The counter top is Siltstone (kind of a man made granite.) ?

Ok I just measured mine - not exact just "close enough" lol - it's 66 inches across and 38 inches deep. The cabinet underneath is 42 x 24.

 

[DisneyPhD]

our kitchen island is exactly the same size as the one you want to do....the top (silestone as well) measures 36" x 72", cabinets are 24"x 60". We do not have any supports for the silestone....looking at mine right now I can't see how you would have any room for them. We have never had any issues or problems with it....love it!

I read this to DH and he said "Well I think you have your answer!" I feel better. I was concerned the guy would come out and say we couldn't do it. I want the counter tops in 2 weeks, not 3 weeks!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Well the guy came and measured today. He says that they have to recommend we get supports for anything over 10 inches. It used to be more, but people are stupid. He said it should hold fine, as long as adults aren't sitting on it. He just has to "say" he told us to.

Everything went well, but it is going to be 3 weeks at least until we can get the counter tops on. The rest of the kitchen is looking great! Thanks for the help guys!

 

[DisneyPhD]

We still have a bit of work to do, molding and things like that. The sinks isn't hooked up yet, (glue has to dry still.)

Even though, it is done so here are pictures. I am very excited!

I think we are going to get some sort of supports for the island over hang.