How worktop thickness affects the look, the strength and the price — and how to choose between them.
Most stone worktops come in 20mm and 30mm. The difference is partly practical and mostly aesthetic. 30mm reads as more solid and traditional; 20mm looks sleeker and more contemporary. Both are strong enough for a normal kitchen when installed correctly.
A 30mm edge gives a chunky, substantial, high-end feel that suits classic and shaker kitchens. A 20mm edge looks lighter and more minimal, which sits well in modern handleless kitchens. Neither is right or wrong — it's about the style you're going for.
If you want the slim surface of 20mm but the presence of a thick edge, the edge can be “mitred” — a strip is bonded underneath so the visible edge looks 40mm or more while the surface stays thin. It's a popular high-end detail. Equally, a 30mm slab gives you that presence without extra fabrication.
Both thicknesses need proper support underneath, especially over dishwashers, across joins, and on any overhang for breakfast bars. Longer unsupported spans and overhangs may need 30mm or additional support regardless — we'll advise based on your layout when we template.
30mm uses more material, so it typically costs a little more than 20mm in the same design, and a mitred edge adds fabrication labour. The difference is usually modest relative to the whole job. Tell us the look you're after and we'll quote both if it helps you decide.
Thinking about new worktops? We supply and fit quartz, granite and marble from our Sheffield workshop, across South Yorkshire and UK-wide. Get a free quote or call 0114 278 8525.
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