Outdoor Bar Ledge???

[Golden40]

I was wondering if anyone out there in Garage Journal land could help me w/ a design issue.... I need a suggestion for an outdoor bar ledge. It will be placed under a window sill, on an outside porch w/ a roof over it. The window will be 72" wide, so I guess the bar ledge needs to be at least that long. I need help with the dimensions, and the type of material needed to construct it. If anyone has a similar setup please post pics!!!!! Thanks in advance

 

[Kevin54]

Granite or tile top. If tile, use cement board underneath. the frame could be a steel tubular (square) frame, powdercoated, with angled legs back to the wall, or vertical legs down to the ground. You will want the top to be at least 24" deep and maybe up to 30" depending on the use you are going for.

It is entirely up to you though as there is no cut in stone rules for building something like that.

Can you post a pic as to where it is going to go and maybe we can toss out some good ideas? Pics always help. One thing is....When you pull into the Garage (Journal) we can "get'er done"

 

[Wingnut65]

+2 for Granite. I agree with Kevin and I'd suggest making 4-6" wider than each side of the window.

 

[Granite Guy]

Depending on the availability in your market, I suggest using 2cm (.75" thick) granite with laminated edges (1.5" thick finished product). Build the frame as Kevin54 suggested, using cement board as your sub strength. A 72" run of granite is HEAVY either way, but using 2cm material will be easier to support, being that it's around 150 lbs lighter. The cost between 3cm and 2cm with laminated edge work will be about the same, but then again, that may depend on your market and the fabricator/installer that you choose.

Build the countertop to be an inch or two wider than window casing (if any).....it will give it a nice transition from countertop to trim work above it. Most pass-through windows, bar tops, plant window sills, etc, are not normal countertop depth. In my opinion that would be more of a table attached to the wall, rather than a bar ledge. If it were me, I'd do something in the 12" to 16" range. Less depth on the granite will allow you to use corbels for support, rather than table legs that extend to the floor.

I'll dig through my pictures and see if I can post some examples of ones that I have done.

 

[Golden40]

I like all of the suggestions, however I don't think granite/tile is needed for this application. This garage is smack dab in the middle of the corn belt (So. IL). So not a need for anything too fancy. I guess I should've been more specific lol. I need to know what type of wood product to use. One that is going to weather good. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it.. The deminsions expressed were very helpful, thanks again guys!!!!

 

[CUSTOMMANCAVES.COM]

Find yourself an old slab of butcher block counter-top. You'll have to oil/weatherproof it for outdoor use, but it will look like a million $$$.

 

[Zeke]

If you reaally want wood, teak is a good choice. But you could do solid surface probably cheaper. I've seen many outdoor tile counters of this nature not last all that long. Water gets below the tile thru the grout.

Solid surface refers to a lot of products, natural and man made. All the counter places have remnants. Most man made can be trimmed and edge finished with wood working tools.

Plain old redwood might do fine. It will weather and get soft over time. Make it nice and thick and you can sand it down each year. Look for used lumber bur don't be taken for a ride. Some of the stuff costs more than new.

Don't try to cut a railroad tie. That stuff is like stone. Would make a hell of a rough counter or table. It will out last you.

 

[monte433]

you could use a bule stone or slate for the top, and think about adding a foot rail along the bottom its alot more comfortable than using the rung on the barstool IMO.

 

[NUTTSGT]

How about some old sandstone sidewalk ?

 

[cowboy73]

You could cast a concrete counter top like they do on all those home improvement shows. You some that special concrete dye. The top could be polished and sealed for the outdoors.

 

[Ocho]

You could cast a concrete counter top like they do on all those home improvement shows. You some that special concrete dye. The top could be polished and sealed for the outdoors.

I attempted an 8ft concrete counter top last year and it ended up costing about $100 in materials. I spent an afternoon building the form and about an hour on "the pour". Although it didn't turn out good enough for inside the house, I always thought it would make a good outdoor bar top.