Pick the right edge for your slab. Each profile changes how the countertop looks, feels, and holds up over time.
The edge profile is the shape of the front and sometimes the top of your countertop. It’s not just about looks, it affects how easy the countertop is to clean, how safe it is for kids or sharp corners, and how much wear it shows over the years.
We template, cut, and polish every edge in our Austin shop. You see the actual slab before we start, so you know exactly what the finished edge will look like. No surprises, no substitutions.
Below are the six profiles we do most often, what they mean for daily use, and how to decide which one fits your kitchen or bath.
A straight vertical front with the top corners knocked down to a soft radius. No extra fabrication steps, so it’s the simplest and least expensive. The eased edge is easy to wipe clean and doesn’t collect crumbs, but the flat front can chip if you drop a heavy pot on it.
A small angled cut, usually 45 degrees, along the top or bottom edge. The bevel gives a modern look and helps hide small chips, but the sharp corner can still catch on clothing or scratch skin. It’s easier to clean than a bullnose because there’s no rounded groove to trap dirt.
A full half-circle front that rolls from the top to the bottom. The rounded shape is safe for kids and won’t snag, but the curve can collect dust and spills if you don’t wipe it right away. Bullnose is classic and hides small imperfections well.
An eased edge is a straight vertical front with the top and bottom corners sanded to a soft, rounded corner. There’s no extra shaping, just a slight break to avoid a razor-sharp edge. It’s the default profile for most rental-grade slabs because it requires the least fabrication time.
A bevel edge adds a flat, angled cut along the top or bottom edge. The angle is usually 45 degrees, but we can adjust it to 30 or 60 if you want something sharper or softer. The bevel creates a clean line that works well with modern or minimalist designs, but the corner is still sharp enough to catch on sleeves or skin.
Bullnose is a full half-circle that rolls from the top to the bottom of the front edge. It’s the safest profile for families with kids or high-traffic kitchens because there are no sharp corners. The downside is that the rounded groove can trap crumbs, grease, and spills if you don’t wipe it down right away.
After you pick the slab, we template your cabinets with a laser. The template includes the exact edge profile you chose. We load the template into our CNC saw, which cuts the rough shape of the countertop. Then we move it to the edge-polishing line, where diamond grinding wheels shape the front and top edges to the profile you selected.
For eased edges, we run the slab through a single grinding wheel that softens the corners. Bevel edges require a second pass with a tapered wheel to cut the angle. Bullnose, ogee, and mitered edges take more time, each one needs multiple wheels and hand-polishing to get the curves smooth and even.
We do all the shaping in our Austin shop, so we can adjust the profile if you change your mind before fabrication starts. Once the edge is polished, we seal the stone (if needed) and load it for installation. The whole process is done by the same crew that templates and installs, so there’s no handoff between shops.
Eased edges are the easiest to clean because there are no grooves or angles to trap dirt. A quick wipe with a damp cloth removes most spills, and the flat front doesn’t collect crumbs. The downside is that the flat edge can chip if you drop a heavy pot or pan on it, especially with softer stones like marble or dolomite.
Bevel edges are also easy to clean, but the sharp corner can be a problem if you have kids or if you’re prone to bumping into things. The angle helps hide small chips, but if the bevel is too steep, it can feel uncomfortable to lean against. Quartz and quartzite hold up well to daily use, but softer stones like marble can show wear on the bevel over time.
Bullnose edges are the hardest to keep clean because the rounded groove collects dust, grease, and spills. If you don’t wipe it down right away, the dirt can dry and become difficult to remove. The upside is that the rounded shape is safe and comfortable to lean against, and it hides small imperfections in the stone better than a flat edge.
Start with how you use the kitchen. If you have kids or elderly family members, a bullnose or eased edge is safer because there are no sharp corners. If you cook a lot and want something easy to clean, a bevel or eased edge is better because there are no grooves to trap dirt.
Next, think about the stone you picked. Harder stones like granite, quartzite, and quartz can handle any profile, but softer stones like marble or dolomite are more likely to chip on a flat or beveled edge. If you chose a soft stone, a bullnose or ogee edge will hold up better over time.
Finally, consider the look you want. A bevel or mitered edge gives a modern, sharp appearance, while a bullnose or ogee feels more traditional. We can show you samples of each profile on your actual slab before we start fabrication, so you can see how the edge affects the color and pattern.
Call or email to set up a slab viewing at our Austin slab floor. You’ll walk the floor with one of our crew members, pick the actual slab you want, and decide on the edge profile at the same time. We’ll measure your cabinets and give you a straight quote that includes the edge, sink cutout, and installation.
If you’re not sure which edge to choose, we can bring small samples of each profile to your home so you can see how they look with your cabinets and lighting. There’s no charge for the samples or the quote, and we’re available seven days a week.
Once you approve the quote, we’ll schedule the template, fabrication, and installation. The whole job is done by the same crew, so there’s no miscommunication between shops. We’ll give you dates in writing with the quote, and we’ll call the day before to confirm the install time.
$38 per square foot, cut, measure, and install included. Jobs over 1,000 square feet: $30 per square foot.
Sink cutout and sink set are included in the fabrication work. Non standard work is still quoted before work begins. Send the rough square footage and the rooms involved, or call (512) 297-7493 for a straight quote.
Eased and bevel edges are the most durable for hard stones like granite and quartzite because the flat front resists chipping. Bullnose and ogee edges are safer for softer stones like marble, but the rounded grooves can trap dirt and make cleaning harder. No edge is indestructible, even the hardest stone can chip if you drop a heavy pot on it.
We can change the edge profile before we start shaping the slab, but once the grinding wheels touch the stone, the profile is locked in. If you change your mind after fabrication starts, we’ll have to re-cut the edge, which adds time and cost. That’s why we show you samples on your actual slab before we begin.
Yes. Eased edges are the simplest and least expensive because they require the least fabrication time. Bevel, bullnose, ogee, and mitered edges take more time and use more diamond grinding wheels, so they cost more. Call for a straight quote that includes the edge profile you want.
A mitered edge is a thick, built-up look created by gluing two pieces of stone together at a 45-degree angle. The downside is that the seam can be visible, especially on lighter or more uniform stones. The glue line can also collect dirt if it’s not sealed properly. Mitered edges are best for darker or heavily patterned stones where the seam won’t show as much.
It depends on the stone. Granite, marble, dolomite, and some quartzite are porous and should be sealed, regardless of the edge profile. The edge is just as porous as the top, so if you seal the countertop, you should seal the edge too. Engineered quartz and most porcelain don’t need sealing, no matter what edge you choose.
Tell us the rooms, the rough square footage and what you have in mind for countertop edge profiles. You get a number for the whole job, in writing, before anyone cuts anything.