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Edge Profile Options for Kitchen Countertops

There is a large variety of edge finishes to be chosen when ordering a countertop. Each option will give it a completely different look.

Although every stone sheet has the same thickness, around 2 cm / 1″, sometimes we have the impression that a countertop is thicker. It never actually is, but gluing a vertical piece to the edge makes it look so. That is called a laminated edge.

So let’s see the options you have for edges with the standard thickness and for laminated edges, as well as some inspiring pictures so you know how they look.

Standard thickness edge profiles

The cheapest and most modern type is the square edge.

Showing the stone’s real thickness gives prominence to the cabinets, that can be taller than with a laminated edge.

While square edges are a beautiful choice for contemporary kitchens, rounded and detailed ones look more traditional. The options are limitless, but here are some of the most common:

Laminated edge profiles

A laminated edge is any edge that has an extra piece glued to the frontage (the main piece of the countertop).

Mitered edges

The most common type of countertop edge is the mitered edge profile, which is a vertical piece attached under the countertop, in front of it and on the sides, when it does not touch the side wall.

It makes the countertop look more robust, because it looks like the mitered edge profile’s height is the countertop’s thickness. So this is the way to go if you wish the countertop to be a focus of attention in the kitchen.

The two pieces should be cut at 45 degrees, fitting together seamlessly to give this effect.

Let’s see how different countertops look with a mitered edge profile and without it:

Most kitchens have only a short mitered edge profile, making the counter look twice as thick as it really is.

The advantage of keeping it short is having a more robust-looking counter but still with plenty of underneath space for cabinets.

But you can make it as tall as you wish. Here are some taller examples:

You can even have different heights throughout the counter.

In the project below, the counter has a carved sink. Instead of hiding the outside of the vertical pieces needed to form the sink, they are shown as a tall mitered edge profile on front and as a waterfall edge on the side.

Not only it looks nice and different, the size of the sink was also maximized. The rest of the counter has a short edge so there is more space left for cabinets.

Finally, a mitered edge profile also has limitless shape options, for traditional-looking counters:

Marine edges

This type of laminated edge has a piece glued on top of the counter instead of below, to keep water from running off to the floor.

Large counters commonly have two different parts: one with a marine edge, where the sink is embedded, and another with a mitered edge, where the range is.

The edge has a single height throughout the counter length. The effect is the same as for short mitered edges all the way: the counter looks a little thicker, but there is still plenty of space for cabinets.

So, have you decided which is your favorite option of edge profile for kitchen countertops?

You may also want to read about these other subjects on kitchen countertops:

• design: shapes, peninsulas & islands, cutouts, waterfall edges;
• material options;
• standard dimensions;
• backsplash options.