A Quartz countertop does need support brackets if drastic overhang exists. If the countertop is not too far from the edge then you don’t need to install support brackets for your quartz countertops.
What is overhang and why does it exist?
A quartz countertop overhang is when a lip is introduced to the countertop. So how does a countertop overhang occur? The reason behind an overhang is primarily due to the countertop slab extending beyond the available length of the cabinets.
There’s a clever reason for the existence of countertop overhangs. The idea is to prevent any liquids, crumbs, food, sauce, or any potential contaminant from hitting the cabinet draws, cupboards, or structure in the event of a spill.
Things to consider before going the countertop overhang route:
- Brand – Quartz is a strong material regardless of brand. However, the strength of the quartz can still vary from brand to brand. Make sure it’s real quartz.
- Space – Don’t include a counter overhang if space is not something you have in abundance.
- Thickness – If you’re planning a countertop overhang, consider reducing the thickness of your quartz to make the overhang capable of being longer without needing additional support.
- 70% Rule – Your countertop overhang cannot exceed 30%. As a result, 70% of the countertop needs to be supported by either support brackets or corbels and the countertop base itself.
How much overhang until I need a support bracket?
It’s important to consider the type of stone that you’re using for your counters before making a firm decision of what support type you’ll need. Considering quartz is the most robust material available, it does require less support than other countertop materials like marble, granite, and various other worktop options.
The most common reason to need support for your quartz countertops overhang is when the cutouts and overhangs are close together. Cutouts can be for sinks, cooktops, and more kitchen appliances.
Thickness also requires attention as this will be a major determining factor in the debate over needing a support bracket, corbels, or legs. The heavier the countertop, the more the need for countertop support brackets on the overhang to ensure the cabinets don’t suffer under the unsupported weight.
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Requirements for Overhang Extensions
These are some requirements that could help make it clear if you need to install support brackets or not;
- The overhang, with support from a bracket or any other means, is no greater than ⅓ of the depth of the kitchen countertop and doesn’t exceed 15 inches in total.
- Corbels are required for overhangs greater than 15 inches. In addition, these corbels must be able to support not more than 24 inches of the intended overhang. Finally, they need to be installed with a distance of 36 inches between them.
- If the overhang measures greater than 24 inches, it then requires the use of posts and substrate. These will need to be installed with a distance of 36 inches separating them.
- The size of the support your quartz counter requires, be it brackets or legs, will be determined by the size of the overhang.
The guidelines below are applicable to standard cabinet depths of 24 inches.
| Material Support Required | 2 CM (.75 inches) | 2 CM (.75 inches) With 0.625 inches Sub-top | 3 CM (1.25 inches) |
| No additional support is required. | Under 8 inches | Under 12 inches | Under 16 inches |
| Brackets required at 24 inches (600mm) | 8 – 16 inches | 12 – 20 inches | 16 – 24 inches |
| Legs, Columns, or Panels are required at 24 inch (600mm) intervals. | 16 inches+ | 24 inches+ | 24 inches+ |
How to install support brackets to a countertop
There are two methods for installing support brackets to your countertop. Both are extremely straightforward and can be DIY projects for the handyman or woman of the household.
What you’ll need:
- Saw
- Wood Chisel
- Screws
- Screwdriver
- Level
Step 1: The first order of business is to space out, measure, and mark where the mounting locations will be on your knee wall. The recommended start is 6 inch inward from the edges with a spacing of 18 inches to 24 inches apart for the bracket.
Step 2: Find, identify and mark your T-square two-dimensional lines 2 and 9/16th’ apart from the location where you’re going to mount the brackets.
Step 3: Then, with your hand saw, you’re going to cut, in-depth, each line 0.5 inches.
Step 4: With a wood chisel, you’re going to remove excess material between the lines to create a crisp, clean, level mountain channel. Make sure to get all the dust and chips.
Step 5: Once you’ve appropriately cleared the way, it’s time to mount the support brackets. Place the brackets in the mounting channels and affix them to the knee wall using the correct screws.
Step 6: Level the brackets and tighten everything up, and you’re good to go.
The alternative method requires more complex equipment and tools;
- Router
- Router bit
- Level
Step 1: Like the first method, you need first to measure, space out, and mark where the mounting locations will be on your knee wall.
Step 2: Using a T-Square, mark out the diagonal lines at the locations where you’re considering mounting the support brackets.
Step 3: Work from left to right when aligning the strip wood router guides inner edge with the horizontal line.
Step 4: Tend to the mounting surface but trimming away excess wood using a Top Bearing Flush Trim router bit as well as a .5’ cutting depth. Work until the channel where the bracket will be seated is clean and level.
Step 5: Now that the area’s cleared, place the brackets into the channel and affix it to the knee wall using the correct screws.
Step 6: Level the bracket, tighten it up, and that’s that.
