13
Oct

Granite Countertops – The Complete Guide!

Ever wondered what is Granite?

Granite is an obvious choice when it comes to choosing the finish for a new kitchen counter-top or bathroom vanity. The surface finish chosen, will affect the overall look and appeal of your room and also the maintenance of your stone.

There are numerous reasons why granite has gained so much popularity, like:

  • It adds stunning elegance and natural beauty to your home décor.

  • It comes in a great variety of colors and styles to compliment the aesthetic tastes and individual preferences.

  • It’s durable and easy to maintain.

  • It is scratch-proof and heat-resistant.

Although it does have certain cons as well –

  • Granite is an expensive kitchen counter-top material and the installation cost is also a cause for concern.

  • The process of installation is complicated and requires expertise.

  • Granite counter-tops are a bit hard to remove.

Polished and Honed granite are two different types of surface finishes applied to your stone.And to help you make an informed decision for your new design, you need to be aware of the pros and cons of both of these surface finishes.

So, let’s take a closer look at the key features and some of the major Pros & Cons of these popular types of granite finishes – honed granite vs. polished granite.

Polished Granite

The type of surface of the granite is determined by where the finishing process ends. The slab goes through a series of polishing wheels fitted with coarse abrasive pads. These pads then apply pressure to the stone, grinding the surface. When the stone is buffed further with the help of fine polishing pads, the surface acquires a glossy, reflective appearance described as polished finish granite.

Pros of Polished Granite

  • A classy, sophisticated appearance, polished granite is your best choice.

  • Polished granite has a glossy, mirror-like shine that reflects light well and manifests the unique character of your stone.

  • You can choose from a great variety of hues, including shades of gold, black, white, and grey.

The polished surface finish is considered the finest finish available. It greatly enhances the richness and elegance of the décor and has rightfully become a symbol of opulence and splendor.

Cons of Polished Granite

  • All stones are not capable of being polished to this high gloss finish.

  • Polished granite requires more grinding than honed granite, so it makes sense for the polished stone to be more expensive than its honed counterpart.

Honed Granite

A honed surface finish is a SMOOTH surface without reflection. The finish of honed granite remains flatter than a full gloss polish. It’s less shiny and there’s very little, if any reflection.

Pros of Honed Granite

  • Honed surfaces offer a softer, more natural look and feel than polished ones.

  • Its surface is very smooth and velvety to the touch but lacks the shine and the high degree of reflection characteristic of a polished finish. Thus giving your counter-tops a natural look.

Cons of Honed Granite

  • It’s more prone to staining since its pores aren’t sealed

  • Honed granite requires more maintenance

Both types of finishes have their pros and cons. The choice depends entirely on your personal taste and the specifics of your home environment.

So, go ahead give your counter-tops the much-needed granite twist and see the beautiful transformation.