A question we get asked a lot is “How much overhang should we have”? Believe it or not, this is one of the most individualistic aspects of a countertop project and there is often no right answer.
The old standard used to be 1 ½” from the inside of a raised panel cabinet and 1” on a flat front or flat end of a cabinet run. For seating at an island the standard overhang was 12”, mostly because the rule of thumb for overhang without supports was a 2:1 ratio. Most people want to maximize the overhang so on a 24” standard kitchen cabinet, the overhang was 12”.
Today all the old rules are out the window. We now see 1/8” overhang for an extremely contemporary look to 2” from a panel face to create more counter space. And we have seen everything in between. This is a testament to the flexible nature of designing and construction. If you have a designer or builder, they may an opinion on what they think looks or functions best.
On an island overhang the 2:1 ratio still applies but with the addition of legs, panels, and/or sub tops the overhang can be almost anything you can think of in your mind, assuming the space allows for it. For example, when the area around the island is tight we see as little as 9” or 10” depending on the walkway space. Most contractors/architects/designers like the walkway openings to be at least 36”.
If you don’t know where to start with your overhangs, use the standard (1 ½” or 1” depending on your cabinet face style). It is a good thing to think about before the field measure, as this information is very important for the process and for producing accurate drawings. This is another reason why having everything in place for the measure is critical.
If you have any further questions about overhangs, do not hesitate to ask Blue Pearl!
