There is an abundance of information to help you select a countertop for your home based on functionality and style, yet minimal information on which would be your best fit based on finish.
At Slabworks we offer 3 basic types of finishes on our stone countertops. Those being, polished, matte/honed, and brushed/leathered. How do you decide which to choose? Changing the finish can change a stone’s reflective properties, and its ability to resist to chips, stains and scratches. Choosing the right stone is a question of both style and function.
Polished Finish
The polished finish has a high-gloss look often seen in contemporary, clean home designs. White and lighter-gray stone can have a mirror effect, which can make a room look larger. Darker stone shows dirt less, but smudges more. For all stone types, a glossy polish brings out the natural color and shine.
Since polishing closes the natural stone pores, it is the easiest to keep clean and stain free. You will need to take care not to dull the shiny surface using abrasive cleaners our harsh chemical, however.
Honed or Matte Finish
Honed finishes have become more popular in recent years. We can create a matte finish by honing off some, or all, of the polished surface, leaving the stone with its natural reflective properties. We can work with you to pick the level of “shine” you like best. This photo shows a side-by-side comparison on some Blue Pearl Granite. You can see how the matte finish barely reflects the ceiling light.
With white and light stone, a matte finish looks ultra modern, and will often highlight thin veining in the stone. For darker stone, a matte finish looks classic but, without proper care, may fade over time.
Honed and matte finishes are easy to maintain by applying sealers that protect from staining and sun damage.
Leathered or Brushed Finish
A leathered or brushed surface will bring out a stone’s natural characteristics. Depending on the type of stone you choose, the process can bring out layers of shine and matte, similar to that of leather. The effects of leathering can be quite dramatic, like with the Rain Forest Brown Marble pictured here. This finish reflects more light in some places than others, and has a very natural, organic look and feel.
Brushed finishes can eliminate minor scratches and imperfections in the stone’s surface, and take some or all, of the polish off the surface. It can create high and low spots by removing softer components of the stone more readily than the harder portions.
Like honed finishes, they are easy to maintain by cleaning and applying the appropriate sealers.
If you have any questions on which finish is best for you and your home contact us!
