You probbaly saw dmiller's comments on my other thread... it just so happens I have this issue too... my island is about 6x5... I have a span of about 5.5 ft x 18" supported only on the long ends by 4" end panels. The template guy told me that they would be rodding it... the installers said that they did not rod it.

Again, I hate being told one thing... being comfortable with that... then having something else happen. They told me that I should not stand on that section... ?????? I am not likely to stand on it... but what if someone hops up on it and sits there one day... and the whole things gives way! WHy teh hell woudl they NOT rod it and do the job right?

What is the limit of what granite will span without needing rodding? I know it depends on the stone, etc... but is there a rule of thuumb? There was also no rodding on the front and back sink thin parts... I thought I remembered reading on here that good fabricators will rod that too... I am not so worried about that since it has cabinet below it... my big island span is my concern.

jscozz,

What was the title of your thread (so I can go review it?). I do have a bit of a problem following threads I'm interested in, cuz things move so fast on this forum. I also haven't been able to keep anything in 'my clippings'. I think I had them there for awhile, but they're all gone now- not sure if I'm missing something...?

The one good thing about the company I am dealing with (I am the GC on our reno), is that they seem to be bending over backwards to make sure everything goes OK. Allright- it HAS been six months since I ordered cabinets and granite, and I STILL don't have all cabinets yet... but the manager has taken over our account personally and has probably spent close to 6-7 hours here (now I know that sounds excessive- but 2-3 hours of that was a second trip cuz we changed our minds about the overhang to go back to 9"- and when he came out to remeasure- he assured us he could do the 12" with rodding and it would be supported well enough- so we went back to the 12" again), just measuring and trying to figure out how he is going to fabricate/cut the granite. He prefers to overkill to make sure everything lasts a lifetime- and I really appreciate his enthusiasm and his attitude- just not totally confident in his lack of experience.

The countertop where my sink is is very long and needed two almost full slabs. The sink is right in the middle where the two slabs meet. The sink is supported from below by wood framed into the cabinet and then epoxied to the bottom of the granite. According to the installers the epoxy is stronger than the stone (they said when they do demolitions to replace granite it breaks around the seam, not on it) so that the sink and the epoxy and granite together are very strong.

Thanks mondragon,

My guy will be epoxing plywood to the 2cm granite , and epoxing angle iron to that and then the angle iron to the plywood framed into cabinet- he figures it will be rock solid. Like yours- this is a long counter run (U-shaped)- mine will have two seams- one at the sink and another off the penisula- he is cutting that one so that the seam lines up with two cupboard doors- which I would never have thought of. He seems to be as genuinely concerned with looks and stability as I am- the niggly worrying part of me just would love reassurance from those who have some experience- Can't believe how inexperienced at all this I am (especially at my age! :>)

My other thread is titled "Sink setback?"

Thanks jscozz,

Was really hoping one or more of the granite installers/experts would also chime in. Doing the GC myself is saving me money- but I may end up with my first grey hairs before we finish!

Good afternoon,

Placing the seam in the center of the sink. You will find as many fabricators say naver as you will find that will do it. I have seen both installations and will say the seam in the center looks best, when done properly it is almost invisible and the structural integrity is the same.

As for rodding a 12 inch overhang evrey 12 inches or so, I believe that will weaken the stone, not add strength. You either need corbels evrey 36 to 48 inches along the span or a piece of 3/8 inch steel plate underneath 3 inches short of the edge of the granite.

The MIA specification for unsupported overhang is 4to 6 inches or less for 2 cm and 10 to 12 inches or less for 3cm.

vrjames,

Thanks so much for your comments.

So, going from 9 to 12 inches isn't a factor - we would have needed the same additional support anyways? Perhaps extending the overhang has been a blessing in disguise and making sure the 12" overhang is properly supported will have prevented a potential problem we would have had with the originally planned 9"?

When you say MIA specifications- what are you referring to? And, is there a way I can see what they are?

Is having 3/4" plywood underneath the peninsula not enough support? Or, do people not continue the plywood under the overhang? I've never had granite before, so I know nothing! :>(

When you say steel plate- could you please clarify exactly what you mean- do I put steel plate under 9" of the 12" overhang instead of plywood?

Time is of the essence, as fabrication may begin tomorrow- Tuesday...

TIA, Rae