Thickness
- 12 mm: common for porcelain and sintered stone. Very slim, usually fitted onto a support or given a mitred front edge.
- 20 mm: the everyday choice for quartz and granite. Light enough to carry easily, slim enough to look modern.
- 30 mm: chunkier and more traditional, popular on islands. Heavier, and not every design is made in it.
Edge profiles
- Eased or pencil: square with the sharp corner softened. The most common and the least likely to chip.
- Half bullnose: the top corner rounded. Soft to lean on.
- Full bullnose: rounded top and bottom. Traditional, and child-friendly.
- Bevel: an angled top corner that catches the light.
- Ogee: an S-shaped profile for a classic or period kitchen, best in natural stone.
Mitred edges
A mitred edge joins a strip of stone to the front of the worktop at 45 degrees, so the edge looks much thicker than the slab and the pattern carries round the corner. It is the usual way to give porcelain presence, and it is used for waterfall ends on islands.
Matching the kitchen
Slim tops suit handleless and modern kitchens. Thicker tops and softer profiles suit shaker doors and older houses. If you can't decide, ask to see the edge on a sample piece rather than in a drawing.
Questions we are asked
Which edge chips least?
A slightly rounded edge, such as an eased or half bullnose, chips less than a crisp square edge.
Can 20 mm and 30 mm be mixed?
Yes. A 30 mm island with 20 mm perimeter tops is a popular combination.
Are mitred edges weaker?
Not when bonded properly. The joint runs along the edge and is barely visible on most designs.