Thick Granite Countertops: Everything You Need To Know

When it comes to kitchen redesigns, granite is one of the popular choices among homeowners. They’re elegant, hard, and durable.

Homeowners must have made the necessary considerations for choosing the best redesign: color, orientation, and vein patterns. But probably, they have never thought about how thick granite countertops should be.

Granite countertop thickness can furnish the kitchen’s overall aesthetic. Most designs call for thin countertops, while others look better with thick slabs. When selecting a perfect design for kitchen countertops, make sure to consider the granite countertops’ thickness.

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For now, let’s talk all about granite countertops and their thickness:

1. What Are Granite Countertops?

Granite is purely a natural stone that is directly extracted from stone mines. Further, it is cut thin, polished, and fabricated into countertops.

2. Why Are Granite Countertops Perfect For Any Kitchen?

• Appearance

Granite is a beautiful natural stone that gives the kitchen more color and warmth. Granite worktops are distinctive because no two pieces are precisely the same. As a result, granite offers an intriguing design feature and gives the kitchen a richness and texture that cannot be achieved with other surfaces. In addition, it may result in glory or beauty unique to nature.

Your kitchen’s look will be instantly elevated with the use of granite. And as previously mentioned, granite is one of the popular choices amongst homeowners today. Whether you’re building a new home or renovating your kitchen, this is always the chosen material for many homeowners.

• Strong And Long-Lasting

Granite is a hard stone with a long lifespan. It is largely scratch-resistant. It might last an entire lifetime with proper installation and upkeep. Diamond is the hardest natural material in the world, but did you know that granite follows second to diamond? Granite is also resistant to cracking and chipping. Just make sure that you get a contractor that will ensure that it’ll be installed properly because a granite’s durability is also highly dependent on its proper installation.

• Appearance

They come in a variety of colors and patterns, and their gorgeous texture lends a great appearance to the entire kitchen. Edges can also be produced in various shapes, such as bullnose, bevel, etc., to create a fashionable style. Granite is the best countertop material that works with every interior design.

Some granite has specks; others have flow and grains. Some have black and white incorporated into them, while a few may have various shades of pink and green. But whatever the finish of granite you get, its versatility is highly favored because it can complement various backsplashes and colors of cabinets.

One might understand how granite countertops are perfect for any household. Now, let’s look at thick granite countertops:

3. How Thick Are Granite Countertops?

The most popular option for granite thickness was 2cm, but the trends in the kitchen shift all the time. Today, thicker countertops are available for homeowners to choose from. Let’s have a look at the thickness options homeowners have:

• 2 Cm Granite Countertops

As per today’s standards, the average thickness of granite countertops is 2 cm. Before the advent of thicker surfaces, it served as the industry standard. Granite countertops with a 2 cm thickness typically require extra effort during production as well as installation. Also, they need to be reinforced during installation to prevent drooping or cracking.

• 3 Cm Granite Countertops

Granite countertops with a 3 cm thickness are currently considered to be the industry standard. Due to their increased appeal, many homes now prefer thicker slabs. Since they no longer need to be strengthened with plywood during installation, they also require less labor.

• Thicker Than 3cm Granite Countertops

One can choose granite countertops with a 6 cm thickness if money is not an issue. They could be a striking addition to the kitchen. For a sleeker appearance, one might even think about having an actual sink carved into the surface. However, there are several other ways to make this happen. For example, without adding much weight, a clean seam and mitered edge could give the appearance of thicker countertops.

• 2 cm vs. 3 cm

Because of the extensive labor and expense required for its installation, granite countertops with a thickness of 2 cm have trailed behind in terms of practicality. They require a substrate, which is often added during installation and is a type of plywood support sheet.

On occasion, a second layer must be laminated on top of the substrate in the material’s areas visible from the front to create an edge. Because of the additional work and costs, builders, granite suppliers, and construction companies have shied away from using this thickness.

This is where 3 cm granite countertops have gained popularity because they don’t require the additional support of the extra layer. These high-thickness countertops also provide the environment with strength, refinement, and dependability.

4. Why Does Thickness Matter?

The granite countertop’s thickness has a major impact on two different areas. First, the thickness of the slab will have an impact on the final project cost because thicker granite slabs cost more. Second, thicker slabs are typically thought to be more durable. For example, consider the difference in thickness between, say, thin granite tiles that are around 3/8 inch thick and conventional kitchen counters that are typically between 34 and 1 14 inches thick. If something falls on the thinner tiles, they could get damaged more easily than the heavier ones.

If you have a very busy kitchen and you use your kitchen island for heavy meal preparation, it’s best to invest in thicker slabs that will guarantee you years of service. But if you don’t have the budget for it, you need to ensure that your thinner granite slab will be secured with proper backing, such as drywall, to prevent damage.

5. Factors To Consider When Selecting Thick Granite Countertops

So, exactly how thick should granite countertops be? Well, there are several factors that need to be considered, such as slab installation, the durability of materials, level of required labor, cost, designs, and other aspects.

The decision homeowners make regarding the thickness will directly have an impact on the application of natural stone and how it is going to be utilized. Many architects favor working with a particular thickness which strongly depends on the material’s longevity and ease of installation. The installer will have a say in identifying the advantages and disadvantages of all the available stone options. Still, the thickness and installation preferences ultimately depend on the homeowner’s choice.

6. The Usage

Despite the fact that the two thickness options have a 20–30% difference in material costs, 2cm is typically used for backsplashes or other surfaces that won’t be frequently stressed. This takes 2cm out of the picture, but given the task’s particulars, a qualified architect won’t take a chance on a setup that will lead to the collapse of counters completely.

Granite Countertop Thickness — Conclusion

When renovating the kitchen, the thickness should be the first consideration as it affects the overall design of granite countertops. In a nutshell, thicker countertops cost more as they require more material. But, thinner countertops can cost even more in the long run as they cause issues with durability.

Before getting the heart set on the granite design, consider K&J’S Granite & Quartz Countertops – all the points to make an informed decision and stick to it!