Residential Bartop Height

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

I am currently redoing my kitchen and I have cut a wall down to make it into a bar. I am putting standard height base cabinets and countertop then a bar on top of them. Is there a standard space between countertop and bartop or a standard height on the bar top?
Thanks,
Norm

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Norman Sharp
http://www.sharpimprovements.com

rbsremodeling

If I understand the question correctly I frame my bar top height at 42"

I prefer 46" for myself

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BKFranks

42"

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OCRS

Last one I did, I told the HO to get their bar stool first, then we determined a comfortable height for the top. I think we settled on 43".

strathd

When I built mine I went down to my favorite bar and measured the height. Cause that was what I was used to. LOL. It is 42'' barstools should be 12'' lower than bar top 30''.

strathd

ooops, just reread your post. My bar was in the basement. Same difference though !

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

Thanks for the quick replies I appreciate it.
Just to make sure, the numbers that have rattled, they are finished height correct?

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Norman Sharp
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strathd

Yup, finished height 42'' The important part is 12'' from bar seat to finished bar top. Nothing says mistake more than sitting too low or too high. If you ever experienced this you'll know what I mean.

bwalley

42" from Finished floor is the standard height for a bar.

One reason why it ends up being 42" is because the finished height of your kitchen top is 36" the backsplash will be 4 1/2" instead of 4" so you can get the electrical in there and the standard top is 1 1/2", add it all up, it is= 42", when I use 3 CM Granite, I will make the backsplash 1/2" taller to help with the electrical and get 42" from finished floor, but a 1/4" +/- is not a big deal.

36" from finished floor is the standard height for a kitchen counter top.

32" from finished floor is the standard height for bathroom vanity top, although we will sometimes in residential projects use tall vanities, so the height is 36".

Tom R

Yep, - - 42" is the standard, - - and normally the stools would be 30", - - but they do sometimes run 31" or even 32", - - so if you pick out the stools first, you can just base your bar-top height 12" higher, as was mentioned.

cleveman

I've had them at 36", so it's the same as the counter. My last stools went with that house.

You can have whatever height you want. As others have said, the height of the stools will determine it. I don't know how easy the stools for a 36" high bar are to find, but the 36" height has some advantages.

Personally, I always thought the built-in swivel stools would be the way to go-not resting on the floor. I think it would be a trick to find some stools with a wood seat and metal frame. I think the company which specializes in the built-ins is called seating innovations.

macatawacab

I have been burned at 42" a couple of times with granite tops.

Check what is in the back splash. Make sure the electrical cover plates fit if for some reason the boxes were put in vertical and not horizontal.

Another big thing is the sink and faucet as they work with the upper counter height. Check the sink template on the counter, where the faucet hole is, and then how does the faucet go vertical without interfering with the bar counter. I had to switch out a Grohe flex for another brand because this got missed. Fortunately the customer was OK with the swtch.

CrpntrFrk

Before we do a bar we always make sure we know what materials we will be using for the finish.
What type of counter top will be on the cabinets?
What type of backsplash?(If any)
More importantly will there be electrical in the backsplash?
If yes to question 3 then I would go with RBS on his prefrence...46"

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Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

there are no outlets or wires in the wall. All electrical is going to be in the other three walls, same with plumbing. It is a simple pony wall with some cabinets and countertop. A header above with pendant lights. I went ahead and framed it out yeasterday for a 42'' finish. I will get the the barstools down the road when finish touches are called for. All good info was provided. Im sure if you have more to say someone else could use it down the road.
Norm

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Norman Sharp
http://www.sharpimprovements.com