Not to sound snarky, but one is thicker than the other. The 2cm usually has a built up edge to make it appear thicker, but upon close inspection you can see where it's bonded if the grain of the stone doesn't matchup.

Having said that, I don't think the majority of home buyers would notice or care.

Well, I'm a single female so I also must not care very much, according to that post. But really, I've been reading this forum for a while now and you get to see people's personalities. With some people, not to slam anyone, I mostly laugh at some of the things they say.

You have to take the good and leave the rest.

You are so right, beccamj! I am finding myself obsessing more and more because I read these forums too much, but I have to remember that there are only a handful of people (including myself) that even respond. I have to stop worrying so much about the remodel and just be happy! I've had granite before in our last home, and it was Antique Labrador, an exotic ($1600 for one slab alone and now they are more, I hear) and I'm sure it was 2 cm because no-one said a thing to me. I remember it had the double bullnose "laminated" I guess is the word, making it look thicker. My contractor just called, and he didn't even sell us the granite, and he said that 2 cm is the norm because 3 cm can cause problems with the cabinet install, and that the double bullnose will give the same look as the 3cm would. No-one's going to walk up and inspect my granite! I don't do that at anybody's home, that's for sure! I'm sure, though, there will be several people that will disagree, and that's okay!

catheemivelaz, I think you just need to take some deep breaths. Really. Breath out slowly. Three deep breaths, slooowly now.

OK, if you are referring to the post about 2 cm vs 3 cm granite, did I miss it? I didn't see where anyone said anything about people not buying houses over this. Was it under another topic? If it really bothers you post a link to where you saw that. Then we can address the specific situation being addressed by that person. Second, anyone can say anything. That doesn't mean they are right or even if they are right, that it applies to your situation at all.

It used to be that the price of 2 cm vs 3 cm was about the same because the 2 cm involved the materials and labor of isntalling plywood unmderneath, the 3 cm cost more but didn't need the plywood so in the end they ended up about the same. It was mostly a geographic issue, California I think was almost all 2 cm, the east coast you could only find 3 cm.

If you want a thicker edge and like the looks of the laminated 2 cm edging or it ends up being significantly less expensive for you get that. If you can get the 3 cm for a similar cost, or don't like the laminated edges, or would just rather put more money into the granite and not pay for the plywood isntall, then get that.

Seriously, don't freak out over what one person says that you have never met and who was addressing someone else, and who has no knoweldge of your situation.

Sue

There is no right or wrong when it comes to that sort of thing--on the east coast, the southern NY area at least, 3 cm appears to be the norm, while on the west coast, 2 cm seems to be more widely available. With the 2 cm granite, laminating the edge would then be personal preference (some prefer the beefier look of a laminated edge, while others lean towards a slimmer edge, which to their eye might look more contemporary).

We have 3 cm granite--that's what was available at the yards near us (southern NY state-northern NJ). Our kitchen is contemporary and we chose an eased edge. We're quite happy with it.

FWIW, a dear friend of ours has had granite in her kitchen before it was widely used and it looks as beautiful and as "current" today as it did the day it was installed--about 19 years ago. Her granite is very thin (especially by today's "standards"); probably thinner than 2 cm. Her edge is a true straight edge, no easing, and while you can feel some slight chipping in some spots, they are not readily apparent to the eye.

She did use thicker granite for some more recent work done in other areas of her home, but her older counters look no less nice by comparison. I highly doubt the thickness of her kitchen granite (or lack thereof) will prevent her from selling her home.

Great response Sue.

acath:

Yes, these boards can be confusing when you read everyone's comments and advice about this, that and the other.

I never knew there was a difference in granite thickness either under I researched. I did learn that 3cm is not available everywhere and is more common on the East coast.

