While you may have made the decision to go with granite for your new countertops, you may now be faced with yet another decision: honed or polished? Both have their benefits and drawbacks, so let’s take a look at each so you can make a more informed decision.

Polished Granite

Polished granite is known for its shiny, glossy finish. It’s a common option for kitchen and bathroom counters because the sheen brings out a spectrum of colors that complements the overall design of the room.

Once the stone is polished, it gets darker with richer colorings and a more reflective surface. It’s easy to match polished granite with any style, and it offers an elegance and classic appeal that can’t be beat.

Typically polished by the fabricator before installation, this doesn’t mean that granite can’t be polished after installation if the homeowner has a change of heart. You will have to re-polish your granite countertop every five to 10 years, depending on usage and damage. While you could do it with a variable speed buffer, it’s best to hire a granite installer in Ashland to do this for you.

Honed Granite

Honed granite is essentially the opposite of polished granite. Featuring little shine, honed granite has a satin or matte look. Honed granite is not as dark as its polished counterpart, with less contrast in the coloring.

While still classy and elegant, honed granite offers a more subtle look than the polished version.

If you want to get technical, all granite is polished. When first extracted from the earth, the stone’s surface is rough. But honed granite isn’t subjected to as much fine grinding and buffing as polished granite is. Both honed and polished finishes are flat and smooth.

How to Decide

There aren’t many differences between the two when it comes to durability and maintenance. Both are strong and scratch resistant. However, honed granite is more porous and needs more frequent sealing depending on usage, wear and damage.

Polished granite shows blemishes more readily due to the fact that the gloss can get worn down over time, especially in areas of damage. Both honed and polished granite are excellent choices for countertops, provided you give them the proper maintenance and care.
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Many homeowners make a decision based on design preference, with most people going with the polished version. It matches the most home styles, from farmhouse to modern. But if you have a rustic kitchen, for instance, you may want to go with a honed surface.

Contact Granite Guy

If you need help deciding between honed and polished granite, give us a call. Our Sherborn granite installers would be happy to outline the pros and cons of each. To get your free quote and consultation, contact us at 508-460-7900 today.