Six Questions To Ask Before Starting A Kitchen Remodel

Countertop – what profile should I choose?

When it comes to kitchen countertops, the first thing most people think about is the material & color. Sure, there are dozens of options to choose from – concrete, glass, stainless steel, butcher block, quartz surface, and so on. (If you’re not sure, feel free to visit our “Top 10 Kitchen Countertop Materials” guide for a quick pros-and-cons overview.)

But there’s another aspect of kitchen countertops that has the same “micro element with macro impact” aspect as the shape & size of cabinet hardware – the profile (edge shape) of the countertop.

There are many profiles available, from basic to fancy. Keep in mind that not all profiles are compatible with all materials – for example, it may not be the best idea to use a rounded or ogee profile with a laminate, since the edges may not look natural and the pattern may not align at the seams. Most countertop suppliers charge extra for the fancier profiles, but for high-end kitchens, this is a worthwhile investment, since the shape of the countertop will play a subtle – but significant – role in the kitchen design.

For smaller kitchens, space-saving designs like the “flat” or “standard” edge, or minor variations like the “1/4-inch radius” or “5/16-inch bevel” work well, since they don’t take away from the usable countertop space. Note that the “flat” edge isn’t truly flat – to minimize the risk of injury and chipping, countertop manufacturers put in a ⅛” rounded or beveled edge. A truly flat edge would be dangerous!

Natural stone countertops – granite, quartz, and marble – may benefit from a more complex edge shape that showcases the stone’s colors and detail. An “ogee”, “bullnose”, or combination edge, will add a touch of sophistication while showing off the natural beauty of the material and “visualizing” the thickness of the slab. However, the more complicated edges may be harder to keep clean and sweep crumbs off the counter.

Some of the more complicated edge styles require a thicker material – typically 3” as opposed to the more usual 1-¼”-2”… but an additional complete layer, or an edge, could be attached to the bottom of the main slab, to accommodate an extra cut.

Dramatic profiles like the “Hollywood Bevel” or the “Chiseled” / “Broken Edge” could be used to great effect, when carefully paired with the right materials (quarter-sawn oak base and chiseled-edge granite = a definite visual impact!). Unusual choices like the “Marine Edge” (a raised border) could turn the countertop into an attention-getting centerpiece, and/or provide a convenient way to contain spills. The possibilities, as they say, are truly endless…

Make sure to discuss the countertop edge choices with your designer, as well as the countertop supplier, and feel free to use the 3D design tools available online – such as the “Visualizer Edge Tool” from Marble.com – to play around with the various combinations of stone colors and edge shapes, and find out the one that suits your kitchen style – and your personal taste – the best.