Making smart decisions for your countertop edges is about knowing countertop edge styles, material and size, and how all that’s impacted by your tastes and price range.

We do advise you talk with our countertop experts about your options before the installation. You want a clear image of what your kitchen is going to look like and making considerable adjustments later could create design issues.

Some edges you may consider are:

  • Eased edge

  • Bullnose edge

  • Beveled edge

  • Ogee edge

So, let’s review our tips for selecting an edge for your custom countertops. They are general guidelines with a final decision to be made by you and your installer.

Consider Your Style

Thanks to a trend in clean lines and modern aesthetics, basic eased edges are popular. And they work with any style and budget. You can go farmhouse or traditional or modern. It promises a timeless sense of design. Also, if you have energetic kids, this edge isn’t too sharp. You want easy to clean? Go with a profile that doesn’t have grooves or other intricate details.

Consider Maintenance

Spills and drips will collect in the crevices of cove and ogee edges. That means harder to clean which transforms into greater maintenance. Straight, beveled, bullnose, and eased profiles are easy to manage. Also, countertops like quartz and stone look great but edges can chip. A hit with a heavy pot or pan may damage your kitchen countertops. Take a look at (slightly) rounded profiles like bullnose. That minimizes the potential to damage the custom countertops edges.

Consider Size vs. Profile

Detailed profiles require thicker slabs. That pumps up the price. Custom countertops like these also require greater support. Thinner slabs (essentially anything under two centimeters) are good for plainer products. But they will need to be reinforced for added stability and strength with a plywood substrate.

Choosing Perfect Countertop Edges

Let’s look at choosing the edges that are best for your living space.

  • Get sample boards to use for comparing edges and how they’ll fit with your aesthetic. If the installer can’t supply them, get your hands on samples while shopping for countertops.
  • Remember, highly detailed and decorated edges will make small spaces feel smaller. With a more demanding visual, they draw the eye and can overshadow the whole picture. Use samples to see how your ideas work with cabinet hardware, backsplashes and other elements. And, of course, compare all the possible edges.
  • Whether your project is kitchen or bathroom countertops, decide what elements you want to stand out. Ornate cabinetry can overshadow ornate countertop corners and vice-versa. Consider a simple edge profile or if you can’t do without that curved edge, counter it with a simpler cabinet installation or a backsplash.
  • Have your budget in hand for every step of the process. The more intricate the selected countertop edges profile, the more they will cost, the more difficult they will be to engineer, and the longer you’ll have to wait to see the final piece!

With these steps on your agenda, you’re well on your way to choosing the perfect countertop edges.