Countertops language
View Countertops Photo GalleriesThere is more to counters than flat surfaces. Here are some words you could hear as you make your choice.
Breakfast bar: A counter that is raised to a height where people can sit at bar-height chairs to eat and drink.
Bullnose: Adding rounded trim to the edge of a tiled surface.
Butcher block: A countertop made of a hardwood such as oak or maple. It is usually used on islands or as an insert somewhere away from the sink.
Drop-in sink: A sink that has a rim that fits over the counter.
Edge return: A thick edge to a counter that gives the appearance of a thicker slab.
Engineered stone: A man-made product made of crushed quartz and polymers to create the look of stone.
Impregnating:The process for sealing stone to prevent dirt, oil, and water from getting into it.
Laminate: A thin material made of paper and resins, and attached to a particle board substrate.
Solid surface: Counters that are made of a manufactured product that simulates stone.
Stone counters: Counters made from natural stone such as granite, marble, or soapstone.
Templating: The process of creating a full-sized mock-up or duplication of your countertop that will be made out of stone.
Templates are commonly made out of strips of wood in a lattice to create the shape.
Under-mount sink: A sink that mounts on the underside of stone or engineered stone countertops.
Vessel sink: A sink with a basin that sits on top of the counter.