The perfect granite countertop finish can really make or break your kitchen or bathroom. Granite countertops are a popular choice for homeowners due to their durability, aesthetic appeal, and versatility among stone countertops. And that finish—the one you choose, whether honed granite or polished ones—will impact both how your space looks and how it functions.
Granite countertops are a popular choice for homeowners due to their durability, aesthetic appeal, and versatility.
While honed granite offers a softer and more organic appearance, it does not achieve the polished finish's high degree of brightness and reflection.
One of the key decisions when selecting granite countertops is the finish, with the two most common options being polished and honed granite. Each finish offers unique characteristics that can significantly impact the look and functionality of your space.
In this article, we will explore the characteristics of honed and polished granite, their advantages and disadvantages, and provide guidance on choosing the right finish for your kitchen or bathroom.
Whether you prefer the sleek, reflective surface of polished granite or the soft, matte finish of honed granite, understanding these options will help you make an informed decision that suits your style and needs.
When it comes to granite finishes, homeowners have a variety of options to choose from, each offering unique characteristics and aesthetic appeal. The most common finishes include polished, honed, leathered, caressed, and flamed granite.
Polished granite is known for its highly reflective, shiny surface that enhances the stone’s natural colors and patterns. This finish is ideal for those who want a high-gloss, luxurious look in their kitchen or bathroom.
Honed granite features a matte or satin appearance, providing a more subtle and understated look. This finish is perfect for those who prefer a softer, more organic appearance in their living spaces.
Leathered granite offers a textured, matte finish that adds depth and character to any room. It’s a great choice for those looking to infuse their space with a bit of rustic charm and timeless elegance.
Caressed granite combines the textured appearance of leathered granite with a slight shine, offering a unique blend of texture and gloss that can elevate the aesthetic appeal of any countertop.
Flamed granite has a rough, natural appearance created by exposing the stone to high temperatures. This finish is less common for indoor countertops but can be a striking choice for outdoor settings.
Ultimately, the choice of finish depends on personal preferences, lifestyle, and design style. Whether you prefer the high-gloss finish of polished granite or the subtle elegance of honed granite, there’s a granite finish to suit every taste.
Leathered granite is one of those finishes. It has a warmth and texture that people just can't resist.
Plus, it's customized and stain-resistant. That timeless beauty is available to any space that wants it.
There are three main finishes available for granite countertops: honed, polished, and leathered. Each one gives the stone a unique look and feel.
Leathered granite countertops have become pretty popular because of their textured surface and sophisticated appearance.
They add depth and character to a room in a way that polished granite countertops or honed granite can’t.
If you want to infuse your kitchen or bathroom with a bit of rustic charm and timeless elegance, leathered granite is a great choice.
Honed granite has a matte or satin finish that is achieved by stopping the polishing process before the stone becomes shiny.
This non reflective finish gives the granite a soft, velvety appearance and feel, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a more subtle look.
Unlike polished granite, honed granite is less reflective, which can help create a more relaxed and understated ambiance in your kitchen or bathroom.
One of the practical benefits of a honed finish is its ability to hide scratches and imperfections, making it an excellent option for busy households.
However, it’s important to note that honed granite requires more frequent sealing than polished granite to maintain its appearance and durability.
Regular sealing helps protect the stone from stains and keeps it looking its best over time.
Polished granite, on the other hand, boasts a glossy, mirror-like finish that is achieved by buffing the stone with fine polishing pads.
This finishing process brings out the stone’s natural colors and patterns, making it a popular choice for those who want to showcase the beauty of their granite.
The highly reflective surface of polished granite, often referred to as polished surfaces, adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any kitchen or bathroom, creating a luxurious and timeless look.
However, polished granite can show scratches and imperfections more easily than honed granite, so it requires regular maintenance to keep it looking pristine.
Despite this, the polished finish’s high degree of shine and the way it enhances the stone’s natural beauty make it a favorite among many homeowners.
Natural stone—like granite—is popular for countertops because it’s a high performance natural stone that is durable and beautiful.
It’s made from the slow cooling of magma deep within the earth’s crust. That process gives it a unique texture and appearance.
Granite is resistant to heat, scratches, and stains, which makes it a practical choice for high-use areas.
Additionally, polished granite offers easy maintenance due to its glossy surface, which is resistant to staining and simple to clean.
The manufacturing process for leathered granite involves running a diamond-tipped brush over honed granite to create that textured finish.
That process seals the stone's pores, making it more resistant to stains and easier to maintain.
The leathering process can be customized to create a variety of textures. Some surfaces will be more "leathered" than others.
You won't find a glossy sheen on leathered varieties. That's because the process involves brushing away imperfections and sealing the stone's pores.
One of the benefits of leathered stone is that it brings out the stone's natural color in a way that other finishes can't.
