For standard cabinets, a quartz countertop can span for up to 24 to 36 inches if it is at least 3 cm thick. However, it also depends on the kind of support your quartz countertop comes with. The support materials include panels, legs, brackets, and overhang support.
Purchasing a quartz countertop is a worthwhile investment as compared to granite and marble countertops. As more people are opting for quartz countertops, they wonder how far these can span.
Selecting how far your countertop should hang is a major consideration when installing a new quartz countertop. Many factors affect your decision of how far to allow your quartz countertop to span. These include its thickness, the manufacturing brand, the available space, and the 70% rule.
Considering the functionality of your countertop, here is how to decide how far you can extend your countertop.
- The brand: Quartz countertops are a good choice due to the strength of the material. However, this can differ between brands. So, choose a reputable brand if you wish to extend your countertop to its maximum.
- Available space: Getting countertop overhangs is a great idea if you need some additional space for shelving or meal prepping. However, quartz countertops can also take up quite a lot of space in your home.
- The thickness of the slab: It largely depends on the thickness of your quartz countertop and whether or not it has sub-tops. You will need to provide extra support for thicker countertops that span over a large space.
Want to learn more about the range of quartz countertops available? Continue reading this piece to learn about supported and unsupported quartz countertop spans.
How Far Can Quartz Countertop Span without Support?
The size of a quartz slab varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Generally, 50 to 55 square feet is the average measurement of most quartz countertops. In terms of linear measurements, a slab is 60 inches wide with a length of 120 to 126 inches. But, can you span your quartz countertop without a span? If so, then how much farther is it possible to do so?
You can most definitely extend your quartz countertops to a certain degree. Typically, it is possible to let your quartz countertop span up to a maximum of 36 inches with support. However, the same measurements do not apply to unsupported countertops.
If you are looking to have a longer span for your new quartz countertop, you must use support materials to ensure safety and longevity. Nonetheless, a quartz countertop span of 24 inches works well without support.
Quartz countertops are also great for overhangs due to their strength and durability of quartz. Without any extra support, a quartz overhang can span up to 14 inches. But, overhangs should never exceed 15 inches for the thickness of 3 centimeters.
What can I Use to Support Quartz Countertop if Needed?
There are many benefits to installing extended countertops, including more storage space. Not to mention, spanning a countertop also prevents your drawers and cabinets from spills and damage caused by them, etc.
But as we already mentioned, a quartz countertop can only span for up to 24 inches without support. If your kitchen space allows and you need a more extended countertop, you will need to use support. With support on both ends of the span, you can easily increase the span limit to 36 inches. But, you will also need to make sure that you’re choosing the right thickness for your quartz. The standard choice is 3 cm, 1 to ¼ inches.
If you’re opting for a larger span and overhanging quartz countertop, then consider using one of the following functional support options:
Corbels
Corbel supports have several purposes as they are used for countertop overhangs as well as for decorative shelving. While decorative corbels serve aesthetic purposes, basic corbels ensure full support to back the weight of a quartz countertop span.
Corbels jut from the wall and are wedged between the horizontal countertop surface and the vertical surface of cabinets. This functional support material offers support by working to extend the cantilevered surface area of the quartz countertop. Corbels work well for overhangs that measure between 15 to 24 inches.
However, make sure you install corbels within a 3-feet distance.
Brackets
Brackets are similar to corbels as install they in the same manner. You can use bracket support by installing them between the vertical surface of the cabinets and the horizontal surface of your quartz countertop.
Not only this, but the two support materials are also quite similar in function as brackets also provide support by extending the cantilevered surface area of countertops. One major difference between corbels and brackets is that the latter is also attached to another place.
One portion of the brackets goes on the underside of your quartz countertop for additional support. Furthermore, brackets are a great option also because these are less costly than corbels. However, brackets work better on shorter overhangs and need more precision during size calculations.
Legs
Legs are an incredible option when it comes to supporting an extended quartz countertop. While quartz is a strong and durable material on its own, countertops with large surface areas require good support. Legs can perfectly do so if you’re looking to span your quartz countertop to its maximum.
Legs provide support by adding an extra cantilever at extreme ends of overhangs and spans of countertops. Generally, they work best for large overhang extensions. However, they also come with a disadvantage that most people do not prefer. For most of it, they hinder legroom beneath the countertop by taking up and blocking space.
Posts or Substrates
Typically, only an extension up to 14 inches is acceptable for quartz countertop overhangs. Exceeding this measurement limit can pose safety risks. But in case yours is larger than 24 inches, only posts or substrates can help you with overhang support.
They are the only option yet a great way to support quartz countertops that extend farther than 24 inches. To ensure maximum support, you will also need to balance your countertop overhang on multiple posts. These posts should ideally have a distance of 3 feet between one another.
Like legs, using posts and substrates restrict legroom under quartz countertops.
Separate Islands
Using posts and substrates provide great support at the cost of little to no legroom. If your quartz countertop overhang is too large and you don’t like the idea of giving up legroom, you might as well go for separate islands.
Separate islands can fulfill the purpose of extra space and aesthetics at the same time. You can opt for an extended overhang that goes up to 4 feet in length. Add more counters and use a quartz surface kitchen island.
Can Granite Countertops Expand Farther than Quartz?
Quartz countertops are better than most countertop material options, including granite. Quartz is much more resistant to mold, and it is also incredibly stronger and more durable than granite. But is it better when it comes to extended overhangs?
For granite, you can safely create an overhang up to 10 inches without support. On the other hand, quartz countertops can span up to 24 inches without needing any additional support. This suggests that quartz might be the better option if you’re looking for larger overhangs.
However, you can still use functional support materials to increase the span limit for granite countertops.
Bottom Line
Quartz countertops have several benefits over other types of countertops. For the most part, quartzite is stronger and much more durable than other countertop materials like marble and granite. Not to mention, they can also span quite farther.
Typically, a quartz countertop overhang can extend up to 24 inches without and 36 inches with support. However, this also depends on several other factors, such as the manufacturing brand, thickness, availability of space in your kitchen area and home, etc.
Sources
https://www.wehausa.com/maximum-quartz-overhang-s/2552.htm
https://graniteselection.com/blog/how-far-can-quartz-countertops-overhang/
