North York Granite Companies: Decorative Edges to Enhance Granite Countertops

Updating a kitchen's countertops is one of the best ways to instantly improve the appearance and value of any home. Some of the most common countertop materials, including natural stone and man-made materials, are:

Granite is the most popularly used material when designing countertops specifically for the kitchen.

 

 

Granite is a very popular countertop stone as it is very beautiful and tasteful. In addition to its beauty, granite is also very useful, all of which contribute to its ability to increase the value and profit of any home in which it is utilized. As it is highly valued, granite slabs tend to be quite costly for most homeowners. However, while initial costs may be expensive, many consider the pay-off in the long-term - both in terms of performance and when it comes time to sell the home - to be worth every penny. However, for those not looking to expand renovation budgets, granite tiles are also available, which offer all the same qualities of solid granite but at dramatically more affordable prices.

 

Benefits of granite stones, whether it be solid or tile, are:

Edge details are a great opportunity for homeowners or designers to customize granite pieces. Interesting edge designs are a great and effective way to help emphasize the beauty of granite countertops, and the overall appearance of a kitchen. However, it is important for homeowner and designers to remember that it is highly likely that the more intricate the design, the more costly the piece will be as it will require more skill, attention, and time of the granite manufacturer.

 

The types of edge details commonly used with granite countertops are referred to as:

 

The edge detail called eased edge is sometimes also called the "pencil edge". The eased edge is frequently seen in kitchens and it is usually the standard edge made available to new homes. While eased edges have flat edges with a curvature of 90 degrees, this edge detail is not sharp and is therefore no problem with families and small children. Benefits of the eased edge are the cost, as it is usually less expensive than other finishing edges, and its durability. The eased edge is very strong and sturdy, making it quite resistant to cracking or chipping. However, the eased edge is not classified as a decorative edge detail, and is usually perceived as boring - doing little to enhance the appearance of countertops or the kitchen.

 

 

The waterfall edge, which may also be referred to as the "triple pencil" edge, describes a decorative countertop edge that consists usually of three layers. Each layer protrudes slightly more outwards than the one before it, with the layer closest to the surface being the shortest protrusion. Granite countertops with waterfall edging tend to be a more expensive than others, since this edge is complex and takes a lot of skill and experience to create. This edge is actually not ideal for busy kitchens with lots of traffic or use. Waterfall edge countertops are at a higher risk of cracking compared to other edge details that are less complex.

 

 

This edge comes in three different alternatives:

A full bullnose edge technically has no edges, because its "edge" is completely rounded. Both the top edge and bottom edge of full bullnose countertops are rounded, which is uncommon with most rounded edge details. Only the top edge of a half bullnose countertop is round, while the lower edge, the edge underneath and usually out of sight, is flat. A demi-bullnose edge detail also only has the top edge rounded. However, with a demi-bullnose, the top edge is more of an oblong shape rather than round.

 

 

The ogee edge is great as it is both aesthetically pleasing thereby enhancing the countertop's appearance, while it is also very practical in terms of performance. Ogee edge begins as a standard squared edge. However, the edge is then layered, typically into two, in which the lower layer extends slightly more outwards than the surface layer. As mentioned, the surface layer is a standard square edge, while the lower layer is usually a bullnose edge. Therefore, the corner that extends the farthest is rounded, which is safer for families.