Edge profiles and countertop styles
February 21, 2017The devil may be in the details, but often the subtle beauty of a space can be found there as well. Whether you use natural or man-made materials for your kitchen countertops, the style of edge you choose can greatly improve the overall look of your kitchen.
Some people may not even consider the edges of their countertops – known as the edge profile or edge treatment -when tackling a kitchen refacing or kitchen remodeling project, but they add a distinctive flair to your kitchen’s style. The variations in edge profile styles are virtually limitless, so start with the basics and drill deeper from there.
Lucky for you, we’ve made this handy guide!
Stone and solid surface countertop materials have traditionally had the widest range of edge profiles, but recent advances in laminate fabrication mean that both smooth and beveled outward-curving shapes are now available as well. Inward-curving styles like the Dupont and ogee edge profiles are still exclusive to solid surfaces, but longtime favorites such as eased, bull nose, demi-bull nosed and beveled edges are now options for laminate countertops too.
Edge Styles: Square, beveled, rounded and ornate.
If you’re new to thinking about choosing a profile edge, for instance if you’ve never remodeled a kitchen but are now going forward with cabinet refacing, the classic profile to consider is a simple square edge. From there you can look at subtle changes to that edge, such as having the edges eased to prevent sharp edges. An eased edge is slightly rounded for a smooth and comfortable feel.
This stone countertop has an eased edge.
The beveled edge is a classic, especially in small kitchens. It’s very flattering on stone or a stone-look laminate and solves the issue of sharp edges while still keeping a crisp look. Beveled edges come in single bevel, which bevels the top edge, and double bevel, which angles the lower edge of the countertop as well. The degree of bevel can vary, with 1/4 inch being the most common, but 1/2 inch and the very distinctive slope of the Hollywood beveled edge are also available, depending on your fabricator.
Rounded edges are most often available in the range of bullnose edge profiles, though the crisp yet curved thumbnail edge profile is popular too. The half bullnose edge and its variations work well to prevent sharp edges and give the countertop a refined look. If you know you like the bullnose style, you can then look at that whole family of edge profiles, including full bullnose and demi-bullnose. This style can also be combined with ornate options to make the ogee bullnose, or Dupont bullnose.
If any version of the squared or rounded look is too boring for your sense of style, you may want to consider the more ornate styles of countertop profiles. The ogee is a timeless classic that looks great on islands, especially when contrasted with a more contemporary square edge on the counters around the perimeter of the kitchen. The French cove also adds a sense of class to your edges, or you might choose something like a Dupont trim with a square edge underneath, a Cole Smith edge profile, or an offset ogee demi edge. Another unique variation, most often seen in stainless steel but also available in other materials, is the marine edge which slightly raises the edge above the rest of the countertop. There are many more of these unique edges available, with the selection varying by fabricator. Talk with your countertop fabricator to see what they have available and what works best for your surface.
As mentioned earlier the variations are almost limitless, so the perfect edge profile to match exactly the look and feel and material you really want in your kitchen is waiting to be found. With a little bit of extra time and consideration, this detail can be the finishing touch that accentuates your style for many years to come.