It's true that when 2cm is used, the cabinets have to be built up by 1/4"-1/2" or so to get the common counter height of 34". Usually plywood is used to build it up with the 2cm granite sitting on top of that. 3cm is thicker and therefore does not need any build up.

cath...the yard where you purchased should have been able to say
which it was, either 2 or 3.
I live in CA so we mostly saw 2cm, which is what we chose. When they do the
edge chosen, it makes it look thicker. If you look at lots of pics you can
tell which granite looks thicker than others, and a lot of it is due to the
edge from what I can tell. There used to be a great thread showing lots
of pics of different edges, both 2 and 3. Do a search on granite edges.

If you already chose your slabs, I would now be deciding on my edge and
not worry about the rest. You have plenty more things coming your way
to think about...I am almost done so I know of what I speak.

Best of luck, vic

This poster did exactly what we ask and looked up previous discussions related to her question before posting. And it was a thread that was quite general in nature, about 2 cm vs 3 cm, not answers specific to one person's situation. Petra_granite's 1st answer in that discussion doesn't seem negative toward 2 cm granite, but I can understand how the last comment posted there is confusing and can be taken in a negative light. Reading it, I can see where Cath got her impression and her questions.

But as others have said, Cath, it's just one person's comment, and the answers here and others in that older thread should help you. Take heart and forge ahead. It does get confusing, but in the end, you have to do what works best for you. Best wishes and have fun with the process, and, especially, the result!

Please, also, feel free to share your questions, frustrations, and confusions (and accomplishments!) in the future. That's what we're here for. :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread on 2 cm vs 3 cm granite

When you think about it, 3 cm is 50% thicker than 2 cm. Your eye can pick up the difference. 2 cm is less than an inch thick, about 3/4". I had one of these fabricated for a bathroom sink top and it's fine. But for a kitchen 3 cm gives a more substantial look. It's kind of arbitrary, I guess, but it seems to be the norm.

No difference in selling price of your house between 2cm or 3cm. Someone's *** are getting all bunched up :) Go with what is affordable in the color you want.

The problems with the cabinet install mentioned by cathee's contractor probably have to do with the weight of the stone--a 3 cm. slab is much heavier than a 2 cm. My slab is 2 cm. but the laminated (or 'built-up') edge is 4 cm. Isn't that the norm for a laminated edge? Mine doesn't seem particularly thick. As far as the seam goes, you can only see it if you put your nose right up against it.

Information overload is common round here: we see so many things we like and are subjected to so many different opinions, it's very easy to loose track of your own taste.

i agree with oruboris......most of the time, i just stuck to my gut regarding the kitchen remodel. i also think most people are trying to be helpful.... sometimes the written word can come across differently than when spoken. i've gotten in trouble a few times with email being taken as a way i didn't intend!!!!!

and you are also right that we start to obsess during this process!!!

That's one of the "charms" of this forum...you'll get many opinions and alternate solutions to the same problem. It's your renovation, and it's your responsibility to do the research and ultimately make your own decisions. I agree with gglks...go with your gut instinct in the end.

Regarding the 2 vs 3 argument...if you have a laminated or added edge, then you can save a bit by going with 2 cm, since the constructed edge will be 3 cm or wider for a finished look. If you have a flat edge with slight bevel or rounding, then you'll probably want to go with a 3 cm thickness, since that is what you're looking at from the side (with no added bullnose or thick edging).

We used 3 cm for our quartz counters, but then went with 2 cm for the 4" backsplash against the wall so it wouldn't look too thick. I wanted a clean no-bullnose edge for a simple and modern look. I probably could have saved a bit with 2 cm, but then I would have had to add the price of built up edging. It's all in the math, what your budget allows, and look that you want.

We're all opinionated in here and we all think we're experts. And we all have different tastes. I learned early on to weed thru the massive amount of information, and I greatly appreciated all the tips and experiences that were shared. Some I could apply to my own renovation situation, and some I had to ignore.

Sue, thanks for the advice...I actually starting doing the breathing you suggested as I was reading your post! It helped!
Sally, when I was checking out granite on the pics to see if I could "see" a difference, I assumed your granite was 3cm! So that sold me that our 2cm (which I had no choice since the yard only had 2cm) is going to be beautiful and I'm getting excited!