Complete Edge Profile Guide
This complete edge profile guide walks you through the process step by step.
An edge profile is the shaped contour applied to the exposed edges of a countertop slab. The profile determines the countertop's visual style, affects pricing, influences durability, and defines how the counter feels when you lean against it. With over a dozen standard profiles and unlimited custom options, edge selection is one of the most impactful design decisions in a countertop project - and one of the most common sources of specification errors.
TL;DR
- Edge profiles range from simple (eased, beveled) to ornate (ogee, dupont) with pricing from $0-25+ per linear foot
- Eased edge is the most popular choice (50-60% of residential projects) due to its clean, modern look and low cost
- Simple profiles (eased, beveled, pencil) are more durable because they have fewer fragile points
- Ornate profiles (ogee, dupont, waterfall) cost 3-5x more in fabrication time and material
- Edge profile errors are a top-5 cause of customer complaints and remakes
- Always confirm edge selection against the signed contract before fabrication
- SlabWise tracks edge specifications per job and verifies them during template processing
Standard Edge Profiles
Eased Edge
Description: A flat, squared-off edge with the sharp 90-degree corners softened (eased) to prevent chipping. The easing is subtle - a tiny round or chamfer on the top and bottom edges.
Appearance: Clean, modern, minimal. The most contemporary look available.
Pricing: Usually included in base material pricing (no upcharge)
Durability: Excellent - the simple shape has no fragile protrusions
Best for: Modern kitchens, commercial applications, quartz countertops
Market share: Approximately 50-60% of residential kitchen countertops
Beveled Edge
Description: A 45-degree angled cut along the top edge, creating a visible flat bevel that catches light.
Appearance: Slightly more decorative than eased, with a visible line where the bevel meets the flat surface.
Pricing: $3-8 per linear foot above base
Durability: Good - the bevel angle is less prone to chipping than a sharp edge
Best for: Transitional kitchens, adding subtle visual interest
Half Bullnose
Description: The top edge is rounded to a semicircle while the bottom remains flat (squared).
Appearance: Soft on top, structured on the bottom. A popular middle ground between modern and traditional.
Pricing: $5-12 per linear foot above base
Durability: Very good - the rounded top resists chipping
Best for: Transitional and traditional kitchens, family kitchens (child-friendly)
Full Bullnose
Description: Both the top and bottom edges are rounded to form a complete semicircle - the edge looks like a half-cylinder.
Appearance: Soft, rounded, traditional. Visually makes the counter appear thinner.
Pricing: $8-15 per linear foot above base
Durability: Excellent - no sharp points anywhere
Best for: Traditional kitchens, child-friendly homes, bathroom vanities
Pencil Edge
Description: A small rounded curve on just the top edge - slightly more than eased but less than half bullnose. Named because the curve radius is similar to a pencil.
Appearance: Subtle softness without the full bullnose look. Clean and understated.
Pricing: $3-8 per linear foot above base
Durability: Very good
Best for: Modern and transitional kitchens, anyone who wants slightly softer than eased
Ogee Edge
Description: An S-shaped profile with a concave curve on top flowing into a convex curve below. One of the most ornate standard profiles.
Appearance: Elegant, traditional, decorative. The curves create shadow lines that highlight the edge.
Pricing: $15-25 per linear foot above base
Durability: Moderate - the curves create thinner sections that are more chip-prone
Best for: Traditional and ornate kitchens, marble and granite, high-end residential
Dupont Edge
Description: A short vertical section at the top followed by a rounded curve sweeping to the bottom. Creates a stepped, layered appearance.
Appearance: Formal and substantial. Makes the countertop edge appear thicker and more prominent.
Pricing: $12-20 per linear foot above base
Durability: Moderate - the upper shelf area is a potential chip point
Best for: Formal kitchens, granite, traditional homes
Waterfall Edge
Description: Not technically an edge profile - it's a counter that continues vertically down the side of a cabinet or island, creating a "waterfall" of stone from the horizontal surface to the floor.
Appearance: Dramatic, modern, high-end. Showcases the material's pattern on the vertical surface.
