With a mitered edge, the line tends to be hidden on the corner transition. Some of the quartzites are pretty expensive so the 3 cm might cost significantly more (though the fabricator will charge something for the labor of making a laminated edge and probably even more for a mitered edge so that offsets the extra cost of 3 cm unless you go for a 2 cm edge). Our quartzite is laminated, not mitered and the fabricator did a good job so I mostly don't notice the line. Only when I look for it. You don't need to do a laminated edge even if there is plywood under it. Two friends of mine did a 2 cm thin edge. One used a simple trim molding of wood matched to the cabinets to cover the edge of the plywood. The other left the plywood edge uncovered - I know because I put my head under the counter and looked into the shadow for it. If I was doing it, I'd probably cover with a trim piece because it would bother me, but only someone very TKO who looks for it would notice if you didn't.

"I have also been told that 2 cm is rarely used here anymore." and ..."oh, those over there are just 2 cm so don't bother looking at them." Not really. 2 cm is pretty much the standard on the west coast. I live in the very northern part of San Diego County and have been looking at granite for about 8 months. It turns out we live in Granite Yard City; there are at least 6 granite yards within 5 miles of my house and another 8 or so just 30 min. down the road towards San Diego. Lucky us, the closer ones seems to have a better selection. In any case, about 95% of what we've seen has been 2cm. The place I linked above is absolutely the exception in offering only 3 cm. In the end, our choice was made because we liked this outfit's work, not the thickness of the stone. There are benefits to each choice, but personally, I could readily go either way. I did see a 2 cm quartzite I loved, but it was pricey (!) and we would have needed 2 slabs to be sure there was enough to cut for the extra thickness on the edge. sigh The place we went with charges per square foot and they keep the leftovers. Had the quartzite people offered that, we would have seriously considered it. 2 cm or 3? Don't worry about it, just find one you like.

"Seek and ye shall find; ask and ye shall receive." Ten hours ago I posted " Plywood is incapable of applying constant upward pressure on a sink as straps on sinks do. And replacing the sink would be a nightmare." Well I went to work and my nightmare has come true. This sink, undermounted in 2cm stone, is supported by plywood and is leaking like a sieve. I don't know when I've seen a worse topical caulk job. A knife slides easily between the sink flange and the bottom of the stone. That leaking is contributing to the failing seam. If it leaks enough to rust a steel reinforcement rod, it can blow the front rail off and crack the rear. There's a dishwasher to the left and a wash machine to the right (small condo) that will have to be pulled so I can Rotozip the cabinet sides to gain access to the plywood so I can remove it to remove the sink. I'll have to patch the cabinet sides back together, install the sink harness or straps, remake the seams, and reinstall the sink and appliances. I'm practically writing my proposal in this post. I can change a strapped sink in an hour and a quarter. I'm going to propose a Kohler K-3942 as an alternative. The appliances could stay, no cabinet alterations, and the existing sink, plywood and all, would be cut out from the top. I won't have to make the front seam either. This bachelor likes stainless steel apron sinks. Wish me luck please. And never, ever, use plywood to support a sink.

Hi All, Thanks so very much to everyone for their help! We finished most of our kitchen (only need the backsplash) and after the helpful debate here on this board, and working with our installer and the granite fabricator, we wound up with an incredible 6 cm, stepped edge counter! Everything fit perfectly, including the stove, dishwasher, etc. I know there were a couple of people here who expressed doubt this was possible or would work out very well, but after doing the math on my own, listening to the more supportive comments on this board (thank you!) and speaking with the team here, we proceeded with our dream kitchen counters and it worked fantastically! I spent a ton of time with the shop guys at the fabricator and detailed exactly where I wanted the cuts for the laminated, stepped edge and the average person cannot tell it is a laminated... the granite lines up perfectly and no obvious seam since it is stepped! Have a look and please let me know what you think of the outcome!