Besides choosing the stone itself, part of the excitement of selecting a new granite countertop is deciding on the surface finish. The finish you choose can dramatically change the stone’s appearance. For example, you can add a bit of desired shine or even create a matte look with some character. To learn more about choosing the correct surface finish for your granite countertops, continue reading.
GRANITE COUNTERTOPS
Natural stones like granite are known for their robustness and their variety of colors and textures.
When choosing a granite countertop, you want to take into account:
- Usability: Do you prepare and cook a lot? Will your family sit around this countertop to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner?
- Aesthetic: What does the rest of your kitchen look like? We recommend finding countertops that your kitchen can be built around in color scheme and aesthetics if you’re doing a complete remodel. However, if you’re only looking to replace your countertops, you’ll want to find a suitable material that will match the rest of what you’re working with.
- Durability: Did you know that granite is right behind diamonds in hardness. That’s right! If treated properly, this type of countertop can be resistant to staining, heat and scratches.
- Maintenance: Our team seals every granite countertop we install correctly. While this material is durable, it is also porous, meaning if your countertops aren’t appropriately sealed, liquid or food spilled can mean a lifetime of frustration.
Homeowners have used granite countertops in their kitchens for years. And today, granite remains a preferred choice for homeowners and homebuyers alike. According to a 2019 report from the National Home Builders Association (NAHB), 58 percent of homebuyers desired granite or natural stone countertops in their kitchens.
Natural stones, like granite, are known for their strength, durability and wide variety of colors and textures. Granite comes in hundreds of colors, and each slab of the material is unique, providing a one-of-kind look to your countertops. Furthermore, granite is stain-resistant, heat-resistant and scratch-resistant.
USING GRANITE OUTSIDE OF THE KITCHEN
Besides using granite in the kitchen, there are some additional ways you can incorporate this beautiful and low-maintenance material throughout your home. Check out some of our favorite ideas by reading our blog, Using Granite Outside of the Kitchen.
GRANITE COUNTERTOP SURFACE FINISHES
The granite countertop surface finish you choose can completely transform your granite, and it also allows you to add a bit of your style to your countertops. There are different granite countertop finishes, but the most common are polished, honed and leathered. Rarer kinds of finishes include caressed and flamed.
POLISHED
The most commonly used and familiar type of granite finish is polished. This finish makes the granite look glossy with a mirror-like appearance. A polished granite finish is one of the easiest to maintain and keep clean and with proper care, it will continue looking great for years to come.
HONED
Similar to its distant relative polished, a honed finish is exceptionally smooth. What differentiates this finish from polished is that it is not reflective, yet it gives off a matte or satin appearance. Honed is an excellent selection if you want a polished finish’s clean and sleek look but aren’t a fan of its reflectiveness. Honed finishes are also more prone to staining, so they will require more maintenance over time.
LEATHERED
If you’re all about texture, the leathered granite finish is for you. Declared a more sophisticated look, this newer style of finish adds delicate depth and dimension to your space that will show off the natural elements of your granite stone. While it may be a little more difficult to wipe down, the texture does a good job of disguising fingerprints, water spots and smudges.
CARESSED
If you enjoy the idea of texture but also like some shine, say hello to the caressed granite finish. Similar to the leathered finish, the caressed look is polished on the raised area of the surface. Both elegant and rugged, it will surely be a show-stopper in any home.
FLAMED
Due to its high heat resistance, granite is the only natural stone with a flamed finish. This finish is pretty rare and popular in outdoor kitchens and is not used as often on indoor granite countertops. However, the flamed process is fascinating, as granite is heated under extreme temperatures until the grains in the stone burst, causing them to change color. The flamed finish causes the countertops to be more muted in color, with a rough and faded appearance.
HOW TO CARE FOR MY GRANITE COUNTERTOP AND ITS FINISH
Although granite is highly durable, it is not indestructible. Just like in nature, the edges of rocks are more susceptible to damage. Scratches, cracks and even chips can happen if the countertop is not maintained correctly and with quality materials. However, with proper cleaning, sealing and a few tips from our countertop experts, your granite countertops will provide you with years of making memories with your family!
You may eventually notice etches in the sealer coat of your natural stone countertops. This etching can cause the countertop’s surface to look dull. However, if the surface beneath the sealer coat is in good condition, you can reseal your countertops to bring back their shine.
If your kitchen countertops need resealing, contact Bad Lizard Granite & Quartz. We are the premier countertop supplier and installer in West Virginia. Our team can professionally reseal your countertops with commercial-grade sealant and have them look shiny again in no time.
GRANITE COUNTERTOPS | BAD LIZARD GRANITE & QUARTZ
Granite is a versatile choice for almost any area in your home that will last well into the future. If you have any questions about using granite in your kitchen or want to look at samples and need help finding the perfect material for you, contact our countertop specialists at Bad Lizard Granite & Quartz at 304-472-6483 or info@badlizard.com. Our team takes pride in helping our customers find the stone option that best fits their wants, needs and budget.
Additionally, each week, on our Facebook, we feature new slabs we get in. So follow us there for countertop material inspiration!