Pricing: Priced per vertical piece (typically $500-1,500 per waterfall section)
Durability: Good - but the vertical surface can be damaged by kicks and impacts
Best for: Kitchen islands, high-end modern design
Mitered Edge
Description: Two pieces of stone joined at a 45-degree miter to create the appearance of a solid block of material. Doubles the visible thickness of the edge.
Appearance: Thick, luxurious, substantial. Creates a 6cm or thicker look from 3cm material.
Pricing: $20-35 per linear foot above base (material + fabrication)
Durability: Good - the mitered joint is the potential weak point
Best for: Thick-edge look, modern luxury, islands
Laminated Edge
Description: A strip of matching material bonded to the bottom of the counter edge, doubling the visible thickness.
Appearance: Similar to mitered but with a visible seam line between the top and bottom pieces.
Pricing: $15-25 per linear foot above base
Durability: Good - the bond line is well-supported
Best for: Budget-friendly thickness look, traditional kitchens
Choosing the Right Edge Profile
By Kitchen Style
| Kitchen Style | Recommended Profiles | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Modern/contemporary | Eased, beveled, pencil, mitered | Ogee, dupont |
| Transitional | Eased, beveled, half bullnose, pencil | Ogee, dupont |
| Traditional | Half bullnose, full bullnose, ogee, dupont | Mitered |
| Farmhouse/rustic | Eased, pencil, chiseled/natural edge | Ogee, dupont |
| Luxury modern | Eased, mitered, waterfall | Ogee, full bullnose |
By Material
| Material | Best Profiles | Be Cautious With |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz | All profiles work well | None - quartz machines cleanly |
| Granite | All standard profiles | Very ornate profiles on hard granites |
| Marble | Eased, bullnose, ogee | Complex profiles (marble chips more easily) |
| Quartzite | Eased, beveled, pencil, bullnose | Ornate profiles (quartzite is very hard) |
| Porcelain | Eased, beveled, pencil | Rounded profiles (porcelain can chip on curves) |
By Budget
| Budget | Recommended | Typical Cost (30 linear feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-friendly | Eased (included in base price) | $0 above base |
| Mid-range | Beveled, pencil, half bullnose | $90-360 |
| High-end | Ogee, dupont, mitered | $450-1,050 |
| Premium | Mitered + waterfall | $1,000-3,000+ |
By Practical Considerations
Families with young children: Full bullnose or half bullnose - no sharp edges to bump into.
Commercial applications: Eased - easiest to maintain, repair, and replace.
High-traffic kitchens: Eased or beveled - simple profiles resist chipping from daily contact.
Show kitchens (low daily use): Any profile - appearance priority over durability.
Edge Profile Pricing
Cost Components
Edge profile pricing includes:
- Tool cost: CNC router bits for each profile type ($200-800 per bit, amortized over hundreds of jobs)
- Machine time: Complex profiles take 3-5x longer to cut and polish
- Material usage: Some profiles remove more material than others
- Polishing time: More curves = more surfaces to polish
- Risk premium: Ornate profiles have higher chip/break risk during fabrication
Pricing Table (Per Linear Foot)
| Profile | Typical Upcharge | For 30 LF Kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Eased | $0 (included) | $0 |
| Beveled | $3-8 | $90-240 |
| Pencil | $3-8 | $90-240 |
| Half bullnose | $5-12 | $150-360 |
| Full bullnose | $8-15 | $240-450 |
| Ogee | $15-25 | $450-750 |
| Dupont | $12-20 | $360-600 |
| Mitered | $20-35 | $600-1,050 |
| Laminated | $15-25 | $450-750 |
Edge Profile Errors
Edge profile mismatches are among the top 5 causes of customer complaints. Common errors:
Error 1: Wrong Profile Fabricated
Cause: Miscommunication between sales, office, and shop. Contract says ogee; shop fabricates eased.
Prevention: Track edge specifications digitally from quote through fabrication. AI verification compares the template edge assignments to the signed contract.
Error 2: Inconsistent Profile Across Pieces
Cause: Different CNC operators use slightly different tool settings, or the router bit wears during a long run.
Prevention: Calibrate CNC edge profiles at the start of each batch. Inspect edge consistency between pieces during post-cut QC.
Error 3: Customer Expected Different Look
Cause: Customer selected "bullnose" from a name but expected it to look like "half bullnose" or another profile.
