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Here's why the pricey kitchen feature is worth the splurge.

Waterfall countertops are currently all the rage—but what are they, exactly?

While traditional countertops end at the edge of an island or peninsula, waterfall countertops extend past the sides, dropping all the way down to the floor. The contemporary element typically showcases a natural stone, making it waterproof—and unsurprisingly, quite pricey. But the sleek, dramatic look it creates is hard to—well, top.

Wondering if a waterfall countertop is right for your cook space? Here are a few points to consider before you invest in the high-end feature.

A slab of marble, quartz, or granite is typically priced between $75 and $120 per square foot. And that doesn’t include installation (which can tack on another $60 to $100 per square foot)—not to mention the $1,000 to $2,000 fabrication fee, which covers the cost of a fabricator using a computer numerical control laser cutter to miter the edges so that they fit together seamlessly.

All in all, a waterfall countertop will likely set you back close to $6,000—about three times as much as a regular countertop.

In selecting a stone fabricator, it’s important to take into account their level of experience, what type of stone-cutting technology they use, and whether they’re affiliated with any credible stone industry associations (such as the Barre Granite Association or the Marble Institute of America).

Some stone surfaces need to be resealed

For proper maintenance, granite waterfall countertops will need to be resealed twice a year. (Don’t want to bother? Opt for quartz.)

Measuring your own space can spell disaster for your waterfall countertop. Even the slightest miscalculation can cause the seams not to fit together perfectly, causing you to dish out even more.

It’s not right for every kitchen

Waterfall countertops look best in contemporary-style kitchens and might appear out of place in more rustic or traditional spaces.

A waterfall countertop can be fashioned out of a number of materials that are more affordable than natural stone, including concrete (which would cost about $250 for a 3-foot by 5-foot island). There’s also wood, which will set you back roughly the same amount, depending on the type of timber. Both wood and concrete are DIY friendly—so you can also save thousands on installation costs if you’re up for the challenge.

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