The edge for a 2cm should not have a line, for a 4cm the edge should be mitered so that you don't notice a seem.

Maybe the line I am seeing at the top is that mitered edge, then.

This is natural stone but here are a few pics of what I mean.

Thank you! Those are mitered? I can't even tell! Maybe it is something that is more obvious in person but it was pretty easy to notice on the edge sample the guy showed me. I will try to find a picture of what I am talking about and see if it is the same as you have shown here. Thanks again!

This is of a Quartzite counter but try googleing "silestone mitered edge" there are lots of pictures

I just wanted to make absolutely sure that silestone 2cm with 4cm edges didn't look like the below pics of the same concept but with granite.

another example of what I do NOT want. Am I understanding correctly

that the quartz 2cm with 4cm edge would not look like these examples

So, you're talking about the piece added on, and/or the glue seam? I think that's because most counters are about 1" thick or less. to give the illusion of a thicker counter (and also like it's wrapping around the edge) they glue on a skinny piece to "thicken" it. kind of like trim.

there's no way to get the patterns in the two pieces to line up perfectly. but if you go for something that has a really low contrast pattern, it won't be very noticeable.

the next issue is the glue that's used. I have an ugly granite counter in my bathroom, and the glue is yellowed. not sure what kinds of adhesives to ask for to avoid that problem.

there might be other vendors who can offer quartz type countertops created without gluing on an edge. perhaps call some other stores and ask?

as for bullnose vs. rounded, etc. see diagram below. the current trend with modern / contemporary designs favors the "flat eased" edge. bevel, bullnose, etc: personally I don't like the look, but it can work ok in a more antique or classic style kitchen.

BF Yes, I am trying to find out if that is the way the quartz is done but Massey Interiors explained that it would be mitered so it shouldn't look like the pics I posted. I prefer flat eased as well, which is why I am having a hard time because I have been reading here on houzz and I am reading over and over again that those chip badly. I don't want chips for sure either.

Why use 2cm Silestone? He's showing you what he works with, can he order 3cm instead?

Skippack, yes he can but he kind of had me convinced that it wouldn't look any different at all and would save money so I was like, hey why not.

I think you have your answer, you saw his work and what the result would be.

Skippack, I actually haven't seen any installed by him. I have heard he is the best in our town though. Those pics I pulled from google. The edge samples I saw had a line at the top of the edge, but it didn't look like those pics I posted, it looked like it was a line on purpose as a design. I was trying to find out if all silestone edges had that line initially. Now I am realizing, maybe that was the mitered edge? I guess I just need to look at it again with a better eye and ask him.

Why not ask to see some of his work? He should be able to get pics of the different edges that he has done and will probably have pics of the exact edge you want. Also, any edges can chip, nothing is indestructible.

I know that, but I don't want to be " asking for it" by getting a really chip prone edge. With all the negative stuff I keep reading it is getting harder and harder to pull the trigger on my first granite or quartz kitchen. It is so much money to get something that sounds less durable than formica. I am sure I am reading the worst cases but it is just all over this website and I am getting discouraged. I did call him just now and he said the line at the top is just made by the machine, the piece that is glued on is in the middle. A line could show. On his example I couldn't see anything in the middle but it was probably because of the pattern of that particular piece.

oh, I think I know what he's talking about. the join line might be like the diagram below? in that case, the seam won't be as noticeable provided the glue doesn't yellow with age.

as for mitered edge: that's the slight rounding or slight beveling so a corner is not perfectly sharp. it will definitely help make it less chip prone. it's subtle, and honestly I think looks fine with anything modern or contemporary. it still reads as a square edge when you step back.

other Houzzers correct me if I'm wrong: but the picture below is a mitered edge, correct?

BF that is what I started to think, but when I called him just now he said no, the join line is right in the middle of the 4cm and is just glued on. He said it is usually hard to tell but that sometimes you can. The line at the top that I thought might be it, is apparently just an additional line made by the machine for some reason..

I found this online. So it appears the middle one is the one he says he always does. I am not sure I would like this. Has anyone gone this route and what are your thoughts?

He laminates up the edge; do you prefer the slightly thicker look? What are the savings compared to using 3cm? Will your sink be under mount?

Skippack, sink will be under mount. I do like the 3cm thickness but not sure I want to risk being able to notice it is glued on. I am afraid that will look cheap and am scouring the internet for examples but I may just need to go 3cm to be safe. the difference is $15 per sq ft.

also, if you look closely, this photo of a helix silestone counter looks like it has the glued edge. if that's the case, it might be less noticeable due to the grain of the pattern running horizontally. but it might be more noticeable in real life.

the only thing I can tell you is to try to see if you can find a full size counter like that in real life. maybe go to other cabinet/counter stores and see what they have on display? or ask other installers to bring you samples of their work. get a second and third opinion. don't just go with what the first guy shows you.

BF I don't see a line in the middle of that one at all, if that is what it would look like I would be fine with it. I am planning on going to the Silestone showroom maybe I can see an example there.

You can look at a ton of photos, but none will be from your installer; I would not go down that rabbit hole. The reason I asked about the sink is that it's not likely to be laminated, and the finished edge would be 2cm there.

Hmm. so it is possibe it would be noticeably different.

Massey that is what I am worried about. Going to have to suck it up and do 3cm lol. That is what I was planning before he presented this option anyway. But when I let him know I probably would want to do 3cm I kind of got the impression that he thought it was silly. He mentioned he has been doing it this way for years and it has never bothered anyone, but he said of course, it was up to me.

Thank you everyone for all your help! I now know I definitely need to go with 3cm and just need to decide between silestone helix, and lg viatera minuet