Floating Counter Tops and Hidden Support

I came across this headline on the net about counter tops: NEW TRENDS IN KITCHEN COUNTER TOPS | OVERHANG, THICKNESS, COLORS, WATERFALL & MORE from Dura Supreme in Howard Lake, Minnesota. Mostly it was the term overhang and waterfall that confused me.

Overhang refers to a the length of a counter top that seems to float unsupported. In most cases, support is needed to support the counter top weight unless the overhang is 6 inches or less. According to the Marble Institute of America, you can safely overhang granite that is 1 ¼ inches thick up to 10 inches without support. Counter tops are heavy and can crack without proper support.

Waterfall is a counter top that seems to extend from the top all the way to the floor.

The new look in counter tops hangs on the hidden support of steel brackets that attach to wall framing. One local manufacture is In-Wall Brackets. In-Wall Brackets counter top supports are made from US-manufactured high-grade steel.

David Brown of In Wall Brackets says, “Our counter top Supports are thoughtfully-designed so they provide a sturdy base for counter tops, shelves, islands and bars without sacrificing the design aesthetic. Every home design is unique, but orders can be customized to individual design specifications.” – inwallbrackets.com

Hidden supports give an easy floating or cantilevered look to counter tops, shelves, benches, and hearths. They eliminate braces and supports that would otherwise create problems for knees and legs. Powerfully built brackets give freedom to home owners and designers and allow imaginations to run wild.