A 2 cm or 3 cm countertop, or a thickened edge?
A 3 cm countertop is stiffer, copes better with overhangs and large cut-outs, and is the kitchen standard. A 2 cm countertop is lighter and looks slimmer, but needs better support. A thickened edge (4–6 cm) is made by bonding a strip of stone underneath, so you see a thick edge without the weight of a full slab.
What 2 and 3 cm mean
This is the thickness of the stone slab. A 3 cm slab is clearly heavier and stiffer than a 2 cm one.1 In a kitchen this difference decides how far the countertop can project past the cabinets and how many cut-outs it can take.
When to choose 3 cm
- Long runs with cut-outs for the sink and hob.
- An island with an overhang for seating.
- More brittle or veined stones.
When to choose 2 cm
- A bathroom countertop, a window sill, a short, well-supported countertop.
- A kitchen where a slim look matters and the cabinets give full support.
In the USA a 2 cm countertop is usually laid on a plywood base.1 We match the thickness to the length of the overhangs and the cut-outs, and plan the support at measurement.
Thickened edge
If you want the countertop to look thick, you do not need to buy a 6 cm slab. A strip of stone from the same slab is bonded underneath, and the corner is cut at 45 degrees so the pattern runs over the edge. The countertop looks solid but weighs less.
Weight matters
A square metre of 3 cm granite weighs several dozen kilograms. The cabinets must be strong and level, and long pieces are carried in by several people. It is one of the reasons we only measure once the furniture is finished.
How to decide
Tell us what the edge should look like and where you will sit. At measurement we will choose the thickness and support, and show you a sample of the edge.
(Sources)
(Questions)
Does a thickened edge show as a seam?
With a good pattern match and an edge cut at 45 degrees, the seam is almost invisible.
What thickness for a bathroom countertop?
Usually 2 cm is enough, because the countertop is short and well supported.
