Did you know that you can pick from different countertop finishes? Maybe you’ve never thought about it, but your countertop selection vastly changes when you switch up the finish. It can change the overall look of your space as well as the function and feel.
Granite countertops come with different finishes, each with its own appeal.
The countertop finish you choose matters. It affects how your kitchen looks, how functional it is and how long it lasts. People love granite countertops because they not only look great, but they are also strong, durable and can last decades.
Also, granite is naturally pretty because its comes from nature. So, the finish you choose can enhance and play on the beauty it already exudes. Each one looks and feels different, lasts for different amounts of time, and needs different levels of care.
What does the finish do?
• It changes how much the countertop stains or attracts germs. A smooth finish is better, cleaner because it doesn’t have many places for germs to hide.
• The finish changes the color due to how the light hits the surface. Depending on how the light reflects off the countertop determines how much of its natural design shows.
• The finish can even affect how easily the countertop scratches or wears down. That’s important for how it looks long term.
What are 3 popular choices for finishes?
1.Polished Finish: You see this most and it’s shiny like a mirror. They grind and buff the stone and keep going until it reflects light, making the stone’s natural colors and designs really brighten. It also seals the stone a little, making it resist stains better. But you might see scratches and wear more on this shiny surface, especially if you use that area a lot.
2.Honed Finish: The opposite of shiny, this finish is matte or satin and very smooth. This modest look is achieved by stopping the polishing process before the stone gets shiny. A good way to describe it is that it’s more natural looking and quiet. A honed finish hides scratches and etching better however, you should note that it might stain more because the stone’s pores are more open than in a polished finish.
3.Leathered Finish: This is a fairly new finishing approach that adds texture, creating a soft, pebbly feel. This finishing method makes granite less open to stains than a smoothed-out finish. It does a good job of hiding finger marks and odds and ends and has proven to be an optimal choice for busy kitchens. Who knew?
Do you have an action-packed kitchen?
If your kitchen is like Grand Central Station, the best choice may be a leathered finish. It’s visually compelling and practical, as well as easy to clean. Its textured surface works to disguise finger marks and odds and ends seen in busy kitchens. A place where spills are inevitable, leathered finishes combat stains with ease. While glossy and smoothed finishes have their place, a leathered surface takes the lead mainly because it keeps a tidy and smooth look with fewer visible signs of use in a lively kitchen.
Start with Choosing Countertops
Questions about your how to go about choosing the perfect countertop and finish? Let the countertop pros at Texas Granite Group help! Our Austin area countertop store and installation company has been creating stunning kitchens and bathrooms with the most unique countertop solutions.
Granite, quartz, and marble are the highlights in countertop design, and we’ve got those and more to choose from! Visit our countertop showroom and speak to one of our design and sales professionals about your options for an impeccable countertop replacement that you will love.