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I?m planning a counter area adjacent to my pizza oven. If you can picture a rectangular area, with the pizza oven entrance on the back side, the counter is to the left and 128? long and 36? deep. I?ve built a 3-sided concrete block structure (back + 2 sides) using 4 layers of 8x8x16 block on a concrete pad. The fifth layer is 4x8x16 blocks which are flush to the exterior, exposing 4? of the top surface of the fourth layer. I plan to use that extra four inches to extend the counter space. I also plan a 4? over hang in front, so the overall counter space is 120? x 36?. I?ll probably tile for the top and stucco or rock on the front.
You can see the pad layout in the Picture 1.
I?m new to steel framing but it seems the best choice to build the walls of the structure. I plan to put synthetic decking on the floor and screw the steel framing through the deck boards and into the concrete. The deck boards will look nice and keep the steel framing out of any (unlikely) water that would collect in it. It should look nice too.
One of my questions is about the orientation of the steel studs. After much thinking, it seems easiest to secure a 36? steel track (32? of block + 4? overhang) horizontally on the left and right sides flush with the top of the fourth course ? with the open sides facing each other, which would all me to put (128-8) 120? studs horizontally in the track. I?ll have to cut the studs and cross-frame the area for the sink.
On top of this ?horizontal wall? I?ll add 1/2? pressure treated plywood + thinset + 1/4? hardibacker + thinset + tile (and grout).
Underneath, I will build the steel walls whose heights are flush with the framing from the top. I?m not sure I need a wall on the back side (or left or right sides) if I secure the horizontal stud into the concrete block with Tapcons (screwed into concrete block). The front wall will be flush with the block minus 1/4? for the hardibacker.
As far as access to the area under the counter, I?d love to use stainless access doors but it?s too expensive - $425+ for a 48x19? double door and I?d want two. That leaves crafting some weatherproof doors. What wood and natural-looking finishes can I use that stands up to the heat and humidity of the South? The doors will face North so they?ll never see sunlight ? that?s a plus and a minus. I also need to figure out how to mount hinges with steel studs? Do I need to add some wood somewhere?
Questions I'd especially like help with:
1. Is it reasonable to build the counter support as a horizontal ?wall? secured to the concrete block?
2. Do I need to build a stud wall on the back wall to support the countertop framing (the horizontal wall) or are the tapcons sufficient?
3. How do I mount door hinges into steel studs? How does that change if I put stucco or rock on the surface?
Thanks,
Jeff
You can see the pad layout in the Picture 1.
I?m new to steel framing but it seems the best choice to build the walls of the structure. I plan to put synthetic decking on the floor and screw the steel framing through the deck boards and into the concrete. The deck boards will look nice and keep the steel framing out of any (unlikely) water that would collect in it. It should look nice too.
One of my questions is about the orientation of the steel studs. After much thinking, it seems easiest to secure a 36? steel track (32? of block + 4? overhang) horizontally on the left and right sides flush with the top of the fourth course ? with the open sides facing each other, which would all me to put (128-8) 120? studs horizontally in the track. I?ll have to cut the studs and cross-frame the area for the sink.
On top of this ?horizontal wall? I?ll add 1/2? pressure treated plywood + thinset + 1/4? hardibacker + thinset + tile (and grout).
Underneath, I will build the steel walls whose heights are flush with the framing from the top. I?m not sure I need a wall on the back side (or left or right sides) if I secure the horizontal stud into the concrete block with Tapcons (screwed into concrete block). The front wall will be flush with the block minus 1/4? for the hardibacker.
As far as access to the area under the counter, I?d love to use stainless access doors but it?s too expensive - $425+ for a 48x19? double door and I?d want two. That leaves crafting some weatherproof doors. What wood and natural-looking finishes can I use that stands up to the heat and humidity of the South? The doors will face North so they?ll never see sunlight ? that?s a plus and a minus. I also need to figure out how to mount hinges with steel studs? Do I need to add some wood somewhere?
Questions I'd especially like help with:
1. Is it reasonable to build the counter support as a horizontal ?wall? secured to the concrete block?
2. Do I need to build a stud wall on the back wall to support the countertop framing (the horizontal wall) or are the tapcons sufficient?
3. How do I mount door hinges into steel studs? How does that change if I put stucco or rock on the surface?
Thanks,
Jeff
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