Whether it is granite, marble, or quartz, the countertop finish adds the much-needed touch that can transform your kitchen countertops in one swift stroke. But the countless options can often tempt you into a pit of confusion. Choosing the perfect finish does not only require evaluating its visual appearance but also the benefits it brings to the table.
The two most common countertop finish options are: Polished and Honed. If you want to stick to the basics, you can check out more about them on this page.
However, those are not the only options that you have. Narrowing down to that one countertop finish that is perfect for your kitchen can be an arduous task. Hence if you need a little help to decide, here is a guide on everything you need to know to choose the perfect one to finish.
4 Qualities a Perfect Countertop Finish Should Have
source: westsidetile.com
Before you head over to choose the perfect countertop finish, check out what qualities are essential for them to be perfect for kitchen use.
- It should make the surface smooth so that it’s easy to clean.
- It should be non-porous to ensure it doesn’t absorb stains easily.
- It should be unique and add beauty to the kitchen.
- It should make the countertops low maintenance.
Top 4 Kitchen Countertop Finishes: Advantages & Disadvantages
You can certainly choose which countertop finish is more appealing to you and goes with the overall theme of your kitchen. But beauty is not the only purpose of a kitchen countertop finish.
Hence here is a list of the top 4 countertop finishes and everything you need to know about them.
Polished Finish
source: architecturaldigest.in
Polished finishes are the most popular of the lot. Most homeowners love to have a shiny, sparkling finish on their kitchen countertops. The polished finish also makes the natural colour of the stones stand out better and offers a host of other benefits as well.
Advantages of Polished Finish
- The polished finish reflects light pretty well, making the entire surface look brighter and adds to the overall beauty of your kitchen.
- The shiny polished surface also highlights the natural colour of the countertop material, making it look more vibrant.
- Polished surfaces come with a natural seal. This makes them almost non-porous and reduces the chances of retaining stains as well as bacterial growth.
Disadvantages of Polished Finish
- The polished finish is not at all resistant to acidic ingredients. In fact, on being exposed to acidic items, the topmost layer can erode and turn brittle.
- Since the finish reflects light and makes the colour stand out, it also highlights blemishes and stains on the surface.
Honed Finish
source: residencestyle.com
Commonly known as matte finish, a honed finish is another popular countertop finish. Unlike a shiny polished finish, the honed finish adds a subtle elegance. It also adds a smooth texture to kitchen countertop surfaces.
Advantages of Honed Finish
- Since the surfaces are not bright and shiny, it does not highlight the blemishes or flaws of the countertops, unlike polished surfaces.
- Honed Finish allows you to flaunt the natural beauty of the stones that you are using for your kitchen countertop.
Disadvantages of Honed Finish
- A matte finish requires frequent sealing to prevent permanent retention of stains and bacterial infestation.
- It’s not as shiny as polished surfaces, so it tends to mute the shades of the stone.
Leathered Finish
source: architecturaldigest.com
If you are looking for something unique, you might not like standard countertop finishes like polished and matte. If you want to stand out, then you should definitely go for a leathered finish. What makes it different is that it highlights the natural texture of the stones. With alternative shiny and matte layers, it gives the surface a velvety texture, just like leather.
Advantages of Leathered Finish
- It highlights the stone’s natural beauty and offers a unique velvety texture. It takes considerable effort with a diamond brush to bring out the texture, but it is certainly worth it.
- A leathered finish is also very effective in hiding scratches and blemishes. This is because the textured surface conceals spots better than smooth polished surfaces that highlight it.
- Since this is new in the market, you can expect to have a unique kitchen countertop amidst the crowd of similar countertop finishes.
- It is also moderately resistant to stains with mediocre porosity levels. Hence it makes sure that the stains are not absorbed into the material.
Disadvantages of Leathered Finish
- The leathered finish has a natural texture and is often comparatively rougher than the smooth polished surfaces. Hence it is difficult to remove dirt particles from these surfaces.
- Since the leathered finish does not reflect light much, it can make your kitchen look smaller. This is a significant disadvantage for people who already have small kitchens.
Caressed Finish
source: thespruce.com
If you want to strike the perfect balance between polished and leathered, then this one’s for you. You might not like the gleaming texture of the polished finish, and you also might not want to settle down for the rugged texture of the leathered finish. But the caressed finish is a fantastic alternative that is shiny, polished and accentuates the stones’ natural texture.
Advantages of Caressed Finish
- Just like polished finish, caressed finish also brightens up the room with its shiny exterior.
- Since it is polished, it does not require regular resealing and puts up a strong resistance against stains.
Disadvantages of Caressed Finish
- Since it accentuates the natural texture of the material you are using for the countertop, it is slightly difficult to clean.
Endnote
source:onecms.io
The beauty of the kitchen countertops is equally dependent on the surface material you choose and the countertop’s finish. Hence you must take time to go through the benefits and downsides of each of the finish options mentioned above and choose the one that suits your needs the best.
Once you are done with your selection, make sure you always opt for reputable brands like Caesarstone to get the best service. Also, consider going for professional advice before you arrive at a final decision.
