The kitchen countertop will give your home a new look, and it’s therefore important to choose the right color, pattern and the countertop finish that suits your kitchen. It’s important to visit several granite companies and check the several countertops finishes available and choose the one that will cater to your needs and bring out your style. Make sure you review the materials available at the quartz countertop dealer and determine which one works for your kitchen. When choosing a countertop below the consideration, you need to make;

• Color and pattern you want

There are different tones and hues, patterns to choose. Make sure you choose the one that will work for your house. You can consult the granite contractor on the best color and patterns for your countertop.

• Type of countertop material that suits your kitchen

Do you want a granite countertop, quartz countertop or marble? Discuss your countertop needs with the granite installer and choose one that works for you

• Countertop edge that will work for you

There is a different kind of countertop edges. If you have a family make sure you choose the edge that will not harm your young children as they move around the kitchen.

• Top finish and feel

There are different kinds of countertop finish, and in this article, we delve deep and tell you about them.

Types of Countertop Finish

• Polished Finish

Polished finish is one of the most common finish, especially on granite kitchen countertops. It’s one of the most common countertop finish and most people tend to go for this finish. It gives the countertop a gloss, reflective and smooth feel and it’s one of the finish you will find it in most homes. A polished finish has the following advantages

• It makes the countertop less porous, and the smooth nature of the finish makes it easy to clean. A polished finish is therefore ideal for a restaurant or high traffic kitchen.
• When the countertop is polished, it’s easy to see the color and character of the stone. The highly reflective mirror surface will make your kitchen look more elegant and luxurious.
• A Polished surface is more stain resistant and doesn’t require sealing often.

The granite installer makes a polished surface through honing and buffing which is grounding the countertop with smooth abrasives until it becomes shiny. When well maintained the countertop will be shiny for years, and if it loses the shine, the honing and buffing process can be repeated. To keep your countertop looking shiny for long make sure;

• Clean the countertop often with the right materials. Seal the countertop when necessary
• Avoid using abrasive cleaning materials on the countertop

A polished finish will make your countertop the center of attraction, and it’s, therefore, important to make sure you complement it with other appliances and other surfaces.

• Honed Finish

It’s also known as the matte finish, and it’s smooth and creates a satiny feel. When the surface is honed, it will not reflect but will redistribute light and give your kitchen countertop a rustic beauty. A honed surface is made by buffing, but it’s not made to shine. A honed surface will conceal any flaws on the countertops. With a honed finish, you will not be able to see the color and texture of the countertop, and it stains easily.  A honed finish works better on marble countertop because it retains the veining and contrast in the marble. The main disadvantage of a honing a kitchen countertop is that the color of the countertop may fade.

• Leathered Finish

A leathered finish will bring out the natural characteristics of the stone. The finish is created using an abrasive diamond brush and results in a texture that resembles leather. The leather finish doesn’t reflect any light and gives the countertop a more natural look. The finish is perfect for high traffic kitchen because the leathering process seals the pores of the countertop and its nonreflective nature conceals the flaws. If you have an outdoor countertop the leathered finish is perfect. To keep the countertop looking good, use a cloth and a cleaning agent to clean the surface daily. It’s ideal for dark granite countertop because it retains the color of the stone. A leathered surface highly stains resistant and hides imperfections.

• Flamed Finish

Just like the name suggest a flamed finish is created by exposing the countertop to extreme heat. The high heat levels cause the countertop grains to burst and change color results in faded appearance. A flamed finish is perfect for an outdoor kitchen. The only natural stone that can be flamed is granite.

• Caressed Finish

Caressed finish is created by adding shine to a leathered finish. Areas that have bumps on the countertop are polished to give your countertop an elegant and a rugged surface. Caressed finish is perfect for granite countertops because it seals the pores of the countertop

There are other finishes such as river washed and Tuscan which is mainly decorative.

Visit the quartz -granite installers Rockville and consult on the best finish. Make sure you choose the finish that will suit your kitchen. Follow the care procedure as instructed and you can enjoy a beautiful countertop for ages.