A kitchen countertop is a good investment. It makes working in the kitchen easier, and a quality surface adds to the appeal of the room for years. If you are looking for a good countertop, one of the best materials in our opinion is granite.
Granite was long the first choice in the countertop industry. It is a highly durable and very beautiful material that has won over many homeowners. Although other materials now compete with it, granite still offers excellent value because of its quality and durability.
If you want a natural stone countertop that is easier on the budget than marble, granite is quite possibly the best option for your kitchen. It also comes in many colors, which is one reason it remains so common in home kitchens.
There are many factors to consider when picking a granite countertop for your kitchen. One that is often overlooked is the thickness of the stone itself. Thickness matters because it affects the durability, the look and the price of the countertop.
This guide explains how thick a granite kitchen countertop should be and why the choice matters, to help you find the right countertop for your kitchen.
Picking the Best Thickness
Thickness is easy to forget when you are comparing colors and patterns, yet it is one of the more important decisions you will make. So what are the common thickness options for granite countertops?
For years, a standard thickness has been 2 cm. It might seem thin, but it has been a common choice across the industry for a long time and is widely stocked by fabricators. A 2 cm top is often installed over a supporting sub-top, and its front edge is sometimes built up to look thicker.
The other common thickness for granite countertops is 3 cm. Slabs of this thickness have become more and more common compared with the traditional 2 cm. A 3 cm slab is sturdy enough to sit directly on the cabinets, and its thicker edge helps show off the stone.
Even thicker looks are popular as well. Some designers go as far as a 2 inch granite edge. A thicker countertop has a solid, substantial presence in the kitchen, and the deeper edge shows more of the stone’s veining.
In the end, it is up to you how thick you want your granite countertop to be. There are several considerations to weigh when you choose, however, and they are covered in the sections below.
Price
Granite may be cheaper than marble, but that does not make it a small purchase. A granite countertop with installation is a significant expense, and the more stone you need, the more it costs.
Granite is priced by area, but keep in mind that thickness is reflected in the price as well. The thicker the slab, the more stone and weight there is to quarry, transport, cut and install. The thickness you choose should therefore be part of your countertop budget.
Standard thicknesses carry standard pricing. Anything thicker, or a built-up edge that imitates a thicker slab, costs extra. If you are not planning anything unusual, a standard slab is the economical choice.
A thicker slab can add noticeably to the price of a granite kitchen countertop, so ask your contractor how much the price will change before you commit. It is better to be prepared than to be surprised by the bill at the end.
Design
The thickness of the slab also affects the overall look of the countertop. A standard thickness is easy on the eye, while thicker slabs add a robust, substantial feel to the kitchen.
With a thicker slab, more of the veining and coloring of the granite is visible along the edge. This is a real advantage if the granite you order has prominent gold or silver veining, and it is one of the main reasons people pick thicker slabs.
Some kitchens work particularly well with thick granite, for example where it matches the rustic character of the cabinets and other visible features. Not every kitchen suits a thick slab, though, so it is worth consulting a designer first.
Edge Customization
People often forget that the edge of a granite countertop can be customized. The standard edge is flat and straight, which is perfectly fine, but many homeowners want something more distinctive, which is why edge profiles are a common request.
The thickness of your countertop affects how it can be shaped. Thicker slabs give the fabricator more material to work with, which allows more elaborate profiles and leaves more margin on complex edge designs.
If you go for a thick slab, consider pairing it with an edge design that looks and feels elegant. The taller edge shows the profile off to better effect. Simple edges are no mistake either. A straight edge has its own appeal.
Availability
Last but not least, consider the availability of the slab. Standard thicknesses are easy to find, and most fabricators keep them in stock. Other thicknesses may be harder to come by.
Before you settle on a thickness, check whether the supplier you want to work with has the stone you like in that thickness. If it is not in their inventory, you will probably have to wait longer before the slab can be fabricated and installed.
It can also make unusual thicknesses more expensive, because the fabricator has to source and prepare a slab to your request. Ask about availability before you begin planning your countertop installation.
At the end of the day, the choice of slab thickness is yours. Some people prefer thicker slabs, while others want thinner ones. Weigh the points above when choosing your countertop so that you get your money’s worth.
Once you know how thick your granite countertop should be, the next step is choosing the stone itself. Many suppliers offer quality granite, but not all of them offer every color in more than one thickness, so ask early. Being discerning about every aspect, thickness included, is the key to getting the countertop you are paying for.