Polished stone, for example, can make those colors less dramatic.
Leathered granite is also low-maintenance because its textured surface hides smudges and fingerprints.
That means you don't have to clean it as often.
Both honed and polished granite are resistant to scratches and etches, but polished granite is more prone to showing these imperfections due to its glossy finish.
Honed granite, with its matte finish, is better at hiding scratches and etches, making it a practical choice for high-traffic areas or households with children.
However, honed granite is more porous than polished granite, which makes it more susceptible to stains.
To maintain the appearance and durability of both honed and polished granite, regular sealing is essential.
This helps to prevent stains and ensures that your countertops remain beautiful and functional for years to come.
Leathering isn't a natural process. It takes a lot of attention to detail and labor to get that textured finish.
But the result is a surface that's both beautiful and functional.
Leathered granite is particularly suitable for various applications. It adapts well to both aesthetic and practical needs.
And because the leathering process can be customized, you can get a finish that suits your taste.
Leathered granite has a higher stain resistance thanks to the way the leathering process closes stone pores with its bristles.
That makes the stone less absorbent—and less prone to staining from foods and beverages.
If you want to prevent stains on your kitchen countertop, a leathered finish is a great choice—if you seal the surface properly.
When selecting a granite finish for high traffic areas like kitchen countertops, it’s crucial to consider durability and maintenance.
Polished granite finishes are highly resistant to scratches and stains, making them an excellent choice for busy kitchens.
However, their glossy surface can be slippery when wet, which might be a concern for families with young children or pets.
Honed granite finishes offer a matte appearance that is less slippery than polished finishes, making them a safer option for high traffic areas.
While honed granite is more prone to scratches and stains, its ability to hide imperfections makes it a practical choice for households with children.
Leathered and caressed granite finishes are also suitable for high traffic areas.
Their textured surfaces can effectively hide scratches and stains, providing both aesthetic appeal and functionality.
These finishes add a unique touch to any kitchen, combining beauty with practicality.
Flamed granite finishes, with their rough and natural appearance, are not recommended for high traffic areas.
They are highly porous and can be more susceptible to staining, making them less practical for everyday use.
Regardless of the finish you choose, regular sealing and maintenance are essential to keep your granite countertops looking their best.
Proper care ensures that your countertops remain beautiful and functional, even in the busiest areas of your home.
Choosing the right finish for your granite countertops depends on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and design style.
The significance of granite finishes in relation to interior design choices cannot be overstated, as the finish can greatly influence the aesthetics of a space.
If you prefer a more subtle, understated look, honed granite may be the better choice.
Its matte finish provides a soft, velvety appearance that can create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.
On the other hand, if you want to showcase the beauty of your granite and add a touch of elegance to your kitchen or bathroom, polished granite may be the better choice.
Its glossy, mirror-like surface enhances the stone’s natural colors and patterns, creating a luxurious and sophisticated look.
When making your decision, consider factors such as maintenance requirements, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
It’s also a good idea to read online customer reviews and consult with a professional to determine the best finish for your specific needs and preferences.
Ultimately, the choice between honed and polished granite comes down to your individual needs and preferences, and both options can provide a beautiful and durable surface for your kitchen or bathroom countertops.
Cost is where leathered granite really shines. Or, rather, where it really costs more.
The cost of granite stone can vary depending on the finish, with honed and polished granite surfaces having different price points.
The polished granite cost can also vary depending on the type of granite, the size of the countertop, and just how complicated the installation is.
That custom leathering process comes with a higher price point than polished or honed granite.
But what you get in return is a one-of-a-kind look and feel that can really elevate your kitchen or bathroom.
Of course, there are some downsides to consider.
Cleaning leathered stone can be tougher than other finishes—and it can scratch more easily too.
That textured surface traps dirt and dust in its grooves, making it harder to clean.
When considering finishes for a kitchen island, it's important to weigh the practical aspects, such as ease of cleaning and durability, to ensure it complements the overall luxury design.
But with a little extra care and the right sealant, you can minimize that texturing and make leathered granite a practical choice for high-use areas.
Scratches are another concern.
If you’ve got kids or your countertops see a lot of heavy use, you might worry about that.
Leathered stone does scratch more easily than honed or polished granite—but a scratch-resistant sealant can help protect it.
Installing leathered granite countertops requires some serious expertise.
You'll want to hire a professional contractor who's worked with leathered granite before.
They'll measure and cut the granite to fit your countertop area, apply a sealant to protect the surface, and install it using a combination of adhesive and mechanical fasteners.
With the right installation and maintenance, leathered granite can provide years of beauty and functionality.
If you're interested in learning more about leathered granite for your kitchen or bathroom counters, we'd love to chat.
📞 Call us today at 508-460-7900 for a free quote.