Learn the pro , cons , and design feature article of this voguish countertop option .
Brie Williams
For modern-day kitchen , there ’s nothing quite like the play and simplicity of a falls countertop . “ take a waterfall countertop as the kitchen ’s ultimate style hero , serving both as a operable countertop surface and visually strike focal head , ” says Tyler Thompson , Caesarstone ’s director of brand marketing for the Americas .
Credit:Brie Williams
Although this blank - lined countertop has been democratic for years , there are a few key things to deliberate before choosing the manner for your own distance . Here ’s what the expert have to say about the installation , pricing , benefit , and potential disadvantage of a falls countertop .
Carson Downing
What Is a Waterfall Countertop?
A traditional countertop is a horizontal surface that baby-sit on top of a base cabinet , whereas a waterfall countertop keep go . “ A waterfall countertop is a intent lineament where the countertop continue vertically down the side of a storage locker or island all the way to the floor , the uninterrupted blueprint current resembling a falls , ” pronounce Thompson .
“ In their current iteration , waterfall countertops came into popularity about 10 - 15 years ago , though they have been around much longer , ” say Crystal Hackl , owner and chief designer behindInspired Haven Design . “ They are a nod to the waterfall boundary seen on Art Deco furniture in the ' thirty and ' 40s as well as mid - century modern furnishings , which acquire from curving falls to square edges . ”
It ’s these edges that give today ’s waterfall countertops their key signature striking look . A waterfall countertop is meant to appear as one slab that ’s been bent or folded from the countertop to the floor ; it is the outcome of punctilious tending to detail in the planning and executing . attain the look require on the dot mitered edge : two freestanding pieces of material are abridge at 45 - point angles and installed to appear as a seamless 90 - degree angle on a exclusive piece of material . It also ask the countertop fabric to be aligned to give off a continuous look — for example , marble vein rule that race continuous between horizontal and vertical surfaces .
Credit:Carson Downing
Types of Waterfall Countertops
There are a few variations when it come to the look and trend of a waterfall countertop . A self-aggrandising factor is the number and location of the vertical incline . For example , it ’s popular to have the waterfall side go down both conclusion of an island , but a single waterfall sharpness can be used to total asymmetric drama . Similarly , a waterfall countertop can be fix to the end of a peninsula , or it can cover one or more exposed side of a quarrel of low cabinetry , instead of a finished cabinet panel .
you could also get originative with waterfall distance . “ Most typically , that border extend all the way to the story , but there are some great examples of artful uses that extend down part , as a cutaway model to unwrap another surface that extends to the floor , ” read Crystal .
Waterfall countertops can be made from nearly any surface material , but some work better than others . “ Most normally , we seequartzandnatural stoneused , but nearly every countertop surface can be used to create a waterfall bound , ” says Hackl . “ Wood makes a in particular dominating statement . "
Credit:Jay Wilde
Jay Wilde
Key Considerations for Waterfall Countertops
“ Waterfall countertop create drama , definition , and interest , while also signaling luxury and a modern flavour , ” say Hackl . These middle - watch installation raise kitchens , but their silken look is good suited for modern , contemporary , andtransitional space . " If you prefer a more traditional mode with a detailed buffet bound , or yield corners , you may not palpate at home with a falls countertop , " says Hackl . Deciding if the modern-day , cascade look is a good fit for your kitchen is just one of the constituent to consider when assessing if a falls countertop is proper for your home base .
1. Functional Needs Like Outlets and Seating
“ You ’ll desire to plan the function of the island or peninsula first and foremost and settle whether a falls boundary will support your needs or not before commit to using them in your conception , ” notify Hackl . “ They require more provision and potentially compromises . "
For good example , electrical location can be more difficult with a waterfall countertop . Typically , the non - storage sides of lower cabinets are where outlet would go . However , with a falls countertop , there may be few available sides or locations for position . " The last thing you ’ll require is to put an outlet on your beautiful Earth’s surface ! ” enounce Hackl . Planning ahead is key . “ You ’ll need to include enough exit for convenience and to meet electric codification requirements , and discover a way to keep them off of your waterfall sides , ” says Hackl .
Seating can also be a concern . While a waterfall countertop excogitation can well include anoverhang that admit sit , you ’ll demand to consider if it countenance for the locating and amount of seating room that you ’re hope for .
Credit:Jared Kuzia
2. Material Compatibility
Although a variety ofcountertop materialscan be used to make the waterfall purpose , the material ’s pattern can be a critical cistron . A consistent shape can make it well-situated to reach an uninterrupted flowing look . “ Especially if you want sheer veining , opting for quartz or porcelain offers consistent patterns that can be book - play off to ensure your design flow cohesively down all sides of the waterfall , ” articulate Thompson . “ raw Isidor Feinstein Stone options may present challenge due to variant in veining , potentially disrupt the unseamed flow of the design . ”
You ’ll also want to consider the stuff ’s compatibility with your life style . For model , a waterfall countertop made from a textile that want waterproofing , like natural endocarp , will add another Earth’s surface that requires unremarkable care and maintenance .
The cascade down portion of the waterfall also opens the countertop stuff to bumps , clams , kicks , and other impacts that pass along ground level — but this is really a incentive . " Waterfall edges can provide the strength and durability of countertop material onto the surface below , which tot up a meter of protection from the activity of day - to - twenty-four hour period life story , " says Thompson .
3. Fabrication and Installation
A waterfall countertop is more often than not more complex and nuanced than a convention countertop . The precision required means you need to find professional person who are comfortable and familiar with design and implement a falls countertop . “ You ’ll require a keen fabricator and installment squad to check that the miter joint cuts and border are coordinate well , ” say Hackl , who note that this study is especially critical “ to get good vein placement and alignment ” when it come to Isidor Feinstein Stone patterns .
Structurally , the vertical constituent of the falls countertop can just be a surface along the storage locker , or it can be used as an entire part of the structure by providing support for the horizontal countertop surface as well . “ If the waterfall edge is also acting as a retort accompaniment , you ’ll necessitate to figure out that into the construction design to create adequate strength and support , ” advise Hackl .
Jared Kuzia
How Much Does a Waterfall Countertop Cost?
in the main , waterfall countertop do with a higher terms tag than traditional countertops . Like any countertop , the type of cloth , size , and style feature like boundary thickness impact monetary value ; where waterfall countertops disagree is in the amount of cloth , fiction , and instalment . “ Waterfall countertops do need more material and accurate fabrication and facility , so people should be prepared to invest a bit more for the design , ” says Thompson . “ It ’s all about the extra stuff and craft needed to attain that seamless flow . ”
The workmanship Thompson bear on to include fabrication and instalment , which is more complex than a simple , traditional countertop because it ask precise cutting and alignment to achieve the sleek mitered edge . Estimates typically suggest extra fees of $ 1,000 to $ 2,000 for fabrication work .
Waterfall countertops also require more textile , append to the disbursement . “You’ll require more countertop cloth to plow the additional surface area , plus extra textile to align the veining on pattern surface , ” sound out Hackl . “ Depending on your countertop material thickness and finished edge heaviness , you ’ll ask more material for the mitered edges and manufacturing costs to polish and/or miter the sharpness , ” she adds .
Is a Waterfall Countertop Right for You?
Once you know the fundamental considerations , you’re able to weigh the pros and inmate for your place and lifestyle .
Pros
Cons
“ Waterfall Countertop : Everything You want to Know . ”Caesarstone US , 28 Sept. 2023 , www.caesarstoneus.com/blog/waterfall-countertop-everything-you-need-to-know/.
