When it comes to kitchen worktops, thickness matters far more than you might think. It’s not just about the look, it’s about how well it fits into your daily kitchen activity. A thicker worktop might last longer and handle more stress whilst a sleeker, thinner worktop could give your space a more refined, stylistic edge. So if the time has come for you to revamp your kitchen and get yourself some new kitchen worktops, let’s make sure you know exactly what you should be considering for the thickness of your worktops.
Standard Thickness Options
When browsing for kitchen worktops, you’ll commonly come across three standard thicknesses: 20mm, 30mm, and 40mm. Each brings its own set of benefits and traits to the table, helping you tailor your kitchen to meet both your style and functional needs.
- 20mm: Perfect for a sleek, modern look, the 20mm thickness is lightweight yet durable, making it easier to handle and install. It’s ideal if you’re going for a minimalist design or if you have detailed cabinetry work that you want to shine through.
- 30mm: This is the go-to choice for many homeowners. It offers a great balance of strength and aesthetics, providing a robust surface capable of handling heavy-duty kitchen activities. It’s thick enough to make a statement yet refined enough to blend seamlessly into any kitchen design.
- 40mm: For those who want that extra durability and a pronounced, luxurious feel, 40mm is the way to go. It’s particularly popular in traditional kitchens where a sturdier look is part of the overall charm. This thickness is also recommended for larger kitchens as it can withstand more wear and tear over time.
Besides the standard options, there are thinner alternatives like 4mm, 6mm, and 8mm. These are usually perfect for overlay solutions or when you’re aiming for an ultra-modern look that prioritises stylish lines and minimalistic look. These slimmer profiles are often used in very specific design contexts, where subtlety and modernism take precedence over robust functionality.
The right thickness can influence not just the look but also the longevity and functionality of your kitchen worktop. Think about what your kitchen demands and what you want it to say about your home.
Material Considerations
The choice of material for your kitchen worktop significantly influences the best thickness for your needs. Here’s how the properties of common materials like granite, quartz, wood, and laminate impact their ideal thickness:
- Granite: Renowned for how tough and robust they are – granite worktops are often very thick at around 30mm. The thickness of granite worktops helps to fully leverage the natural strength and resistance to heat/scratches that are natural properties of granite.
- Quartz: As an engineered stone, quartz offers versatility in design and therefore thickness. It can be found in ranges of 20mm to 30mm giving you more flexibility to choose based on aesthetic preference without compromising on durability.
- Marble: Marble is typically found at a 20mm thickness and sometimes 30mm. The 20mm variety often leans into the elegance of marble whilst the 30mm variety helps to make up for the fact that marble is more porous and more soft than granite and quartz.
- Porcelain: Due to its incredible flexibility with style, ultra-thin options like 6mm are popular when choosing porcelain worktops. However, porcelain can sometimes be found in thicker slabs up to 20mm. Due to how tough porcelain worktops are, thinner worktops are often a good choice.
- Wood: Wooden worktops add warmth and character to a kitchen and are generally best in thicker dimensions like 40mm to ensure they can withstand the wear and tear of kitchen use while minimising the risk of warping and bending. 60mm+ are also available and are great for rustic kitchens.
- Laminate: Laminate worktops are often available in thinner profiles such as 20mm, which are suitable for lighter use and modern aesthetic preferences. Thicker laminates up to 40mm can mimic the appearance and feel of more robust materials like wood or stone.
Each material brings its own set of benefits and considerations, influencing not just the aesthetic of your kitchen but also the practicality and longevity of the worktop.
Design and Aesthetic Impact
In modern kitchens, thinner worktops are a popular choice. Materials like porcelain and quartz work particularly well at slimmer thicknesses such as 20mm or even as thin as 6mm in the case of porcelain. These finer profiles help create clean lines and a more understated, minimalist finish. Pair them with handleless cabinets or flat-fronted doors, and you’ve got a kitchen that feels fresh and streamlined.
Thicker worktops on the other hand tend to suit more classic and traditional styles. Granite and wood are commonly used at 30mm or 40mm thicknesses, adding weight and character to the design. In rustic kitchens, chunky wooden worktops that are 60mm or more can create a real statement, giving the space a warm, lived-in feel. These heavier profiles work well alongside detailed cabinetry and more decorative features, balancing out the overall look.
