30

Jul

Polished Vs. Matte Granite Countertops: Which Finish Is Better?

Getting granite countertops isn’t as simple as you thought it would be. If you think that everything ends at color and pattern selection, then you’re mistaken. That’s because you need to choose a finish too, among other things like edging, thickness, etc. Here is everything you need to know about the two popular granite countertop finishes: polished and matte.

A Comparison Between Polished And Matte Granite Countertops

Appearance

You need to know about the appearance of these two finishes. If there are two very popular finishes of granite, then they are polished and matte finishes and they each have their own merits and demerits.

Polished Granite Countertops

When it comes to polished surfaces, they have a very reflective and almost glossy finish. This is something really common with granite countertops. People just love the glossy and reflective finish and it also makes their kitchen as well as their countertops look bigger and brighter, which is amazing.

So, if you love the look of polished granite, then this is something you can try and see if it is for you.

Matte Granite Countertops

Matte finish, also known as honed finish, has its uniqueness in its muteness. You might think that matte granite countertops can look very flat and they’re just not it, but that is far from the truth.

There is a lot more character to matte countertops and the honed and matte finish let the stone shine in all its beauty, which is amazing and exactly what you want. If you want a stone that looks naturally beautiful, then this finish is what you want to go for.

Porosity

The next thing you want to know about both of these finishes is how porous they are and how it can affect the performance in the kitchen.

Polished Granite Countertops

When it comes to polished granite countertops, they are sealed with the finish. Granite is naturally reflective, but it is enhanced a bit more when it comes to polished or glossy finishes and a layer of glossy and protective coating is slathered on the surface. This kills two birds with one stone.

It doesn’t just give the countertops a very glossy and reflective look, but it also makes the countertops less porous. Since granite is a natural stone, it is considered to be porous, so this extra layer of protection does a lot of work for you.

Matte Granite Countertops

Honed or matte granite countertops are naturally more porous than their polished counterparts. That is because the upper glossy surface of granite is buffed off and nothing is applied to retain the matte finish of the countertops.

This is what makes the countertops more susceptible to stains and getting moisture marks all over the surface. You should seal the countertop which is required to keep the slab waterproof and stain-proof.

Resistance In The Kitchen

The next thing to go over is the longevity in the kitchen and this has to do with how each finish sustains heat and other forms of damage.

Polished Granite Countertops

Polished surfaces can be protected by applying a layer of sealant on top and this doesn’t just make the countertops glossier, but it can also help with making the countertops non-porous.

As for heat stains, granite is already quite heat-resistant on its own, so there is no need for you to protect it from high temperatures in the kitchen, because it does a pretty good job on its own.

Matte Granite Countertops

Matte granite countertops need to be protected from water even though they are also sealed. When sealing, you should get your hands on a matte sealant, because protecting the countertops from water should hold priority.

As for heat resistance, matte countertops can hide the damage more effectively, because the surface is not reflective and light doesn’t bounce off as easily as compared to glossy surfaces, which is a huge plus.

Maintenance

This is probably the most important bit to go over, because even though everyone loves granite, it is something that requires a lot of maintenance and you don’t want to spend all of your time on taking care of the material.

Polished Granite Countertops

Polished granite countertops are at an advantage. Thanks to their glossy surface, you don’t need to worry about water damage. The upper glossy coating is protective and it doesn’t let water get into the material and cause damage.

However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to take steps to ensure that the glossy coating stays put. You need to reapply it over time to retain the glossy finish.

Matte Granite Countertops

As for matte granite countertops, this is something that can be a bit of a problem for a lot of people as it needs more maintenance than polished granite. That is because the surface is matte so it’s not as easy to clean and wipe. You will need to clean spills quickly to avoid stains even when you have a sealant applied.

This is why you want to ensure that you’re taking good care of matte granite countertops, as this will ensure that they stay in pristine condition. This includes sealing the surface every year or so.

Cost

As for cost, this can be variable, depending on where you are and what finish is readily available.

In some cases, polished granite countertops are less expensive than matte granite countertops, but the situation can also be reversed. The real cost is that of the granite slab itself so the price varies depending on granite’s quality.

This is why you want to ensure that you’re visiting a trusted and tried-and-true retailer that will give you the best material at the most reasonable price.

Popularity

This is a very person-specific factor, because there is a huge majority of people who prefer one finish over the other.

Polished Granite Countertops

People usually love the fact that polished granite surfaces are low-maintenance. But the glossy finish also has a dark side and that is the fact that it can make the imperfections on the surface more prominent.

Anything that can reflect light off its surface will put a spotlight on the imperfections like scratches, divots, and stains and that is not ideal.

Matte Granite Countertops

There is a huge group of people that adore this finish and the main reason is that the true beauty of the natural stone is in the spotlight. Sometimes, polished granite can really put a damper on the stone’s own beauty and unique design, but when it comes to matte finishes, you can leave the stone to shine in all of its glory and people love this.

Of course, the maintenance part is exhausting, but some people don’t mind it. So, it’s literally up to you to decide whether you want to go for one finish or the other.

 Conclusion

Polished and matte granite countertops have a very different look and they are loved by people with different tastes. So, if you want to get your hands on a certain finish, then it’s best to go through this guide. You can also get in touch with granite contractors Rockville to know more about these two finishes and other types of granite finishes.

11

Feb

What Are Leathered Granite Countertops?

