How to install extra-deep countertops?

12 years ago

Hi All,

I'm doing most of the work myself on a total remodel of our kitchen.

What we'd like to do is go with 30" extra-deep countertops and I'm looking for some guidance as to how best to accomplish that.

The budget is tight so we're going to re-use the existing semi-custom cabinets, which are built for the standard 25" counter.

We're going with a maple butcher block counter that I will fabricate, so the 30" counter depth itself isn't' an issue, just how to put it all together.

Do we just install the cabinets in the standard fashion and have the extra 5-6" overhang off the front? Do we shim out the cabinets an extra 5-6" so the front overhang is the standard 1" or so? How would the cabinets be shimmed out that far?

Any guidance or suggestions please. Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

PPF.

12 years ago

I did 30" tops in a house I owned. I built the cabinets to standard depth and held them away from the wall 6". A cleat on the wall to support the back of the counter.

In your case I would consider some additional structure behind the cabinets -- something to screw the cabinets to.

Also, you may need an extra deep side panel if you have any exposed ends.

I built the uppers 16" deep. Having that extra 6" to reach over may be too much for a smaller person.

I would not have the top extend over the front an extra 6".

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Comments (8)

aa112358
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
"In your case I would consider some additional structure behind the cabinets -- something to screw the cabinets to."

Right, I guess that's the crux of my question. What would that extra structure look like? I've looked around Houzz and other places ot the net, but I haven't found any details about it.

My initial hunch would be to glue/screw 2x4s one on top of another onto each wall stud and build it out to the extra 6" depth.
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PRO
Giz Design Studio LLC
12 years ago
What is the objective of making them deeper?
aa112358
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Giz Design Studio LLC
"What is the objective of making them deeper?"
==
24" has been standard for what, 50+ years? IMHO it's obsolete.

These days we have many more kitchen appliances and gadgets that take up a lot of counter space. There will be an appliance garage along about 3 feet of the counter for can opener, toaster over, juicer, food processor, crock pot etc.

And there is often other things occupying a lot of space on the counter: fruit bowl, napkin holder, sometimes a laptop computer, etc.

Our kitchen looks and functions nothing like the polished and pristine models we see on Houzz.

And people are taller these days. :-)
PRO
PPF.
12 years ago
Screw a 2x4 to the wall, add a 6" piece of plywood or osb to the top, then another 2x4 to screw the cabinets to. You are building a U shape piece.

The counter will sit on the 2x4 attached to the wall.
aa112358 thanked PPF.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
12 years ago
It would not be practical to have such a large overhang so the cabinets need to be spaced out from the wall to make this happen. Just so you know Ikea has a really great wood counter that i have had for 15 yrs. it is called Numerar and comes 39" deep. So much easier to use than trying to make one. By the way i agree with the idea of deeper counters.
aa112358 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
aa112358
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks Patricia,

II was able to score more than enough maple strips to do our counter and an island for a price I couldn't resist: about $1.00 a square foot.

I love Habitat ReStores! :-)

And it'll be a fun project to put it together.

Otherwise I do like the IKEA butcher block.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
12 years ago
Good for you it's a huge job , hope you have tons of clamps.