While a great deal of time can go into selecting just the right piece of natural stone for a countertop, what type of edge it has is also a very important consideration. A beautiful way to enhance the style of your kitchen, the edge of your countertop alters the aesthetic of your kitchen or bathroom and has utilitarian impacts as well. Here are a few of the more popular styles of countertop edge for your consideration.

SQUARE

Offering clean lines and little fuss, the basic cut of the square edge is great for complementing other design elements. Although they are rarely entirely square due to the natural grooves of the stone, the simplicity of the cut does not draw attention to itself, and it is less likely to get chipped or cracked than most other edges.

BULLNOSE

A very popular edge is the bullnose, which rounds off the countertop to allow for a nice, smooth curve. Great for showing off how thick the countertop is, the bullnose does offer some variations. A half bullnose rounds off the top of the edge, leaving the bottom edge square while the full bullnose rounds off both corners of the edge. While the bullnose does add warmth and softness to the countertop, it is especially useful for families with small children because it has no sharp corners or edges.

BEVELED

Although this traditional edge is reminiscent of classic stone architecture, a beveled edge is often used for those seeking a heavy, modern look. Sometimes called a “chamfer”, a bevel is a 45-degree cut along the top edge of the countertop, although a reverse bevel, with the cut along the bottom edge, is growing in popularity as well. A beveled edge makes a strong design statement while softening sharp edges. Tasteful and elegant, a beveled edge can be customized to your preference.

OGEE

For a more sophisticated look, guaranteed to draw attention to your natural stone countertops, the ogee edge offers a timeless aesthetic with this eye-catching elegant detail. Cut with two sweeping arches along the edge of the countertop that form an S-shaped curve, the ogee works well in traditional kitchens. Seen often in Colonial, Victorian, and other classic architectural styles, the ogee offers beautiful detail and no sharp edges.

While these four are some of the more popular choices in countertop edges, they are by no means the only choices. A chiseled edge offers a rustic look with the edge of the countertop resembling its more natural state with what is often called a broken edge or rock face. To retain the formality of an ogee without the extra detail, the cove edge features a bowl-shaped recess on the top edge, offering a smooth groove all along the edge. For more formality, you may want to consider a DuPont edge or go with the waterfall look, which showcases a rounded top above the vertical edge.

Because the edge of a countertop will help set the aesthetic for whatever room it is in, we look forward to discussing your options with you to ensure that you get the exact look you desire.