Edge profiles
Square edge
A flat, crisp 90° edge with no rounding. Reads as clean and contemporary, and is the most common profile on customer-supplied IKEA and Bunnings worktops. Straightforward to cut and join on site.
Post-formed (rounded front edge)
The laminate is heat-formed around a rounded front edge with no visible join line at the front — a softer look common on older and more traditional kitchens. Needs matching post-formed end caps or careful finishing at exposed ends.
Tight-form
A small-radius rounded edge, tighter than a full post-form curve — a middle ground between square edge and a full post-form look, available in some laminate ranges (see our Polytec page for current tight-form availability).
Thickness
Laminate benchtops commonly come in a standard thickness (often around 20mm on the flat sections) or a heavier-look option (often marketed around 33mm–40mm equivalent, achieved either as solid substrate or a built-up front edge). A heavier-look edge generally reads as a more premium benchtop and can suit larger islands, but adds weight and cost.
Not sure which spec you actually have or need? Send us a close-up photo of the current benchtop edge, or tell us the range/product you're considering — we'll confirm compatibility with joins, cut-outs and your cabinet run before you order.
Does profile affect installation cost?
Sometimes. Post-formed and tight-form profiles can need specific end caps or more careful finishing at exposed ends compared with a square edge, which can add a small allowance — see our pricing guide for how components are costed.