Your countertop is one of the most used items in the kitchen. In comparison to all of the other decisions that are made during home remodeling, choosing your countertop edge may not seem high on the list of functionally important items, but it should be. In addition to countertop material, the edge will affect daily functionality. There are numerous countertop edges; we’ve listed the five most common countertop edges below and the pros and cons to each.
- Squared: The boring name of this countertop edge is deceptive since the squared edge works in almost all design styles. Edges are not sharpened to a point in this style since they would be sharp and prone to chipping. Instead the corners are fabricated with small cuts, called
kerfs, that slightly soften the corners to make the countertop safer.
- Eased Edge: The squared edge with “eased” corners is an excellent edge for the simple lines of a contemporary design. This edge also gives counters a thicker look. Since the edges are still pointed, spills will drip onto the floor, but the edge is very easy to clean.
- Beveled – This edge features a flattened corner at approximately a 45 degree angle. The bottom corner comes to a point, which means spillage will drop to the floor. The beveled edge is easy to clean and compliments contemporary designs.
- Mitered – This edge is assembled from two pieces. Typically, a standard-sized countertop is wrapped with a thicker frame around the sides. The intention is to give a standard-sized countertop the thicker look without adding extra weight. The mitered edge is a good fit for both traditional and contemporary designs.
- Bullnose – This rough-named edge of this countertop gives a soft touch to any design. The edge is rounded from top to bottom making cleaning mildly challenging since crumbs can stick to the curved edge. The rounded edge goes to the bottom which prevents spills from dripping onto the floor, instead it directs them to run down cabinet fronts. This countertop edge is ideal for a kitchen with small children, though, because of the rounded edge on the bottom.
Once you’ve chosen a countertop edge, discuss it with our designer to ensure you like the surface you’ll use for years to come.
