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October 5, 2009
Width for Counter Top
We are trying to decide on counter tops for a new kitchen. We are looking at couple different types of granite and were told the standard witdth is 1.25 inch. It seems awfully thick to me. We heard the old standard was 0.75 which seems just fine. (It is a small kitchen and I am worried the new standard thickness will look very heavy). Any suggestion with places to go that will adjust thickness and do fabrication/ install etc.? Or any insight on just keeping my trap shut and sticking w the standard?
Thanks!
Comments
I'd say go with the standard. We bought thinner countertops once and the dishwasher couldn't be screwed in successfully.....
Posted by: PHfamily at October 5, 2009 8:35 AM
Nothing wrong with the narrower width, the thicker width just looks better at the edge and it is typically made that thickness only at the edge with an additional piece epoxied to the front edge.
If you're designing an island with an overhang, use the granite that's thicker throughout.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 5, 2009 8:37 AM
What PHFamily said is true, also true if you use an undermount sink but remedied with additional blocks epoxied to the underside at points where they are necessary.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 5, 2009 8:38 AM
There are two thicknesses that stone slabs are usually cut to. 2cm (about 3/4") and 3cm (about 1 1/4") What you use is your preference. Some stone is more brittle than others or has more faults in it and so is harder to work with when cut thinner. Also transporting it from shop to site is easier because of less fear of breakage. On the material side 3/4" is slightly cheaper, on the labor side it's the same or maybe slightly more because of the extra care involved. Nothing is truly standard though a fabricator may have more of the 1 1/4" on hand and is hardselling you because he fears you won't wait around for him to order a thinner slab.
Posted by: HDL at October 5, 2009 8:44 AM
3/4 inch sounds too thin. But in next couple days, measure you're current countertop, and ask your friends to measure there's.
Posted by: Petebklyn at October 5, 2009 9:45 AM
.75 sounds really thin to me. I'd go with the thickest cut you can find. It may seem like a small thing but that kind of detail can really cheapen or enhance the look of the space.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at October 5, 2009 10:05 AM
I think the larger size he quoted you is standard. That is what I currently have and I was able to install my dishwasher just fine.
Posted by: HmmWhichNeighborhood at October 5, 2009 10:19 AM
I don't think you mean width, you mean thickness. You can get natural stone cut in a variety of thicknesses but generally speaking,the thicker the better. Even a small counter can shatter if you drop something heavy on it if it is not thick enough.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at October 5, 2009 11:54 AM
I think 3/4" is standard for bathroom vanities, 1 1/4" standard for kitchen counters.
The thickness differential make for a very different look and overall the price differential shouldn't be that great. See what you currently have and if you like it, don't go for anything thinner.
Good luck.
Posted by: Ray at October 5, 2009 8:43 PM
ALL kitchen counter slabs are mined and finished at 3 centimeters, which is about 1 1/4" thick. With the recession, we are seeing more and more of 2 cm stone, which comes mainly from the orient. The thinner stone (33% thinner) can't take the punishment that the 3 cm stone can. Don't do it just to save a buck!
Posted by: STEPHENWANGEL at October 12, 2009 4:28 PM
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