What Is "Finish" on Granite Countertops?

When you make the smart choice to install granite kitchen countertops in Brookhaven, you have a number of personalization options. After all, granite is a natural material that is varied and unique. You have plenty of colors to choose from, as well as unique features like veining and texture. Do you want colorful grain or a reserved, simple slab? What color granite would match perfectly with your kitchen? Are you a fan of neutrals or would you prefer notes of bright and bold color, like gold and blue? When it comes to real granite, your choices are virtually endless.

And all of these choices come before the finishing details, or the customization techniques that granite countertop manufacturers use on natural slabs of real granite. When you customize your granite, you get to choose its dimensions, thickness, edge design, and finish. 

Many consumers, even devoted fans of beautiful granite surfaces, are confused by their "finish" options, and might not have a strong opinion when it comes to their choices. But you should know what finish is and how it affects your slab of natural granite.

"Finish" on natural stone refers to the treatments that countertop craftsmen use on the material. Think of it this way: If you have a wooden deck, you can choose to paint it, stain it, or seal it for a natural look. Granite finish is similar.

When you customize your kitchen countertops, your finish options typically include polished, honed, or leather. 

Polished granite is smooth and reflective with rich color. It appears to have a shiny seal on top. It looks smooth and makes the granite less porous, which makes it 

easier to maintain.

Honed finish offers a natural, fresh-from-the-quarry look. It results in less shiny and vibrant granite, but it hides imperfections in the stone and conceals messes. 

Leather finish, which is treated with diamond brushes, combines the best of the prior options. It makes granite shiny and non-porous like polished finish, but also conceals flaws and messes like honed granite. However, the rough and leathery appearance of this finish is not for everyone.

So, what does it matter? Why is granite finish an important choice? The stone will still be the same color, right? Actually, different types of finishes will give you drastically different countertops, even when they're cut from the same slab. Different finishes also affect your everyday experience with the granite and its maintenance needs. But don't worry about making the wrong choice. If you choose to install granite kitchen countertops in Brookhaven, your granite supplier will help you make the right choice based on your design preferences and lifestyle.