The Best Kind Of Countertop Edges For Homes With Children

The kitchen is the center of the household and sees a lot of foot traffic, especially in homes with young kids. Parents know that when children are involved, safety needs to be the top priority. Unfortunately, big pieces of furniture can pose a hazard for kids as they are growing up. A kitchen countertop could be an accident waiting to happen with its sharp edges that poke out right around a child's head or eye level.

Most modern kitchen countertops today are typically seen with straight edges. These allow the countertop to look symmetrical as it is cut at a perfect right angle like that of a freshly cut piece of stone. While the edges are sanded, they are typically sharp and can definitely cause pain if a child collides with it — while pressure to the edge can cause it to be chipped or damaged. Luckily, there are a variety of different countertop edge styles on the market that can be requested to keep safety top of mind.

A bullnose edge is the safest choice for a kid-friendly kitchen as it is the most rounded countertop edge style. It is fully curved along the top and the bottom leaving no sharp or pointed edges. Another feature that makes it safer is that the bullnose edge is smoothed, making it much more forgiving than a rigid corner.

Selecting a bullnose edge could also help with the product's longevity in the home. According to Kitchen and Bath Center, rounded edges actually add more strength to the countertop as they are less likely to chip and fade over time. This makes the countertop appear newer in the kitchen space for a longer amount of time.

Half-bullnose edges are also available. These edges are only rounded on the top and the bottom is flat and straight. The curved top provides a more forgiving edge to anyone leaning up against it. Homeowners often select this edge because it appears thicker than a bullnose edge while still including a rounded top.

Families with kids that have grown and are no longer at risk with a sharp countertop edge may opt for upgrading to one of the many other edge styles. Eased edges closely resemble straight edges but their corners are slightly more rounded. This does make the edges less sharp, but they are still very dense. They still point outward and are harder to avoid, and they are less likely to chip if they are impacted. Beveled edges also have a lesser angle than a straight edge as the top edge is cut at a 45-degree angle. But more angles mean more pointy parts that children can get hurt from, so it should only be chosen for kitchens that won't be seeing young kids.

Ogee countertop edges are great for homeowners that want a decorative kitchen because they are artistic and intricate. An ogee edge creates the appearance of an "S" shape in the edge itself. They give the illusion of more texture and dimension as part of the edge dips while the rest is popping out towards you. Double ogee edges with an extra curve are also possible to create. But ogee edges are likely to be more expensive because of their high level of difficulty. And for homeowners who want a truly one-of-a-kind edge style, custom edge types may be worth looking into.