Table of Contents
Getting a kitchen countertop is a good investment for your kitchen. Not only does it make things easier for you inside the kitchen, a good kitchen countertop is going to be a good investment as it helps increase the value of your kitchen over time. If you are looking for a good countertop, then one of the best materials in our opinion is granite.
Granite used to be at the top of the countertop industry. It’s a highly durable and very beautiful countertop material that’s captivated many homeowners in the past. Although it’s no longer as popular as it used to be, granite is still a bang for your buck kitchen countertop option because of its quality and durability.
If you are looking for a natural stone countertop that won’t put a dent on your budget as much as what marble would do, then granite is quite possibly the best option for your kitchen. It comes in many colors too which is why people can’t help but put this in their home’s kitchen. Are you convinced yet?
There are many factors you need to consider when picking a granite countertop for your kitchen. An often overlooked aspect of picking a countertop like granite is the thickness of the material itself. Surprisingly, people forget that the thickness of the countertop also matters as well as it can affect the durability and pricing of the countertop.
This time, we are going to talk about exactly how thick your kitchen countertop made of granite should be. This will help you find the perfect countertop for your kitchen. By the end of this piece, you’ll understand why the thickness of your granite countertop matters very well.
Picking The Best Thickness
The thickness of your kitchen countertop made of granite matters very well. However, a lot of people seem to forget this crucial aspect of getting a countertop but it’s quite possibly one of the most crucial options that you need to think of. Just exactly what are the common thickness options for granite countertops?
The industry standard for years has long been 2cm. It might seem like a thin countertop but considering that this has been the common choice among industries, then it’s the perfect choice for you as well. You can find 2cm slabs in fabricators worldwide. Since it’s the most common, you don’t have to request it specifically most of the time.
Another common thickness for granite countertops is around 3cm. In fact, this thickness for slabs are becoming more common as compared to the traditional 2cm. Surprisingly, it’s one of the best options nowadays too as the thickness of this countertop can help highlight the overall design aesthetic of the slab.
Nowadays, thicker and thicker options are becoming popular as well. Some designers are going as far as 2 inch granite slabs. As it is thicker, this style of countertop is actually great in terms of durability and their overall utility in the kitchen. Since it’s very thick, you can easily see through veining on these countertops as well.
Of course, it’s completely up to you as to how thick you want your granite countertop to be. However, there are various considerations that you need to make when picking the thickness for your granite countertop and that’s what we’re going to talk about in this next but most important section.
Price
Granite may be cheaper than marble but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s not something that’s going to cost you heavily. Of course, granite can still set you back a heavy $5,000-$8,000 overall including the installation. The bigger the granite you get, the more expensive it’s going to be of course.
Although granite is priced per square meter, keep in mind that the weight of the countertop will be considered into the price as well. The thicker the slab you get, the more weight there’s going to be in it. As such, the thickness of the slab you get should be a factor in the budget you have for the countertop as well.
A 2cm slab is the industry standard. Since that is the case, the price you pay for a countertop of this thickness is the standard price of a countertop as well. Anything thicker and you’ll have to pay extra for your kitchen. Ideally, you should consider getting the 2cm slab if you aren’t going to do anything major.
A thicker slab can add thousands to the price of your granite kitchen countertop so be sure to ask your contractor about how much the price will increase upon the installation of it. It’s best to be prepared now than to be surprised with a staggering bill at the end of the day.
Design
Believe it or not, the thickness of the slab you get for your granite countertop also has its effects on the overall aesthetic appeal of the countertop. The traditional thickness of the countertop is good on the eyes but thicker slabs add a touch of robustness to your kitchen that make you want to reconsider your choices.
If the slabs are thicker, the veins and the coloring of the granite countertop are going to be more visible. This is why it’s a great feature to have thicker slabs if the granite you order has prominent gold or silver vinings on the side. This is one of the top reasons why people pick thicker slabs over the regular size of granite countertops.
Some kitchens actually work well with thicker slabs of granite. This helps match the rustic appeal of kitchen cabinets and other visible additions to your kitchen. Of course, keep in mind that not all kitchens are going to look well with a thick granite slab in them so it’s best to consult with a designer for this first.
Edge Customization
Surprisingly, people tend to forget that you can actually have the edge of your granite countertop customized. The standard edge is just a flat and straight edge which isn’t exactly bad but some people just really prefer making their countertops be more unique and beautiful which is why edge customization is a common request in the countertop industry.
The thickness of your countertop will also affect its capacity to be customized. Thicker slabs are far easier to customize because of the extra space. This allows the contractor or fabricator to be more experimental with the edge of your countertop. This also means lesser room for error on more complex edge options as well.
If you are going to thick slabs, we highly suggest partnering it with edge designs that look and feel elegant and sophisticated. The thicker area for the edge allows the design to be highlighted even further. However, going to simple edges isn’t bad as well. Straight edges still have their own appeal after all.
Availability
Last but not the least, you have to consider the availability of the slab as well. Keep in mind that since 2cm is the industry standard, you won’t have to look too hard for it. Just go to any fabricator and you’ll see that they have a 2cm slab waiting for you to be availed. On the other hand, other thicknesses might be harder to come by.
Before you think about the thickness of your countertop, you should first consider whether or not the brand you want to transact with has that certain thickness on their stock. If they don’t have the thickness on their inventory, then you’ll probably have to wait a while longer before you can get the slab delivered to your home.
This means that the thick slabs are going to be more expensive as well. The fabricators will have to find and customize a slab that fits your requests after all. As such, it’s very important that you ask about the availability of the slabs before you begin planning for your countertop installation as well.
At the end of the day, the choice of the thickness of the slab completely depends on you. Some people prefer thicker slabs but there are others that want thinner once as well. Consider these things we’ve said when picking your home’s countertop so that you get your money’s worth out of the purchase.
Now that you know how thick a granite countertop should be, your next step should be to get the countertop itself. There are many brands that can offer you quality granite countertops but of course, not all of them offer high customization which allows you to pick the thickness of your kitchen countertop.
Hopefully, you find the perfect countertop for your kitchen with the help of this guide. Granite is one of the best investments you can make for your kitchen. Being discerning about every aspect of it is the key to ensuring that you are getting what you paid for, with the installation of your countertop.
Call us now, or check us at Facebook anytime!
