subject: Greatr Edges Make All The Difference When Choosing New Counter Tops [print this page] Choosing new kitchen counter tops goes beyond the material you opt for and the color that appeals to you. You also have to think about the edges you want installed to finish them off and complete an elegant and attractive new look.
There is of course the simple, straight squared edge, where everything meets at right angles. many of the counter tops you will find to install yourself , the kind sold at your local Home Depot usually feature straight edges because they are easier for the amateur to work with.Most lower end models also feature straight edges because that does keep manufacturing costs down.
If however you have already plumped for a kitchen counter top made of something like granite or silestone great aesthetics are already obviously very much on your agenda so opting for a different edge makes a lot of sense as doing so will add an extra element of style. Here are some of the more popular options available:
Quarter Round - For this style, the top edge of the counter top is carefully rounded off to create a considerably softer look than straight edges impart. In a double quarter round, both the top and the bottom edges are rounded off. Both styles are popular with homeowners with children in house as those sharp straight counter top edges often give parents nightmares (especially when their points are right at the child's eye level)
A Bull Nose - A full bullnose edge rounds both the top and bottom into an almost perfect semi circle while a demi (half) bull nose leaves the bottom edge straight. Both looks are subtle,soft and very attractive.
Beveled - A beveled edge is a hugely popular counter top edging style that is more than a little decorative. To achieve a great beveled look the edges are carved at various 30 to 45 degree angles all the way around according to the buyers tastes.
The only thing about beveled edges is that they are easy for an amateur to get wrong, so really only can be guaranteed to look good if the person doing the carving really knows what they are doing.A few degrees off here and thereon the angles can ruin the look of the counter top altogether.
Decorative Edging - Edging styles with some rather impressive sounding monikers - the Ogee, the Roman Ogee and the Sharks Mouth - are some of the most elegant decorative edging options you can plump for. The edge of the Ogee is cut into an elegant slanted S shape which is (as you may guess by the name) doubled on a Double Ogee counter top edge.
The Roman version of an Ogee edge is even more impressive. it starts out as a "regular"ogee and then the second curve in the S shaped is carved into a bullnose. As for the Sharks Mouth it resembles its namesake, minus the rows of razor sharp teeth.
