Granite Countertops—The Heavy Weight Champion!
One of the questions we hear frequently in our showroom is “How much does granite weigh?” That’s not surprising because granite is some heavy stuff and definitely requires some special lifting techniques, equipment, and dollies, etc. to maneuver around. In the Midwest, the common thickness for most granite countertops is 3 cm. On average, a 3 cm thick piece of granite weighs approximately 18 pounds per square foot. If you consider an average slab of granite is approximately 9′ x 5′, (54 square feet), that comes to 972 pounds. Obviously some slabs weigh more than others, depending on their exact size.
Some granite colors are also available in a 2cm thickness. 2 cm slabs are sometimes used for full height backsplash, fireplace surrounds, some vanities, etc. On average, a 2 cm thick piece of granite weighs approximately 12 pounds per square foot. Again—if you consider an average slab of granite is approximately 9′ x 5′, (54 square feet), that comes to 648 pounds, which is less than the 3 cm thickness, but is heavy nonetheless!
While granite “weighs in” as a heavy material for countertops, there are typically no worries, when it comes to cabinet support, as the weight is distributed evenly and most cabinets are structurally sound.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Granite on August 24th, 2012 by Barb | | 0 Comments
