Natural stone countertops are amongst the heaviest building materials installed in residential homes. Standard 3cm (1-1/4 inch) granite slabs weigh approximately 18 to 22 pounds per square foot. A typical 50 sq ft kitchen island weighs over 950 to 1,000 lbs!
Cabinet & Floor Framing Load Verification
Standard kitchen base cabinets built from 3/4" plywood or solid wood comfortably support natural stone weight. However, cantilevered overhangs exceeding 10 inches require structural steel support brackets to prevent tipping or slab cracking.