Quartz, marble, and granite countertops are all the rage for those who prefer to have stone for their kitchen and bathroom. Quartz, in particular, has been growing in popularity.
One of the major choices, which you will learn as soon as you go to buy your favorite countertops, is the choice of edges. There can be a seemingly bewildering array of options but don't worry we list below the vast majority of the styles you will find advertised.
After you finish, you should be well down the road of decision making based on what you need.
Why Choose Quartz for your Countertops?
Stone slabs are all the rage in the kitchen. Quartz, which is a mixture of about 90% natural stone, strengthened with 10% polyresin. Due to this, quartz not only retains all the shine, luster, and texture of premium stone countertops, but it is extremely difficult to chip. Also, stains can be easily removed, so long-term maintenance is relatively easy.
How Should you Choose Edges for your Countertops?
There are a number of factors to consider.
First, there’s your own sense of look and artistic sense – there are classical and modern looks. There are styles that look Victorian or French Royal, others that look ultra-modern, and everything in between.
Second, if you have small children or frequently entertain at your home, you may want to choose designs that will not let liquids pool on the countertop but also not let them drip on the sides of the cabinets under the top surface.
The size of the area and the central island may also make a difference. Certain styles create the impression of an extra thick slab that dominate the room. Others can be laid back.
Classifications of Edges for Quartz Countertops
To start with, we group some of the edge designs that are normally found into the following categories, based on whether they cost extra to design and install, or whether they will come in standard designs for no extra costs in most cases. The principal categories are:
Standard Edges – These designs typically do not require paying premium prices;
Premium Edges – As the name suggests, these edges are more difficult to manufacture, and therefore tend to cost extra; and
Laminated or Combination Edges – These designs also cost extra, since they are the combination (joining) of at least two styles of edges from the Standard and/or Premium Lists.
The table below lists some of the general designs or styles under each of the above categories.
There are other single styles or combinations that you may be able to find, or create on a customized basis, but the ones above are the ones which you will find displayed and priced in 90% of home and hardware stores.
Descriptions of Standard Edges
Below are brief descriptions of Standard Edges for your Quartz countertop:
Straight Edges: Also called square-edged, these countertops are simple and ideal for kitchens accentuating a basic design so as not to appear too ostentatious or pull attention away from some other detail (e.g. wall decorations or a dramatic backsplash). Attention must be paid to sharp edges (even though the standard design is to leave the corners slightly rounded), which is why variations exist.
Eased Edges: This is a variation of the straight or square edge, with a slightly rounded and fading top side. This is a safer bet with small children.
Quarter Round Edges: The quarter-round edge at the top of the surface makes the stone slab look slightly more substantial. It’s a softer look than the straight edges and can be used with either contemporary or traditional décor. This is a good fit for bathroom surfaces as well as the kitchen.
Full Bullnose Edges: This popular option for homeowners, especially those with small children prone to run into things (think of their foreheads hitting the edge) features a classic look, with a deeply rounded edge. It produces a classic, contemporary look with both the top and bottom half of the edge rounded. Visually, the stone slab looks thicker.
Half Bullnose Edges: A variation on the full bullnose, this design has only the top half-rounded – it helps show off more of the stone. Additionally, the rounded shape allows liquids to run off the surface, making it popular for often used kitchens. One advantage over the Full Bullnose is that this design reduces the amount of liquid dripping down the cabinet fronts.
Beveled Edges: These edges, also called chamfer, are known for their classic stone top look. The top edge is cut off so that it sits at a 450 angle to the face. Beveled edges are popular for both safety and looks, though there are some granite-look alike countertops now available with beveled finishes. Bevel edges are great for liquid spillage, since they will not drip on the cabinets.
Extreme Bevel Edges: The Extreme Bevel edge is similar to Bevel Edge, except that the angle at which the top edge is cut off is more – so the look and pitch is very slanted.
Descriptions of Premium Edges
Below are brief descriptions of Standard Edges for your Quartz countertop:
Straight Edges with Windfalls: This is a premium variation of a straight/square edge where the edge takes a dip and then extends all the way to the ground on at least one side. This more expensive version helps accentuate the look, including the creases in the stone.
Chiseled Edges: This is a specialized style with a rustic, mountain face look. It is best used in casual settings. The apron and edges are neither straight nor rounded, but slightly jagged in look. Extra care needs to be taken in finishing the stone so it will not chip.
Ogee Edges: The Ogee style is a classic and formal old English (Victorian or Colonial) style. The edge is made into an “S” shape and is meant to convey elegance and grandeur. The concave top resembles a pedestal waterfalling towards the convex base.
Dupont Edges: The Dupont Edge is even more formal than Ogee and has been characterized as French regal. The staired look resembles the end of an open terrace, with a straight (900) edge from the top dropping into a Bullnose shaped base. This design is also good functionally since it tends to direct liquid spilling over to the floor, avoiding the cabinet.
Cove Dupont Edges: The Cove Edge has a recessed bowl-like shape at the top, a more laid-back style than Dupont or Ogee. Combining it with a Dupont creates an ornate look and makes the slab look thick.
Double Bullnose Edges: The Double Bullnose Edge just combines two bullnose-shaped fronts, one slightly moved back and sitting on top of another rounded base. It has a unique look and is better than the Bullnose style in terms of directing spills away from the cabinets.
Quirk Edges: With an L-shaped step cut on top, the Quirk Edge is best expressed in quartz as opposed to other, stone countertops. It’s a unique look for the kitchen.
Descriptions of Laminated Edges
Below are brief descriptions of Standard Edges for your Quartz countertop:
Laminated Ogee Edges: The Laminated Ogee Edge combines two S-shaped Ogee edges, one tumbling to the middle of the apron from the top and the other starting from there into the bottom of the edge. Besides the super elegant look, it is a variation that quartz holds well and produces a unique feel for the kitchen.
Laminated Bullnose Edges: The Laminated Bullnose Edge combines a regular Bullnose edge with a second bullnose added to the bottom. While the slap is not actually double the thickness, the double heft of the edge creates an impression of a super thick slap.
Cove Dupont/Ogee Edges: Two classic edges, the Cove Dupont (on top) and the Ogee Edge (on the bottom) are laminated together to create a formal yet elegant look.
Mitered Edges: This style creates an impression of an extra thick slab without using extra stone. Instead, the effect is created by joining two interfaces, each cut at a 450 angle (the top slab at the bottom and the vertical apron on top). The effect can be more dramatic if the apron continues down the cabinet face in a waterfall. This is a less costly way of making the countertop dominate the room.
Eased and Mitered Edges: This is a variation of the mitered style, but with rounded corners and a slightly rounded top edge. The end effect is still that of a thick stone slab, but a more traditional look.
A Video on Choosing Edges for Quartz Countertops
The following video shows how some of the choices may be evaluated.
The color, texture and thickness are what homeowners stress about when choosing quartz countertops. Edges can be an afterthought, but they are hugely important to rounding off (not always literally!) the look and feel of your countertops. Choosing the right edge can make all the difference to how the counter fits in with the entire room.
Luckily, the options and combinations are endless. Quartz is a material that can be worked into creating the exact right edge for you.
Hi, my name is Jonathan Smith. I have been in the granite business for many years and have worked my way up from an installer helper to an installer and then a countertop business owner.
I started my countertop company with very little and grew extremely fast because of my knowledge and helpfulness. I started this countertop resource for 1 main reason. That reason is that there are no countertop websites with all the correct information and none of them are from an industry expert like myself.
I am still in the trade every single day installing countertops, educating people on the type of material they are using for their homes, and making people's dream kitchens a reality.
