Granite Edge Options: What Is Best For Your Kitchen

Having settled for granite as your countertop material, you probably thought your work was over. However, you still have to choose which edge option to go along with the granite counter. There are several options available to you, all with their pros and cons. Granite countertops are known for their beauty and durability. However, the durability and even the beauty can be compromised by the edge you choose. The edge has to fit in with the overall design of the kitchen or the bathroom. Other considerations include the safety of any small children in the home, efficiency, ease of cleaning, and maintenance.

There are some standard edge designs and some premium ones. Granite countertops cut in standard edge options are more affordable than the fancier cuts. We shall look at the most popular granite edges options.

Straight Edge

The straight edge is the most popular granite edge for homeowners. Whether you choose a thin or thick slab of granite for your countertop, a straight cut edge will look just fine. With this style, you can focus on accentuating the intricate pattern of the granite or another detail in your kitchen, which you want to draw attention to. For instance, if you have some beautiful cabinetry or a backsplash, then a straight edge countertop doesn’t compete with them. This brings perfect harmony in the kitchen. The same goes for the bathroom. A straight-edged countertop is highly effective.

Straight edged cut granite countertops are rounded off at the edges to prevent chipping and having a very sharp edge, which can cause injuries.  The edges can be rounded as per your preference.

Square Edge

This is another of the popular edging treatment options available to you. Square edges bring a modern yet simple style to your kitchen. Just like the straight edge, square edges are slightly rounded at the edges to prevent any injuries. The rounding in square edges is subtle enough not to be easily noticed but serves the purpose. The square is rounded off at the top and bottom of the slab and flat at the center. This style is simple and clean. Among all the countertops edge designs, this is the easiest to clean. No food debris will linger here at the edges.

Eased Edge

Another of the most popular granite edges for homeowners, not just for the kitchen but for the bathroom as well. The granite slab is just about softened to prevent the sharp edges. This profile is highly favored when you want the granite to look thicker than it is. It goes with many colors and particularly very well with black. Just like the square edge, it is easy to clean and doesn’t hold debris in the edge as some other fancy cuts do.

Beveled Edge

For designers who want different granite edges that have a more sophisticated and contemporary look, the bevel edge offers just that. The bevel cut is a traditional treatment that is still popular in modern kitchens. The edge is clipped flat on a 45-degree angle. This edge and the angle are not cast in stone. Click here to learn more about how beveled edges can be customized to your specific requirements. It can also be combined with other profiles to create a unique style. The bevel edge makes for a durable countertop and most customizable granite countertop edge types.

Double Bevel Edge

Double bevel granite countertops edges are more sophisticated. They have extra dimensions with both the top and bottom edges cut at an angle, usually 45 degrees. The greater the degree of the edge, the more pronounced the edge. This will also bring out the veining of the granite stone to view, which adds to the sophistication.  Both edges are cut in a manner that they reflect light, thus making your kitchen or bathroom appear brighter.

Waterfall Edge

Waterfall edge is one of the dramatic and different granite edges. The slab runs all the way from the countertop to the floor. This makes it the center of attention in the kitchen. The waterfall edge doesn’t have an edge like other profiles hence the name. It just flows from the top to the floor. Besides the aesthetic appeal, it is safe and easy to maintain. For a more enhanced kitchen island, this profile will work best. The granite slab appears in all its intricate glory. It is a bold style that pays off handsomely when executed right. It brings life, sophistication, and character to the kitchen compared to other granite countertop edge types.

Pencil Edge

Also known as the quarter round edge. This is a modern profile where the top edge has a small radius. You can have double quarter-round as well where both the top and bottom counter edges have small radiuses. This profile gives the granite a thin and clean look. If this is the effect you desire, then the pencil edge granite countertop is the right choice for you. Rounded off countertops have a subtle effect as opposed to sharper angles, which draw more attention.

Half Bullnose Edge

The half bullnose profile is widely used by families. It gives the kitchen a soft, warm feel. If you have young children, the rounded half bullnose is perfect for your kitchen. The half bullnose brings the granite to life with all its veining and thickness. The patterns in the granite will be more enhanced by different granite edges. The only downside is that fluids can quickly trickle to the cabinets below since it is rounded at the top and flat at the bottom of the counter.

Full Bullnose Edge

This is a popular granite countertop profile due to its appeal. It goes well with most kitchen and bathroom designs. The edges are rounded from top to bottom, which gives a warm, sophisticated feel. This style appears in traditional kitchens and bathrooms and continues to appear in modern ones as well. This says something about the timelessness of this design.

These are among the trendy standard granite edge options available. There are many others, including highly customizable ones that can fit your design. Before settling on one choice out of many granite countertop edge types, please take note of the maintenance requirements associated with that profile and how it interacts with other details in your kitchen.