Your Countertop Isn’t Complete Without Edges And Finishes
Your dream countertop has a unique combination of different colors, textures, patterns, and levels of thickness that you’re likely obsessing over to ensure you end up with the perfect design. No new countertop surface is complete, though, without a few final touches.
After choosing their countertop slab, many homeowners overlook the wide variety of edge styles and surface finishes that they can use to round out their design. However, edges and finishes bring out the best characteristics of your stone and tie it into other design elements in your room. It’s well worth devoting time and energy to choosing the right edge and finish for your new space.
Ready to round out your renovation design? Read on to learn about our most popular edge and finish styles.
Ideas For Countertop Edges
Many people love customizing their homes, and choosing the perfect edge design for your countertop is a great way to make the stone your own. However, certain countertop edges can help resist chipping and wear and tear, while others are more fragile and prone to damage.
Three of our most popular edge options are demi edge, bevel, and pencil roll. These edges suit a range of style and usage habits.
Demi Edge
Demi edge, also called a demi-bullnose, has a semi-circular shape on top and a flat bottom. A full demi edge, or full bullnose, is rounded smoothly from the top to the bottom of the stone.
Pros
Softened edges help prevent breaks and cracks in countertops in kitchens that get lots of use.
Rounded and curved edge design complements nearly any kitchen layout or space in your home.
Easy to maintain and regularly clean compared to intricately angled edge designs.
Cons
Liquid from spills can trickle down curved demi edges into the lower cabinetry. When cleaning, be sure to wipe the curve and beneath the edge to prevent buildup.
Beveled Edge
Bevel edges are a happy medium between sharp and rounded edges. With a 45-degree slice from the top of the counter, beveled countertop edges are mainstays in elegant and contemporary kitchens.
Pros
The angles and width of beveled edges are customizable to match your kitchen and desired style.
A low-profile and elegant appearance perfectly complements more contemporary kitchens.
Clean-up is easy with bevel-edged countertops since liquid drips directly onto the floor rather than into cabinetry.
Cons
Beveled countertop edges create a subdued look that may not suit homeowners who want to make their kitchen appear more extravagant.
Flat Polished Edge
Flat polished edges are highly popular among homeowners who are seeking a modern kitchen design with a contemporary flair. The style is mostly squared, but the edges are slightly rounded. The curve can be on just the top of the stone or the top and bottom. Flat polished edges complement nearly any style of interior design, but they’re especially well-suited to clean modern designs.
Pros
The simple-yet-contemporary design of a flat edge is highly popular with nearly any countertop style and interior design.
This is a great choice for homeowners with a limited budget who still want to accentuate the layout of their kitchen.
Countertops with flat polished edges are durable against damage and don’t chip or crack easily.
Cons
Flat edges can seem less elaborate compared to other alternatives with intricate rounding patterns.
Find Your Perfect Finish
Like countertop edges, choosing a countertop finish can be one of the most exciting opportunities to personalize your new countertop just the way you want.
At Alpha Surfaces, we offer polished, honed, and leathered countertop finishes that range from understated and traditional to extravagantly contemporary and intricate.
Polished
Polished finishes are by far the most common option for countertops. With a polished finish, your stone will have a lustrous, reflective shine that complements just about kitchen layout and style.
Pros
Polished finishes are among the easiest finishes to install to give your countertop an added layer of style and protection.
High durability stands up well to erosion from acid and permanent etches from scratches, especially when compared to honed and leathered finishes.
Bright colors in your space pop when combined with countertops that have polished finishes, which darken and deepen over time.
Cons
A polished finish tends to be the most common, so homeowners looking for something unique may want to consider alternatives.
Honed (Matte)
Nothing is quite as comfortable as a warm and inviting kitchen, which is exactly the effect you can expect to get with a honed countertop finish. Honed (matte) finishes, like the name suggests, are specially brushed down to provide a gentle luster that soaks up natural light.
Pros
Kitchens that see lots of activity are prime candidates for honed countertop finishes. A honed finish conceals wear and tear on countertops well and can mask etches and scratches with its reflective sheen.
Honed finishes are perfect for kitchens that enjoy a lot of natural light. Matte-finished countertops soak up light and distribute it back into your kitchen rather than reflect.
Cons
Honed countertops tend to slightly mute the color and patterns of your stone. Consider alternatives to honed finishes if you want to highlight the color, textures, patterns, and thickness of your slab.
Leathered (Brushed)
Leathered finishes are best for bringing out the natural textures of your stone. Leathered, or brushed, finishes are popular for their rustic appearance and aesthetically pleasing sheen and are wonderful complements to kitchens with a lot of personality and pizzazz.
Pros
Countertops made of natural stone benefit from the aesthetically pleasing way that leathered finishes highlight natural textures of stone.
Leathered textures have the advantage when it comes to stain and scratch resistance. Brushed finishes can hide stains that would otherwise come through and are great options for families with small children.
Cons
Certain homeowners may feel that leathered finishes are too rustic-looking for their liking, especially if they’re interested in making their kitchen appear more elegant and contemporary.
Round Out Your Countertop
Before you sign on for an average countertop edge or default to a glossy finish, consider the ambiance you want for your space. With a few finishing touches, you can bring out the beautiful natural characteristics of your stone and take your room to the next level.
Wondering what it’s like to get a new countertop with Alpha Surfaces? Download our free Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to get answers to our most common customer questions.