pls weigh in! -- island countertop underlayment for soapstone?? -

billy2004

10 years ago

Hi. Read a bunch about this but can't find a definitive answer so looking for some input...
We have a new kitchen island being installed. The multi-cabinet base is a "T" shape that is 48" long and 67" at widest. The countertop will be a single slab of 3 cm soapstone. At the center of the widest part will be a cutout for 36" cooktop. On the opposite narrow side (tapers to 36" wide) we're planning an additional 13-14" of overhang bringing the island to ~ 69" x 63".
So, the issue is, do we need overhang support, underlayment etc? Our installer is saying plywood will be fine, but we're also seeing metal instead and concealed brackets being used. another installer said we wouldnt need anything under the stone because a significant part of it is resting on the cabinets... I should add the island is secured to the floor with 2x4s -- it is not going anywhere.
So, thoughts about best option here?
thanks!

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Comments (12)

User
10 years ago
Concealed metal supports would be your best choice here unless you are willing to create a table like structure with stretcher bars and legs. Any overhang larger than 9" need support of some type. It's not about the cantilever keeping the stone from tipping. It's about the 250 lb football player plopping on top of it and it breaking off.
billy2004
Original Author
10 years ago
this is a picture of what we're trying to do once the countertop is on top of the base cabinets...there is a significant overhang to the right and left of the 36" cabinet that will project out 12-13". Has anyone done a metal underlayment for an entire island and then placed the countertop over that? does plywood even offer any support in case someone tries to sit on the overhang...

Thanks.
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sorry for the late post.. but just an overall word of caution. there are over 20 diferent soapstone quarries producing stone right now and we treat all of them differently when it comes to how much unsupported overhang is aloud. Soapstone on average is 20 lbs a sq ft for 3 cm and certain varieties such as Black Venata, Santa Rita we personally never go over 9 inches without support and strongly recommend supporting the stone no matter what with "hidden" steel brackets or other weight baring material. The harder soapstoneÂs such as the Brazilian Black we can and have put it in unsupported to the 12 inches but we tell the customers up-front we cannot 100% guarantee the stone in those areas. The reason is that there are too many heavy weight variables that can cause the stone to break or crack. You never should worry about normal countertop use effecting it.. it would be the time that 300+ lb Uncle Jerry decides to sit on the overhang after the Thanksgiving meal. I look at it this way; you've invested a lot of money into your countertop and If the stone cracks or breaks in an unsupported area I do not know of to many companies who will come out and replace the top for free if the customer has signed a waiver/been forewarned. Steel "L" Brackets cost around $75 per bracket for the high end ones.. We also use other types of steel that are flat and can be attached to the frame of the cabinet in case there isn't a knee wall. Based on the weight the steel can hold is how we space them apart. Joshua can go into way more detail about this then me.. heÂs the expert :) Feel free to send him an e-mail through his garden web link if you have any further questions Below is a link to an L bracket that a customer told us about Here is a link that might be useful: bracket link
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billy2004
Original Author
10 years ago
so by concealed metal supports do you mean a sheet of steel installed under the stone going the entire perimeter less 1" around thx?
gpraceman55
10 years ago
Here are some examples of "hidden" brackets that you can use to support the overhang. You do need to modify the cabinets for these, as the top of the brackets need to be in line with the tops of the cabinets.

Here is a link that might be useful: CounterBalance Brackets

This post was edited by gpraceman on Mon, Aug 19, 13 at 13:17
billy2004
Original Author
10 years ago
doesn't a steel sheet 1/4" underlayment have the same/better support effect instead of just brackets?
gpraceman55
10 years ago
Maybe, but it will be far more expensive I bet. Those brackets may look flat, but they actually have a T cross section, so they are stronger than 1/4" flat bar.
User
10 years ago
Plywood flexes. Thin steel flexes. Stone does NOT flex. Stone breaks instead of flexing. And you want your support to not flex either or your stone can break! Something like the Counter Balance system is what you need here. It's vertical add on to the horizontal piece keeps it from flexing and creates a huge amount of strength. The only thing is that your cabinets have to also be equally robust in order to properly transfer that weight to the floor.
gwlolo
10 years ago
I was told by M.Tex who did my soapstone that soapstone needs no underlayment. If you have a large overhang, then maybe some steel bars in grooves. My cabinet maker provided cabinets with flush inset tops so that the soapstone could just go directly on it.
billy2004
Original Author
10 years ago
what is considered thin steel? and also where do you get those x shape brackets...haven't seen them before...
gpraceman55
10 years ago
I provided a link to them in my first post;-)
billy2004
Original Author
10 years ago
what is considered thin steel? and also where do you get those x shape brackets...haven't seen them before...
gpraceman55
10 years ago
Well, here's the link again.

Here is a link that might be useful: CounterBalance Brackets

pls weigh in! -- island countertop underlayment for soapstone?? -

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