How Thick Are Slate Countertops

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Deciding the thickness of a stone is an important decision as it will affect the functionality and style of your kitchen or bathroom. Homeowners need to take several questions into consideration.

How often will the countertop be in use?

What is the difference between thick and thin slate countertops?

Which thickness is the most affordable?

These questions are often things a homeowner may not be thinking of when looking at the thickness of slate countertops, but they are pivotal for their long-term care and maintenance.

That is why we are going to help you answer these questions, and more so you can speak with our fabricators about how thick you want your slate countertops to be.

Why is Thickness Important with Slate Countertops

Thickness is important with slate and all types of stone countertops. The different thickness levels of slate will determine how durable and reliable it will be for your home.

How Options Does Slate Come In

On average, slate countertops can be installed in 3 different sizes. Each size has its own strengths and weaknesses that must be considered before installation.

½ inch (1.27 cm)

This sized slate countertops are considerably thin. They look very appealing in a modern kitchen with few accents and decoration, but they have a risk of easily chipping or breaking if heavy objects are placed on them.

1 inch (2.54 cm)

This is the average and standard size for slate countertops. At this depth, slate has its moderate resistances and overall great durability and looks good for any type of interior design scheme.

1 ½ inch (3.81 cm)

This is the thickest size for slate countertops. At this size, slate is heavier to move and install, but looks impressive and can handle active use with heavy traffic in the home.

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Pros and Cons of Thin Slate Countertops

Thin slate countertops may not seem appealing at first, but they have more benefits than one would realize when you understand its structure and composition. That being said, there are a few weaknesses that homeowners should be cautious of when installing thin tiles or slabs.

Pros and Cons of Thick Slate Countertops

Thick slate countertops encompass the average and larger sizes of countertop depth. These countertops are also well balanced with advantages and disadvantages where both should be considered before purchase.

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Factors for Thin vs. Thick

With a moderate understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of thin and thick slate countertops, a homeowner should answer these questions to decide which is better for their home. Keep in mind that the 1 ½ inch (2.5 cm) thickness slabs are the perfect middle range between thin and thick options.

How will the slate be used?

Thin slate countertops are better for less active kitchens and infrequently used spaces.

Thick slate countertops can be used for high traffic areas in a kitchen and constant use.

How durable do you want your countertops to be?

Thin slate countertops have some durability to them, but are prone to chipping and breaking if too much weight is placed on them.

Thick slate countertops are extraordinarily durable and can hold various heavy objects without damage.

How much do you want your countertops to weigh?

Thin slate countertops are quite light, making it easy to clean, transport and replace if the need were to arise.

Thick slate countertops get heavier the thicker the slab becomes. Heavier slate countertops are more difficult to clean, transport, and will need support if an overhang is an option for the kitchen design.

What type of style do you want for your kitchen?

Thin slate countertops look nice in chic, clean, and simpler kitchen designs as the countertop will blend into an elegant border to divide spacing.

Thick slate countertops look amazing for fancy and sophisticated kitchen designs that want to embellish flourishes with a premium or laminate edge.

How much can you afford?

Thin slate countertops are more affordable for families on a budget.

Thick slate countertops are more expensive, with the thicker materials being the most expensive to install.

Conclusion

Slate countertops can range from thin, average to thick sizes. Each size has its own benefits and weaknesses and will account for a lot of extra work and upkeep when they are installed.

It is suggested to install the average size thickness of slate for countertops because it has the perfect balance of thin and thick countertops in 1 simple size. However, these options are always up to the homeowner to decide.

Why you can trust Marble.com

When it comes time to get the job done, our fabrication and installation teams have the equipment and expertise it takes to get your project cut and delivered the right way, every time. We at Marble.com are known for our incredibly quick turnaround, as we understand having countertops and other mainstays installed quickly and properly is important to our customers. We value your time, and our goal is to create the best work possible and have you enjoying it as possible.

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