You might be familiar with granite countertops, but leathered granite countertops, this might be something you haven’t even heard of before. Here is what you need to know about this variant of granite countertops.

What Is Leathered Granite?

Granite countertops are available in a variety of finishes. Granite can be matte, shiny, polished, honed and the list goes on. But what’s with the leathered finish? Well, granite also has a very rustic finish that is similar in appearance to polished granite, but instead of being smooth on the surface, it has a lot of texture. There are dips, divots, holes, and small hairline “cracks” that add to the beauty of the stone.

Leathered granite is kind of like a hybrid between a polished and textured granite surface. You might think that it will look weird or disproportionate, but the look of leathered granite is to die for.

Leathered granite is a treat for the eyes and because it is a textured surface, it is more likely to prevent stains from becoming permanent, which can be a huge issue with honed or matte granite countertops.

So, if you’re on the lookout for a granite finish that will save you from the burden of maintaining it, then leathered granite is worth a try.

How Is Leathered Granite Made?

A lot of people ask this question. Is leathered granite naturally like this? Is it made to have divots and holes? What’s the process? Well, for starters, yes, leathered granite is made to look like this.

Granite that is naturally found inside the Earth’s surface is smooth, but not “polished” per se. If a manufacturer wants to make leathered granite, they will have to polish and grind the surface of the granite to make it slippery and smooth.

Afterward, there is special equipment that is used to make divots on the surface of the countertop to give it some texture and turn the super slippery surface into something with a bit more friction.

So, a great thing about leathered granite is that it isn’t as polished as other granite surfaces, so fingerprints, smudges, and dirt stains won’t be an issue.

As the surface of granite is textured, you can also get away with not cleaning it as frequently and if you’ve used traditional glossy granite countertops before, then you would know how demanding they can be when it comes to maintenance. So, leathered granite countertops are a good choice for people.

Things To Know About Leathered Granite Countertops

Now that you know what leathered granite is and how it’s made, here are some things to know about these countertops.

It’s Durable

It’s granite, so of course it’s going to be extremely durable, but there is an added layer of robustness because of the textured surface. Leathered granite countertops are very strong and they don’t normally chip or crack under pressure, weight, or even high heat.

Also, the textured surface prevents heat stains and it distributes the heat and weight applied everywhere. So, you better believe that these babies are going nowhere for a long time no matter what you put them through.

No Worries Of Scratches

Scratches are a big hassle, especially if the surface is shiny and polished. Somehow the scratches are even more pronounced and it can be quite embarrassing to notice those blaringly obvious scars.

However, with leathered granite, there’s not a single thing that you need to worry about when it comes to scratches. The textured and divot-dotted surface of leathered granite is a blessing in disguise and it helps conceal most kinds of minor damage on your countertops. Even though some people might not like the look of textured granite, it is versatile when it comes to camouflaging imperfections.

It’s Less Slippery

If you paid attention in science class, then you would know that slippery surfaces normally don’t have friction at all. That means that things can slip and slide freely. On the other hand, textured surfaces tend to have friction and they’re amazing for gripping things.

Well, this is exactly the difference between polished granite and leathered granite. Yes, people love polished surfaces more, but leathered granite is a lot more efficient when it comes to friction. Liquids and moisture will not drag along the surface, rather the droplets will bead up, making clean-up a whole lot easier. So, textured surfaces aren’t as bad now, are they?

Divots Can Be A Problem

As amazing divots can be, they can also be a bit hard to clean. Since divots and cracks are dipped into the surface like small holes and bowls, it can be hard to simply clean the surfaces with a washcloth. This is why a brush will be needed to scoop up the dirt and debris from the crevices.

If you leave the dust and spills in the crevices, then the countertops can appear a bit dirty and with darker colors, the difference will be clear as day. So, when it comes to cleaning these countertops, you may have to take a few more steps.

It Can Be Expensive

Granite is already quite an expensive material, but leathered granite surpasses that limit as well. You might think that textured granite would be less expensive, but since leathered granite is treated and manufactured in a certain way, it runs a bit higher in price as compared to its polished and honed counterparts.

When purchasing leathered granite countertops, you need to keep in mind that you’re paying for the texture and the qualities accompanying it. It is a different material and if you think about it, leathered granite is worth the splurge.

It’s Easy To Maintain

Maintenance is synonymous with granite. There’s no doubt that granite is a wonderful material, but the amount of maintenance it requires is just a bit too much to handle. However, leathered granite will save you from this ordeal as well.

Given its textured and slightly polished surface, leathered granite doesn’t need to be polished, waxed, or treated with any solution. You just need to take care of the cleaning of the divots and reseal it once in a few years. There’s also no need to invest in specialty cleaners as some good ole detergent and water work perfectly for everyday cleaning. However, cleaners made for granite surfaces can be helpful.

You Need To Seal It

You’re going to have to seal leathered granite. Granite is a porous material in general, but leathered granite is a lot more vulnerable to water damage because of its textured surface. You will need to reseal leathered granite countertops frequently (every 1-3 years) because normally in the first round of sealing, some spots can be easily missed and you’ll need to go over them again.

This is probably the only “maintenance heavy” thing that leathered granite demands and besides, sealing the countertops will only make them last longer, so it’s a win-win situation no matter what.

Conclusion

Granite is already the most popular countertop material. And then there is leathered granite. It’s not something you’ll want to walk past. It’s a material worthy of having the spotlight in the kitchen. Check with granite companies Rockville to know which leathered granite textures and colors they are offering.