KITCHEN COUNTERS PART 2
Last time, we started the discussion about kitchen countertops, and mainly discussed the different material options available. If you missed that post, you can find it here!
And now - we continue the conversation about kitchen countertops - this time talking about more than just the material. Let’s jump right in!
Edge Profile: Depending on the material you select, there are many different edge profiles to choose from. Lately, a common selection has been an “Eased Edge” which looks squared-off, but the corner has a soft edge to it, just slightly rounded off so the corner isn’t sharp. There are almost unlimited options for edge profiles, some getting fancy such as an “Ogee Edge”, which has a fancier curve combination. You can also select a “Bullnose Edge” which is in between the Eased and Ogee, which has a more rounded top to the countertop profile. Some of this selection is personal preference, and some depends on the countertop material selected, so always chat with your installer about what would be most durable and effective for your application.
Finish: Plastic Laminate and Wood countertops are fairly straight forward in the surface finish options. Stone, however, can have a greater variety in the final product. Some stones (like granite) can have a “leathered” finish. This finish is slightly textured, making the stone feel softer and more tactile. There is also a “honed” finish, which has more of a matte look but is still a smooth surface with no leathered texture. While beautiful, beware of fingerprints on this stone finish selection! “Glossy” is the most commonly found finish for stone countertops, where the stone is polished to shine, shine, shine! Speaking of shine, stone countertops are sealed and need routine maintenance (normally yearly) to be re-sealed and keep that countertop functioning as it should.
End Details: Countertops overhang their associated cabinet somewhere between 1” - 1.5”. This should be standard for your installer, but it can be helpful to know in a situation where your cabinet hardware is at the top of your drawer. If this is the case, it could be helpful to test where the handle sits with the countertop overhang to confirm you can comfortably open your drawers! My favorite end detail to talk about is a waterfall edge - where instead of the countertop ending at the cabinet, a vertical piece is placed at the end, so your countertop continues from the horizontal surface down to the floor - it sure looks pretty! If budget allows, the waterfall edge is also a good solution in a high-traffic area. We have a waterfall edge at the end of our kitchen/living room countertop, and I am so thankful for it! When things get bumped against it, toy cars driven on it, or it is crashed into by something - I know the stone countertop material can handle it better than a wood cabinet ever could!
Bar Seating: When planning for bar seating and a countertop overhang in your space, plan for a minimum of 12” of overhang to comfortably sit at the countertop. The material selected for your countertop can affect how great of an overhang you can have, and some materials might require more support than others. Asking your installer to discuss options with you can lead to a countertop install that is durable and withstands normal use, while still looking beautiful! (Side note - when purchasing those beautiful bar stools, be sure to note if your bar height is standard or a countertop bar height so that your chairs are the right fit!)
As you might have noticed, having a good installer can make a world of difference in the longevity and performance of your countertops. Installations can also be measured and cut by hand, or by a machine, which makes a great difference in the accuracy of your install. As with anything, though, there is always a balance between quality and price, so determine which elements are most important to you when gathering quotes from installers, and make the decision on what you are most comfortable with!
We probably could have spent 3 separate blog posts on countertops - but I have some other items I am excited to share with you next time - so we will wrap up this discussion for now. If you have any questions, or do find yourself in need of some new countertops, drop a comment, I would love to chat!
If you want help creating a home that is Intentional, Beautiful, and Yours - in the midst of daily living and your life season - check out my Signature Workshop. It’s designed to help you create a home that highlights your heart for your family, and I would love if you checked it out.
