From coarse through matte and fine, granite finishes have individual features, and knowing about them allows you to choose your countertop finishes based on durability, beauty, and simple maintenance.
Aside from their luxurious appearance, various granite countertop finishes work as important selling points of your home whether you prefer a modern look or a classy appearance.
Overview of Granite Finishes
What are the different finishes for granite? A granite finish is a surface treatment applied to the granite surfaces which results in specific texture and look. Based on the treatment, the appearance can be polished, honed, leathered, brushed, etc.
Overall, choosing between various types of granite countertop finishes has a massive impact on your kitchen design. Each granite finish is suitable for particular interior styles and functional purposes.
Polished Finish
If you would like to add sophisticated details to your kitchen, consider a polished finish. With its smooth and glossy surface, the natural stone appearance comes into the spotlight making the entire area more elegant. The appearance is achieved through grinding and buffing to the desired results. However, the polished look is quite slippery, so it isn’t a good option for flooring and high-traffic areas.
Other than its elegant appearance, it is one of the most common types of granite finishes installed for its benefits:
- Simple maintenance
- Excellent stain resistance
- Reflective surfaces
- Versatile use
- Enhance the home resale value
A polished granite finish is excellent for kitchen countertops, bathroom surfaces, and other areas where you want to improve visual interest.
Honed Finish
Compared to other finishes, a glossy finish might look dated or tacky in certain kitchens. So, the excellent alternative is a honed granite finish, with a smooth and matte finish, achieved through grinding.
Matte finish is excellent wherever you need a softer look, such as flooring, high-traffic areas, and kitchen countertops.
The benefits of a honed finish include:
- Subtle and soft appearance, suitable for different designs and styles
- Excellent slip resistant
- Scratches and etchings aren’t as visible as on some other finishes
- Natural appearance
- Excellent durability
The disadvantages we mention include the frequent need for sealing and the dull appearance of dark granite surfaces.
Leathered Finish
Leathered finish is excellent in kitchens made in rustic style, because of its rough appearance which goes well with other natural materials, wood for instance. It is a newer style and a combination of honed looks modified with diamond-tip brushes.
From all types of granite edge finishes, it might be the best for busy kitchens, because of its textured nature which conceals everything, making the maintenance simple and appearance beautiful all the time.
Other benefits include:
- Interesting tactile feel
- Stain-resistance
- A variety of applications on outdoor countertops, kitchen islands, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas where you want to hide stains and fingerprints
- Unique, rustic appearance
The cons that may defeat you off this finish include a high price tag, and complex maintenance requirements for specialized contractors to achieve the look perfectly.
Flamed Finish
Homeowners looking to revamp their outdoor areas may choose a flamed granite finish. It is achieved by exposing granite surfaces to high-intensity flame, resulting in a rough and textured surface.
Such rough texture is slip-resistant and gives out natural and rustic vibes. However, a flamed granite countertop is prone to trapping dirt and moisture and may require more maintenance than other granite finish types.
Examples of great use of flamed finish granite include:
- Patios
- Walkways
- Pool surrounds
- Outdoor kitchen areas
Lack of comfort and challenging maintenance are reasons to think twice before you install them in different residential and commercial spaces.
Bush-Hammered Finish
The bush-hammered finish creates a wonderful balance between durability, functionality, and rustic aesthetics. The weathered of your granite surface is achieved with a high-impact machine or by hand, resulting in a pitted, textured surface.
In addition, the rough and pitted surface is slip-resistance and has tactile appearance, adding character to every area where you install it.
Some people prefer bush-hammered finish for outdoor applications, such as driveways and outdoor paving, you may consider it for indoor use as well. But, keep in mind that you’ll have to clean the surface thoroughly as it can easily trap dirt.
Its benefits include:
- Adds rustic vibe to the room
- Non-slip
- Simple maintenance
- Excellent durability and resistance to various conditions, including weather.
Sandblasted Finish
Natural granite is slippery, so technicians apply different techniques to improve it. For example, sandblasted finishes are a result of granite surfaces blasted with abrasive materials, such as sand. Because it is done with an air gun, the result is a uniform appearance and rough and matte texture.
The sandblasted finish isn’t common indoors. Outdoor, you can use it for facades, pathways, walkways, and various garden features to improve slip resistance and add visual interest. Surfaces with sandblasted finish require complex maintenance and cost more than some other granite finish types.
Antiqued Finish
Homeowners with preferences for a traditional appearance and a softer look may enjoy an antiqued granite finish. It is common for kitchen countertops, decorative elements, and backsplashes, to add depth and character to the area.
Antique finish has a unique appearance due to manual brushing and a combination of different techniques. The significant benefits include:
- Unique appearance
- Warmth vibe suitable for traditional and vintage style
- Longevity
The downsides of the antiqued granite finish style bring its porosity and potential for damage in the spotlight. Moreover, fixing the antiqued finish surface will result in an inconsistent appearance.
Choosing the Right Finish for Your Home
Now that you know what are the different types of finishes for granite, explore factors that will help you pick the best one for your home.
Consider Aesthetics
Is your home decorated in a minimalistic style, traditional, or a modern blend of styles? What do you want to achieve with a countertop? Do you want it to become a focal point or to blend well into the atmosphere?
Consider aesthetic and the desired visual impact and pick the finish that will match those needs. For example, the most common finish for countertops is polished, but it doesn’t blend well in a traditional style kitchen.
Practical Considerations
When deciding on different granite finishes, consider the pros and cons of each and their features. Analyze the:
- Maintenance
- Slip-resistance
- Durability
- Cost
- Use and versatility
Personal Preference
Lastly, listen to yourself when deciding on the finish. If you want to experiment with unconventional applications and combinations, you can discuss it with your contractors who will address the damage potential and achievability.
Consider how you want to use your space, and if you don’t mind high-maintenance countertops or you are more of a laid-back kitchen user who prefers the surface that conceals everything!
Conclusion
To create the space you’ll enjoy spending time in, you have to consider every detail, including, layout, furniture, material, and finishes. With granite, you have plenty of options that will blend well in different interior designs.
A polished look may be the most common but leathered, flamed and other varieties are becoming trendy because they allow you to explore different visual effects and practical applications.
FAQ
What are the most common granite finishes for kitchens?
The most common types of granite finishes are glossy and honed finish for kitchen countertops, because of their proven performance and versatility.
What factors to consider when choosing the granite finish for my countertops?
Granite finishes have different features, so compare them for slip-resistance, durability, maintenance, suitable application, and cost if you want to evaluate the expected performance of each finish.
Which granite finish is the most difficult to maintain?
The flamed finish has a unique appearance but might be quite challenging to maintain due to the rough texture which captures dirt and particles. Heavy scrubbing may damage the surface, so you have to be extra careful and thorough when cleaning it.
Can I modify the granite finish after installation?
Yes, you can apply various techniques such as brushing, sanding, honing, polishing, and sealing to transform the granite finish and change the entire look of your countertops.