If you’ve already chosen your worktop material, that’ll often guide you towards the thickness that looks best. For example, as mentioned earlier, marble in a 20mm thickness really shows off its natural elegance, while a thicker slab adds a bit more presence and durability without taking away from its charm.
If you need help with the design aspect of your kitchen worktops, check out our article on using bright colours.
Structural and Support Requirements
Thicker worktops and heavier materials naturally put more strain on the cabinets below. Granite, marble and chunky wooden worktops can weigh quite a bit, so it’s important your kitchen units are strong enough to handle the load. Most standard cabinets are fine with 20mm and 30mm worktops, but anything heavier might need extra support, especially under larger sections or overhangs.
Thinner materials like 20mm quartz or ultra-slim 6mm porcelain are lighter and don’t usually need much extra consideration. Porcelain in particular is surprisingly strong (even at just 6mm) which makes it a good option if you want something slim without worrying about added weight.
Thicker worktops and heavier materials naturally put more strain on the cabinets below. Granite, marble and chunky wooden worktops can weigh quite a bit, so it’s important your kitchen units are strong enough to handle the load. Most standard cabinets are fine with 20mm and 30mm worktops, but anything heavier might need extra support, especially under larger sections or overhangs.
Cost Implications
Worktop thickness has a direct impact on cost. Thicker worktops use more material, weigh more and often take longer to fit, which all adds to the price. For example, a 30mm granite worktop will usually cost more than the same slab in 20mm, not just because of the extra stone but also the extra work involved in handling and installation.
It’s the same across most materials. Thicker wooden worktops tend to cost more due to the added timber, and thicker laminate options, while still affordable, are priced higher than the slimmer styles. Porcelain is a bit of an exception, as even the thinner options like 6mm are strong and durable, so you’re often paying more for the design and finish than the thickness itself.
If you’re working to a budget, thinner options can keep costs down without necessarily sacrificing quality. Just keep in mind that the savings on the worktop might need to go towards extra support if you’re using lightweight cabinets or adding features like overhangs.
In short, the thicker the worktop, the higher the cost—so it’s worth weighing up whether the extra chunk is worth the extra spend.
Functionality and Practical Use
The way you use your kitchen should play a part in choosing the right thickness. If you do a lot of baking or heavy prep work, a thicker worktop can give you a sturdier surface to work on. Materials like granite and quartz at 30mm or more can handle the pressure of rolling dough, chopping, and moving heavy equipment around without flexing or feeling unstable.
For lighter use, or in kitchens that are more about style than constant cooking, thinner worktops can work just as well. A 20mm quartz or porcelain worktop still gives you a strong, durable surface, but with a more streamlined look.
Thicker worktops often hold up better over time, especially in busy kitchens. They’re less likely to suffer from chips, cracks or warping, particularly with natural materials like wood. Thinner worktops can still last for years with the right care, but they might need a bit more attention, especially if they’re part of a high-traffic kitchen.
It all comes down to how you use the space day to day. If your kitchen is always in action, going for something a bit more solid might be the better option.
Custom Thickness Options
While most kitchens stick to standard thicknesses, there are times when going custom makes sense. Some designs call for something a bit different—maybe you want an extra-thick worktop as a feature piece on a kitchen island or a thinner surface to create a more delicate, modern feel.
Custom thicknesses are also useful when working with awkward layouts or older kitchens where standard sizes don’t quite fit. They can help balance out proportions, create visual impact or solve practical issues, like matching up with existing surfaces or appliances.
Going custom can cost more, and lead times might be longer, but if you’re after something unique or need your worktop to work around specific features, it can be worth considering.
Worktop thickness might not be the first thing you think about when planning a kitchen, but as you’ve probably gathered, it plays a huge part in getting the balance right between how your kitchen looks and how it works day to day. From the materials you choose to the style you’re aiming for, thickness affects everything from durability to design and even how much support your cabinets will need underneath.
Whether you’re after a slim, modern finish or something chunkier with a bit more presence, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It all comes down to how you use your kitchen, the look you’re going for, and what works best with the materials you’ve got in mind. And if standard sizes don’t quite do the job, custom options are always there to help you create something that’s just right for your space.
Take the time to weigh it all up, and you’ll end up with a worktop that not only looks the part but stands up to everyday life too.