Prevention: Always show physical edge samples during the sales process and template visit. Photograph the selected sample and attach to the job record.
Error 4: Edge Profile Not Suitable for Material
Cause: An ornate profile (ogee) specified for a chip-prone material (certain marbles).
Prevention: Discuss material suitability during the sales process. Recommend simpler profiles for fragile materials.
How SlabWise Handles Edge Profiles
SlabWise tracks edge specifications from quote through installation:
- Quote stage: Edge profile and pricing captured in the quote
- Contract stage: Customer-approved edge profile locked to the job
- Template stage: Edge assignments added to the DXF file
- Verification: AI checks template edge specs against the signed contract
- Fabrication: Edge profile specifications travel with the job to the CNC
- QC: Post-cut inspection verifies edge profile matches specifications
This chain of custody prevents the most common edge errors - wrong profile fabricated and inconsistent profiles between pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular edge profile?
Eased edge accounts for 50-60% of residential kitchen countertops. Its popularity stems from its clean modern look, low cost (usually included in base pricing), and durability.
Which edge profile is most durable?
Eased and full bullnose are the most durable. Eased has no fragile protrusions, and bullnose has no sharp corners. Ornate profiles like ogee have thinner sections that are more susceptible to chipping.
Can I mix edge profiles in the same kitchen?
Yes, but do it intentionally. A common combination: eased edge on the perimeter counters, waterfall edge on the island. Mixing profiles on the same counter run (ogee on the front, eased on the ends) is unusual and typically avoided.
How much do edge profiles cost?
Simple profiles (eased, beveled): $0-8/linear foot. Moderate profiles (bullnose): $5-15/linear foot. Ornate profiles (ogee, dupont): $12-25/linear foot. Specialty (mitered): $20-35/linear foot.
Which edge profile looks best with quartz?
Eased and mitered are the most popular choices for quartz, particularly for solid-color and veined varieties. The clean lines of quartz pair well with simple, modern profiles.
Can edge profiles be changed after fabrication?
Some changes are possible (eased can become beveled by adding a bevel cut), but most are not (you can't add material back to create a bullnose from an eased edge). This is why edge verification before fabrication is critical.
How does edge profile affect maintenance?
Simple profiles (eased, beveled) are easiest to clean - no crevices for dirt or food. Ornate profiles (ogee, dupont) have curves that trap crumbs and require more careful cleaning.
What edge works best for outdoor countertops?
Eased or bullnose. Outdoor countertops face weather, temperature changes, and rougher use. Simple profiles resist chipping from these conditions better than ornate profiles.
Do edge profiles affect countertop thickness appearance?
Yes. A mitered or laminated edge makes a 3cm counter look 6cm thick. A full bullnose makes the counter appear thinner than it actually is because the eye follows the curve rather than seeing the full thickness.
How do I show customers edge options?
Maintain a set of physical edge samples in your showroom (6-8 inch long pieces showing each profile). Bring the most popular 4-5 samples to template visits. Photos don't convey the look and feel as well as physical samples.
Which profiles work best for bar-height counters?
Eased, beveled, or half bullnose. Ornate profiles at bar height are at eye level for seated guests, making imperfections more visible. Simpler profiles look cleaner at this visibility level.
Track Edge Profiles From Quote to Install
SlabWise tracks edge specifications at every stage and verifies them automatically during template processing. No more wrong profiles, no more customer disputes about what was ordered.
Start Your 14-Day Free Trial - edge profile tracking and verification included with every plan.
Sources
- National Kitchen & Bath Association. "Countertop Edge Profile Preferences Survey." NKBA Research, 2024.
- Natural Stone Institute. "Edge Profile Standards and Fabrication Guidelines." NSI Technical Guide, 2024.
- Stone World Magazine. "Edge Profile Trends in Kitchen Design." Stone World, 2024.
- International Surface Fabricators Association. "Edge Pricing Benchmarks for Countertop Fabricators." ISFA Survey, 2024.
- Houzz. "Kitchen Design Trends and Edge Profile Preferences." Houzz Annual Survey, 2024.
- Fabricators Alliance. "Edge Fabrication Best Practices." FA Technical Guide, 2024.
- Marble Institute of America. "Edge Profile Standards for Marble and Granite." MIA, 2024.