When we shopped for granite we learned that 2cm isn't really much cheaper than 3cm and in some places is less common so can be more expensive! I saw beautiful granite for around $40 a square foot installed, all-in. how much is the 2cm you are looking at?

I have 3cm and think it looks nice and thick, EXCEPT on my bar top-it is mounted slightly higher than the rest of the counters and looks thin, I wish we doubled up the edge. 2cm would look awful there!

I have used 2 cm in both of my contemporary-leaning kitchens. I think it depends on the style of kitchen you are designing. If you're going for that luxe-trad look, then maybe thicker is better. More modern... go with the streamlined look of 2 cm.

We had a 2cm island top in our pre-reno kitchen:
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We re-used it as a fireplace surround and in our powder room, below:

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I never noticed it looking thin when it was a kitchen counter. But now that we have 3cm in the kitchen and other bathrooms, I do like the chunkiness of the thicker granite. However, that's just personal preference. If getting 2cm instead of 3cm means the difference between getting granite or not, I think I'd go for it.

Around here, 2cm granite counters have a laminated outside edge, making it appear to be twice as thick. Sometimes the seam at the edge is noticeable and sometimes not. Depends mostly on the stone and partly on the edge detail.

Hi beachbum...

I was concerned about that too...but I ended up using it in my kitchen and in my bathroom. I was very pleased with how chunky it looks! The 1/4 round edge I chose gives it a very thick look. Here is a couple of shots of my bathroom vanity.

KA:)

Amy--great looking kitchen!

i got 2 cm quartz and made it appear thinner by having it beveled on the underside.

In another kitchen I saw a 12' length of 2cm with 1/4 round edge. Looks perfectly fine.

hth

2 cm is very "in" for contemporary kitchens with counters that do not overhang the cabinets. They are flush with the cabinet.

Yeah, I do that too....just about no overhang. Makes the contractors crazy! :-)

Thanks sabjimata. It was a fun kitchen. Looking back, I no longer care for the color of the counters, but the rest was pretty great. Ultra functional. I miss it.

2 cm is standard here, and 3 cm looks chunky.

Thanks for the thoughts. My kitchen is not contemporary. So I'm not really sure it's going to give me the look I want. I do like the idea of laminating the edge. That could definitely be an option, so thanks for sharing.

It is common to use 2cm granite on top of plywood and then a laminated edge here where I live (California). I've had it done that way in two homes.

I don't know that I even came across any 3cm granite when I was shopping locally. I know you can get it (someone I know did), but we were looking for a large slab for our 10' island and were already limited in our choices.

Here's a photo:

2 cm also requires at least plywood for support under the stone.
3 cm can hold itself up just fine over the depth and width of cabinets.

If you're going to get a square laminated edge, you can have it mitered so that the seam doesn't show.

2cm only requires plywood if you feel it does, or if someone else who is important feels this need. I've seen lots of 2cm without plywood, installed by Italians who know stone and whose families "know stone" for generations. I've seen them make tables out of 2cm and give it no support. Once you start trying to "be safe" you will do lots of extra steps. Plywood is a good one. Another good one is 3" radius corners for your sink cutout.

2 cm with granite express a wholesale stone supplier with several locations on the atlantic coast is normally $1 per square foot less on the wholesale price to fabricators. what makes 2cm cheap is when the public finds a company that will sell it to you at the same price as the fabricators pay and you cut and install yourself. Otherwise the price should be pretty much the same if you hire it out per say.