On 14 Feb 2004 04:02:08 -0800, (Arman) wrote:

HI,

We are getting a 1 1/4" granite countertop installed, and I have a
feeling we are going to have to reinforce our base cabinets. The
construction is thus: 1/2" particle board sides and back and 3/4"
solid Oak face- probably the cheapest possible builder supplied
cabinets?

I'd worry about that.

standard operating procedure for one local kitchen remodel shop here
is to support the stone on a tubular steel frame, bypassing the
cabinets completely.

first thing I'd do is get the opinion of somebody local. we can't see
what you have or shake it up a bit to see if any parts are ready to
fall off or what.





The oak face looks like it has only been tacked to the rest
of the cabinets with brads. I dont think they have been attached to
each other real tight, I couldnt see the screws, unless they are
hidden or something. Will such cabinets support the granite? What do I
need to fo to reinforce them? I have a 8' straight run, a 2'-4"x
3'-10" "L" and a 6' long island.

My next question is, we plan to raise the bar area a few inches off
the island surface and were planing to support the granite with a 2x4
wall. Do I need to pin this wall to the cabinets supporting the
island?

pinning the wall and the cabinets should help them both. a good
connection there will also help the joint in the stone to remain
tight.




Also, when I attach the wall to the floor boards, do I use
nails or screws, and how many at each point?

don't put so many fasteners that you split the wood. frame walls by
themselves are great for compressive loads (straight down), but not as
good for racking (shifting in the plane of the wall) or uplift.
racking strength gets better with sheathing (see below) and uplift can
be dealt with through the use of hardware.




This wall is also L
shaped, will it be self supporting?

being L shaped definitely helps. being U shaped would help more. what
will support the free corner? sheathing it with plywood also helps.
3/8 CDX on one side should be fine. if you're still worried, glue the
ply to the framing.



What Can I do to prevent it from
toppling over,

if you're worried about the wall overturning fasten it to the floor
either with allthread or straps. you didn't say what your floor was
made of, but the strap will need a solid connection (not nails) to the
floor. if it's joists and sheathing, get a lag screw into the joist,
through the strap, which wraps up over the top of the wall. if it's
concrete, get an anchor drilled well into the slab with the allthread
connected to that , running to the top of the wall with a nut over an
oversize washer.

if the support is well designed, overturn shouldn't be a problem.




like someone had asked earlier? THe granite over hang
will be supported by brackets.

make sure that there is support fairly well distributed beneath the
stone. fastening the stone to that support is the installer's job.




'

We are already way over budget with the granite and would like to
reinforce the cabinets and build the support wall ourselves. I had
taken a carpentry class with the carpenters union in Pittsburgh, so I
am fairly confident I can do this.


look inside your cabinets for places where you can slip in some
support that will reach from the bottom of the granite to the
subfloor. try to take the weight off of the cabinet wherever possible.
particle board isn't known for great longevity in damp locations like
kitchen cabinets....

2x4s can support a hell of a lot of load in the lengths you're dealing
with






Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks and have a great weekend.

-Arati.