Granite countertops are incredibly popular in kitchens and bathrooms. The natural beauty of the stone has captured the hearts of many. As granite continues to become more affordable, more and more people are incorporating it into their homes. There are so many options for colors and patterns available that many people forget that there are other ways to make your countertops look unique.
One of the ways to change the appearance of your granite countertops is to pick an unusual finish for it. Here are six of the best finishes for granite countertops.
Polished
The most common finish for granite countertops is polished. The polished finish makes the surface of the granite countertop glossy and almost mirror-like. With a polished finish, the characteristics of the stone are highlighted. The colors and textures will be more vibrant.
The polished finish it the easiest surface to clean; it is easy to keep countertops with a polished finish looking brand new as well. Additionally, the polished finish seals the pores of the stone to keep water and moisture out of the stone.
Care for polished granite includes both resealing and polishing the stone in addition to keeping it clean.
Honed
Honed, also called matte or buffed, finish creates a very smooth surface without any gloss or reflection. To create this finish, the regular polish finishing process ends before the stone is buffed to create a flat finish, which is sometimes called a satin finish. Honed finishes are most popular on floors to prevent people from walking on the slippery surface created by polished stones. This finish can also be used on countertops, but it makes the granite more susceptible to staining.
Since honed granite isn’t as slippery or stain-resistant than polished granite, you might need to reseal it more frequently. However, you won’t need to add polish to the stone.
Leathered
The leathered finish, also called the brushed finish, is a relatively new finishing style. It is created by taking a honed surface and running diamond-tipped brushes over it to add texture with subtle dimples. Leathered finishes tend to look more sophisticated. Leathered countertops often keep the color of the natural stone, unlike with a honed finish.
When compared to honed granite, leathered granite will be more stain-resistant. This surface finish hides water spots, fingerprints, and smudges.
Flamed
Granite is the only natural stone that can have a flamed finish due to the high heat applied to the surface of the stone. This makes the flamed finish pretty rare; in fact, it is most popular for outdoor kitchens, but it isn’t often used on indoor countertops. To create a flamed finish, granite is heated under extreme temperatures that cause the grains in the stone to burst and change color. The final product has a rougher surface with a natural and faded appearance. Countertops with flamed finishes are usually muted in color.
Caressed
The caressed finish is created by taking the leathered finish and adding some shine to it. To do this, the raised areas of the stone are polished, which creates a sheen on those surfaces. This look is considered both elegant and rugged. Additionally, this process seals the pores of the stone to keep it protected from moisture.
Bush Hammered
While this isn’t a common finish for granite countertops, it is one that you should consider. The finish is created using a tool that looks like a meat tenderizing hammer with triangular points on it. This tool is struck against the surface to provide a naturally weathered look with a slightly textured surface. This technique also tends to lighten the color of the stone.
There are additional finish options, but most of them are just used for decorative purposes, because they are too porous and hard to clean to be used on countertops.
How to Clean Granite Countertops
No matter what type of finish you have on your granite countertop, Rock Doctor Granite & Quartz Cleaner can keep the stone clean without causing any damage. Many household cleaners contain abrasive chemicals and ingredients that can damage granite, which is why you need a granite-friendly cleaner. Rock Doctor’s full line of granite care products will help protect your countertops from anything that could cause damage.
Granite countertops with certain finishes will need to be polished from time to time. To keep the shine, use Rock Doctor Granite & Quartz Polish. This polish is easy to apply and will leave your countertops looking as shiny as they were the day they were installed.
For any granite countertop that requires a sealer, Rock Doctor Granite & Stone Sealer will offer protection without causing any damage. A polished granite countertop will need to be sealed about once a year, but honed and other finishes may need to be finished more frequently. Check with your contractor to see how often your countertops will need to be sealed.
You can purchase Rock Doctor products at Amazon, Lowe’s, Menards, and The Home Depot. To learn more about these products, call Rock Doctor at 913-894-0288.
