Complete Guide to Dekton Overhangs: Safe Limits & Design Tips

Dekton overhangs. An essential featured you should consider when upgrading to your kitchen or bar area with Dekton worktops. The sintered porcelain from Cosentino, renowned for its durability and modern appearance, has become a popular choice for homeowners in London, Surrey and other UK areas designing kitchen islands, breakfast bars, and more.

But how do you make the most of Dekton’s features while addressing essential design elements like the overhang?

In this guide, I will show you different ways to achieve secure and gorgeous Dekton overhangs with indispensable tips on how to maximise both style and function.

Whether you’re curious about its application in vanity tops and showers or need advice on Dekton countertop installation or other porcelain worktops overhang, ‘I’m writing this to equip you with everything you need to know about the ideal Dekton overhang in worktops.

Dekton Overhang Allowances Guide

(Simple Explanation)

1. General Dekton Overhangs Recommendations

The two most popular Dekton slab thicknesses intended as worktop applications are 12mm and 20mm, since a 6mm Dekton thickness is only intended for cladding of walls and furniture.

How InstallDekton worktops overhangs properly

Here are the limits for how much yourDekton worktop can extend beyond the supporting structure which may be made of kitchen cabinets, MDF, metal bars and other structural materials.

A. Worktops Without Cut-Outs

12mm Thickness / 12mm Overhangs

• • Full Side Overhang: ≤ 25 cm→ You can extend the entire length of the edgeup to 25 cmwithout extra support. You may likely place objects and dining items which will add weight to this section.

• Partial Overhang: Long Overhang (Vₗ) ≤ 50 cm → A longer section can extend up to 50 cm but needs support.

• Short Overhang (Vc) ≤ 20 cm → A shorter section can extend up to 20 cm without support.

20mm Thickness Dekton Overhangs

• • Full Side Overhang: ≤ 50 cm → The entire edge can extend up to 50 cm without support.

• Partial Overhang, Long Overhang (Vₗ) ≤ 100 cm → A longer section can extend up to 100 cm but needs support.

• Short Overhang (Vc) ≤ 40 cm → A shorter section can extend up to 40 cm without support.

B. Worktops With Cut-Outs (Sink, Hob, Etc.)

If your worktop has a cut-out (like a sink), it is weaker, so the overhang limits are the same as above, but extra rules apply:

• Full side overhang: For 12mm Dekton, you can use up to 25cm. For 20mm Dekton, up to 50cm

• Partial overhang: For 12mm Dekton, the maximum overhang is 50cm with the cut-out on the opposite end and 20cm on the same side. For 20mm Dekton, it’s 40cm on the same side and 100cm on the opposite side.

C. Advantages of using Porcelain Mesh-Backed Slabs

The use of mesh backing on Dekton and porcelain slabs from other brands opens new dimensions in design, allowing for larger overhangs compared to their non-mesh counterparts. This mesh reinforcement only adds a few pounds per square metre, and offers several distinct advantages:

• Increased Strength: Mesh backing provides additional reinforcement to ceramic and porcelain regardless of the brand, against impact and knock damage, enhancing the slab’s durability.
• Greater Overhang Capabilities: Slabs with mesh backing can support overhangs of up to 30cm (12 inches) for 12mm thickness and up to 60cm (24 inches) for 20mm thicknesses.
• Enhanced Stability: These slabs offer increased stability, making them ideal for installations that were previously unsuitable for thinner materials.
• Versatility: Options include 6mm porcelain slabs with mesh backing, broadening the possibilities for stylish and unique countertop applications and less risk of breakages around the cut outs.

2. Cut-Out Position Considerations for Dekton Overhangs

Dekton is a sintered stone, a large-format size engineered material that works similarly to porcelain worktop overhangs from other brands. However, I recommend checking the guidelines of the brand you intend to use, as each manufacturer uses proprietary formulas in their materials, resulting in varying guidelines.

If your worktop has a cut-out:

• The distance between the cut-out and the edge must be at least 10 cm to avoid cracks.
• The total distance on both sides of the cut-out should be at least 35 cm for strength.

3. Load Capacity

• This worktop can hold up to 100 kg occasionally, but you should never stand on it or place heavy items in a single area of Dekton. Also, avoid placing heavy objects on overhangs.
• When youinstall Dekton countertops with overhangs, the width of the worktop should beat least 60 cm for good stability.

4. Notes

• If your overhang is longer than these limits, you need extra support like brackets or legs.
• If your worktop has multiple cut-outs, ask a professional to check for extra reinforcement.

Watch Our Quick 2-Minute Video

If you’re in a hurry or prefer a visual explanation, check out our quick 2-minute video. It covers all the essential details about Dekton overhangs, providing a concise and clear guide to inform your design choices efficiently.

Here’s a helpful FAQ to guide your overhang design decisions:

1. 1. What is the maximum unsupported overhang for Dekton worktops? Dekton can have up to 12″ (300mm) unsupported overhangs for 30mm thick stone and up to 8″ (200mm) for 20mm thick stone.

1. 2. Do Dekton overhangs require additional support? For overhangs exceeding the above guidelines, additional support structures are typically required.

1. 3. What’s the recommended minimum overhang for Dekton worktops? A 5mm minimum overhang is always recommended due to industry standard tolerances of +/-2mm.

1. 4. Can Dekton be used for breakfast bars with extended overhangs? Yes, Dekton is suitable for breakfast bars with overhangs of 12 inches or more.

1. 5. How does Dekton’s overhang capability compare to other materials? Dekton’s flexural strength is five times greater than granite, allowing for thinner material over greater spans.

1. 6. What support is needed for L-shaped Dekton overhangs? L-shaped overhangs require careful consideration of support on both sides, with specific guidelines for different thicknesses.

1. 7. Are there special considerations for Dekton overhangs with cut-outs? Yes, cut-outs near overhangs require additional support and have specific distance requirements from the edge.

1. 8. Can Dekton be used for cantilevered countertops? Dekton’s strength makes it suitable for cantilevered designs, but proper support is crucial.

1. 9. How does thickness affect Dekton’s overhang capabilities? Thicker Dekton (20mm or 30mm) allows for longer unsupported overhangs compared to thinner options.

1. 10. What are the weight limitations for Dekton overhangs? The maximum concentrated static load for Dekton overhangs is typically 100 kg (220 lb). In simple terms, never stand up or place excessively heavy items on a Dekton worktop or overhang.

I hope this guide helps you understand how far your Dekton worktop can extend safely whilst remaining practical and aesthetic! 🚧💡

Author:

Alan Nussbaum

Meet Alan Nussbaum, our Sales and Marketing Manager. With almost two decades of experience, Alan’s impressive track record includes creating one of the first online stone companies in 2012 and pioneering the acceptance of cryptocurrencies in construction in 2018 before co-founding The Worktop Library with Maria.
Alan’s work is featured in numerous Stone and Home Decor magazines. In addition, he collaborates with the industry’s leading stone brands, cementing his reputation as an innovator.
Before starting a thriving career in the stone industry, Alan honed his skills by overseeing luxury fashion brands such as Burberry, Matches Fashion, and Patrick Cox. With his unique blend of experience and expertise, Alan is a true trailblazer in the stone worktop industry. His passion for delivering exceptional service is evident in every aspect of his work.