You might only see countertop thickness as a cosmetic issue. Some thick or thin countertops just might not work for the look of your home, but it’s a bad idea to judge a countertop by thickness alone. Thickness has a lot of benefits for your countertop, and you need to make sure that you know about those benefits. Before we delve into the benefits of countertop thickness, let’s take a look at some of the mistaken beliefs people have when it comes to the thickness that needs to be debunked.
First, thinner is not always better, and often most of the thinner materials are made from materials that are low quality and won’t provide a lot of protection for your countertop.
Also, thicker is not always better. In some cases, thicker countertops might not be able to absorb impacts as well. Thickness or thinness by itself isn’t an indicator of how durable the countertop is, but instead you need to look at compactness. That’s a much better indicator about durability.
You can also do the scratch test and see if the counter gets roughed up or scuffed by impacts, and that is also a good indicator of how durable the quartz countertop is. Don’t be fooled into looking at the extreme options, and discounting everything else.
There are three types of counter thickness that you will find at the store, and if you are a first time buyer, you need to know them.
The Three Counter Thickness Types
1-1.2CM
This is the thinnest available option, and while in most cases it is too thin to support traditional countertop use, they are often used in prefabricated countertops. These countertops have a laminated edge, and are pre laminated and pre polished.
Often, these slabs come from overseas and are a pretty fast and cheap option. However, they are also very fragile and have limitations on size and color, and won’t be of much use on countertops.
2CM
Two centimeter countertops are found in prefabricated options, but are also found without the laminated edge. The thinner profile is still thick enough to be usable, while providing you with a high end look for a low cost. Additionally, 2CM quartz also does not need plywood support the same way that granite does, so there’s less support and less cost.
3CM
The thickest countertop is also the preferred thickness for quartz countertops, and it gives you a lot of flexibility and durability. It also retains the various customization options that quartz has for you as well. For 90% of counter situations, the 3CM is the best choice for you, and it provides a lot of strength. Perfect for kitchen and bathroom countertops!
What Does It Affect?
So now you know that 3CM thickness is the best for your quartz countertop, but why? What will that do for you and your kitchen? Well, a 3CM countertop can handle heavy weights. If you are a big fan of putting large pots and pans filled with food onto the countertops to rest while your family fills itself up, then you will certainly enjoy the extra weight support.
It might not seem like weight does a lot for your counters, after all, you aren’t putting anything heavy enough to shatter the quartz on the counters. However, every bit of weight provides pressure and that pressure can mess with the floors underneath the counters and kitchen islands.
Additionally, the 3CM countertop affects what type of edging you can use to finish the look off. More options are available for the thicker profiles, and this applies to customization options as well. You’ve certainly got a lot to choose from whenever it comes to 3CM countertops.
Look At Your Space and Budget
Another thing that some beginners forget about is that the space they are in affects what type of thickness they will need. Quartz countertops are typically inside of bathrooms and kitchens, and both of those rooms have a unique aesthetic to them. Bathrooms typically need 2CM materials because you don’t need to make a statement or draw focus within a restroom.
For kitchens, you need to have your quartz countertops making a statement. People focus on a thick countertop and do so more if it’s a nice and central place in your home. Put some 3CM materials onto your kitchen island and then see how fast people gather around it!
You also will need to take a look at the budget. Not only does the size of your countertop come into play whenever you need to pay for your work, but also the thickness of the materials involved. 3CM thickness is a bit more expensive than 2CM thickness, and that will impact the cost of the project.
Make Sure To Look and Ask
Most contractors and hardware stores will allow you to take a look at samples and examples of different countertop thicknesses. If they are asked and informed of your situation, they can give you their professional opinion and help walk you through the situation. If you are a beginner to the world of quartz countertops, then you need to take your time with this research phase.
You don’t want to waste money and time on a bad counter job because of ignorance. Make sure to connect with the right people and ask the right questions before buying.
Hopefully your task of figuring out the countertop thickness for your next project is a lot easier, and you can go into the world of quartz countertops with a bit more support. Above all, if you get a thickness that looks good and is functional, you have everything you need for your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else you might be installing counter tops.
Also read: 5 Low Maintenance Kitchen Flooring Options
