DESIGN DECISION: WHERE TO BEGIN
Overhangs add more counter space for you and make seating more comfortable because you can slide your knees underneath the overhang. Most bar top overhangs rest upon 4" stud walls. Old bar countertops are usually supported on plywood which is screwed into the stud wall. With granite, you don't really want the plywood left in place because you will be able to see the rough edge of the plywood. Granite weighs many times more than wood, Corian and even tile (up to 20 pounds per square foot), so it's important that it is supported properly.
The first option for supporting this extra weight is to use corbels of metal or wood. These work well and add a design flair to your project but they may hit your knees if you are sitting at the bar on a stool. Corbels that match your cabinets are normally available from your cabinet supplier.
A second option which GQC uses are steel "L" shape supports. These are made from ¼" thick solid steel plate, 3 inches wide and approximately 14 inches long horizontal (depending on the bar top width) with a 10" vertical bar. A shallow, ¼" deep slot is routed into the top of the supporting wall allowing the horizontal bar to be flush with the bottom of the granite. The vertical part of strap is attached to the inside wall with 3 inch screws. The granite is then adhered with 100% silicone to the wall and the horizontal part of the straps and left for a couple days to cure. This method results in an almost invisible support and protects your knees. With the vertical bar in the wall or cabinet and the horizontal bar covered by the granite this is a strong unobtrusive option.
The first option for supporting this extra weight is to use corbels of metal or wood. These work well and add a design flair to your project but they may hit your knees if you are sitting at the bar on a stool. Corbels that match your cabinets are normally available from your cabinet supplier.
A second option which GQC uses are steel "L" shape supports. These are made from ¼" thick solid steel plate, 3 inches wide and approximately 14 inches long horizontal (depending on the bar top width) with a 10" vertical bar. A shallow, ¼" deep slot is routed into the top of the supporting wall allowing the horizontal bar to be flush with the bottom of the granite. The vertical part of strap is attached to the inside wall with 3 inch screws. The granite is then adhered with 100% silicone to the wall and the horizontal part of the straps and left for a couple days to cure. This method results in an almost invisible support and protects your knees. With the vertical bar in the wall or cabinet and the horizontal bar covered by the granite this is a strong unobtrusive option.