Choosing the right granite countertop finish makes of breaks your kitchen or bathroom. Both appearance and functionality are affected by your choice. Leathered granite provides an excellent option for those who want a warming appearance, stain resistance, and customization.
Stone countertop finishes come in three varieties: polished, honed, and leathered.
What Is Leathered Stone?
Most people recognize polished stone from its high-gloss and reflective appearance and honed finishes from their matte and smooth look. However, many homeowners remain unfamiliar with leathered stone.
Leathered stone brings a warming feel to your kitchen or bathroom. Many consider it a chic design element, though it also pairs well with a rustic decoration theme. You can recognize leathered stone by its pebbly texture. In addition, it contains small fissures that give it the leathered look upon which its name is based.
As with other natural stones, the texture varies by the piece, with some surfaces prominently “leathered” while others have more subtle pits and fissures. Unlike polished stone, leathered varieties have no glossy sheen, though they display beauty through many variations.
What Are the Pros of Leathered Stone?
Is leathered stone for you? The answer may be yes if you want to make the stone’s natural color stand out, enjoy a unique texture, value customization options, and need a stain-resistant finish.
Emphasizes Natural Colors
While polished stone may make your countertop shine, leathered granite brings out the natural stone colors like no other finish. The high gloss of polished stone decreases the effect of the natural colors. If you love the color of your selected granite, consider a leathered finish for your countertops.
Unique and Flawless Texture
Leathering is not a natural look. Achieving it requires painstaking labor, where workers brush the granite with diamond-tipped bristles until all imperfections are wiped away, giving the surface its “leathered” appearance. However, natural grooves and contours remain, which helps leathered countertops retain the stone’s natural color. This gives leathered granite its unique texture.
More Customizable Than Other Options
Polished- and honed stone finishes are largely the same. A polished stone shines, and a honed stone is smooth and matted. As a result, there are not many degrees of difference from one countertop to the next.
Leathered finish offers versatility. The leathering process allows for customization based on how much brushing finishers apply. For example, the finish can be rougher or smoother depending on your aesthetic taste.
Stain Resistant
The leathering process also has the often overlooked benefit of increasing stain resistance. The action of the bristles closes the stone pores, which makes them less absorbent. If your kitchen countertops are exposed to foods and liquids likely to leave stains on polished or honed granite, consider a leathered finish.
Cons of Leathered Stone
Leathered stone is not for everyone, despite its many advantages. It requires greater effort to clean and is prone to scratching, making it less ideal for some households.
Hard to Clean
The more textured surface of leathered granite serves as one of its major attractions, but this feature also makes it tougher to clean. Unlike honed granite, leathered varieties have deep grooves in which dirt and dust become easily trapped. For messy kitchens, this can present a problem.
However, there is a solution if you love the look of leathered granite but want it to be easier to clean. If you opt for less texturing, the countertop will be smoother and easier to maintain. To minimize texturing, specify that you want the stone more lightly brushed.
Prone to Scratching
If your countertops are subject to heavy use or you have kids or pets, you may be concerned about them getting scratched. After all, you’ve invested in a beautiful stone, so you want to keep it nice.
Unfortunately, leathered stone does scratch more easily than polished or honed granite. However, you can protect your leathered stone from scratching by applying a scratch-resistant sealant. In combination with proper levels of carefulness, sealants keep your leathered granite looking new.
How Do You Maintain a Leathered Granite Countertop?
Leathered granite does a great job of concealing smudges and stains. Cleaning requires just soap, warm water, and a small hand broom to remove debris from the grooves.
Can Quartz Countertops Be Leathered?
Yes! Though not a naturally occurring stone, quartz can nonetheless look amazing with a leathered finish. Explore your options and see if quartz is more your vibe. You can achieve more than just visual interest with any leathered stone countertop solution.
Leathered granite provides an excellent choice for countertops. The texturing creates a gorgeous appearance, and it resists stains and lends itself to customization. Leathered granite provides an attractive option for homeowners looking to create a unique countertop appearance.
Countertop Installation and Renovation
With so many choices in countertop materials and finishes, guidance from a professional will makes things easier as well as enjoyable. Texas Granite Group has the experience and skill to assist. As a full-service countertop installation and renovation company serving the Austin area for decades, it’s safe to say we know kitchen countertops.
Carrying the highest quality granite and quartz in a large variety of colors, patterns and designs, your options are many and it can all be done right here onsite. Whether you are remodeling your bathroom or kitchen, our process is hassle free and customized. Call us or stop by for a Free Design consultation and see why we are a first choice throughout the area for granite countertops and more!