You’re renovating your kitchen. But there are a lot of details that you might need to consider. If you want a lovely granite countertop, how thick should it be? It’s easy to figure out how long and wide a granite countertop should be, but the thickness is going to depend on size and availability. Let’s take a deeper look at how thick your granite should be.
Why Does Thickness Matter?
Thickness matters as much for aesthetics as it does for strength. A thinner counter is far more likely to shatter, even if it may be a little cheaper. Furthermore, there are many people who prefer a thicker look to their counters. For instance, you’ll often find that manufactured counters fake the depth of the counter. There’s an overhang rather than solid material. This is because manufactured counters are usually more concerned with appearance than durability.
Take a look at some of the kitchen designs that appeal to you and notice the thickness of the counters. You might notice that material also makes a difference. Butcher block counters tend to be very thick and noticeable. Stainless steel counters are often thinner and more delicate. Granite and other natural stones like marble may vary.
The Average Thickness of a Granite Counter
In kitchens, a granite counter will usually be about one inch to one inch and a quarter (1″–1.25″). In bathrooms, it’s more likely to have granite that’s about 0.75 inches. Bathrooms are smaller installations and consequently don’t require thicker slabs of granite.
In areas that use centimeters, granite counters will usually range from 2–3 cm thick.
But that doesn’t mean that a counter has to be this thickness. While you wouldn’t want to go under the minimum range (because that could potentially lead to cracking and breaking the granite), it is possible to get thicker slabs if you want that look. And it is possible to get thinner slabs if you want a more delicate look, although you want to get the installation reinforced or installed in panels.
The Color of Your Granite
The color of your granite can also impact the eventual thickness of your counters. In general, it’s easier to find thicker granite in darker colors. Lighter granite is going to be thinner and more suited to bathrooms and other smaller-format applications. Likewise, it can be a challenge to find lighter stones like marble in thicker formats. And because part of marble’s appeal is in its inherent translucency, a thicker slab might not have as much warmth.
Trends in Granite Thickness
Trends in granite thickness do change. If you read an interior design magazine today, you might find that granite thickness has significantly changed over time. Today, the trend is toward thick, bold countertops. But that could change as well. It’s always up to you how much you want to follow trends. What is generally true is that a thicker counter does improve the value of a space as they are more expensive and more valuable.
Stacked Granite Slabs
If you really want to make a statement, there’s also stacked slabs. Stacked granite slabs are exactly what they sound like. They’re one slab on top of another. You can get a very thick installation this way for something like a bold kitchen island. Now, there are some challenges to this. Two slabs of granite are not only expensive but also very heavy. The island will need to be reinforced.
Deciding on a Slab of Granite
How do you decide which granite is right for you? Granite is a natural stone, and part of its beauty lies in its variance. There are a lot of different types of granite out there from different locations across the globe. So your first step should always be to go to a showroom or browse the granite available to you online. You can see a lot of different types of granite, including different colors, sizes, and thicknesses.
You’ll need to take a look at what’s available in the format and size that you need. Once there, it’ll likely become apparent what granite surface works best for you and what you love. You should keep a few things in mind. Thicker granite will usually cost more (though not always). Thicker granite also requires more support. Your builders should be aware of what you plan to do before they start building your cabinet boxes.
The best way to choose granite is to see what’s available. Every slab of granite is unique. Contact Wholesale Granite Direct today to find out more information. You can reach us either by phone or online.
