Why Should You Used Polished Granite Instead of Honed Granite for Your Kitchen Countertops?

Granite is a fantastic material for kitchen countertops. It comes in a variety of colours, offers exceptional durability and longevity, resists scratches and scorches, and brings a natural sense of elegance. As such, it's one of the most popular options.

However, there are a few things to consider even after you've decided on granite during your kitchen renovations. As a natural stone, it can be finished in different ways, so you'll also have to take the time to decide whether you want polished granite or honed granite. Though some people will prefer honed, polished granite tends to be more popular for kitchen countertops, and here are just a few reasons why.

More reflective appearance

Granite is quarried in a very rough form and then subjected to several finishing processes, including polishing with abrasive pads. For polished granite, those pads are applied until the surface boasts a reflective sheen; for honed granite, those pads are stopped before the surface reaches that state, leaving a matte-like appearance.

Style is always in the eye of the beholder, but most people prefer the reflective appearance of polished granite since it highlights the stone's natural beauty and makes the colours look more vibrant. This is particularly true with kitchen countertops since they tend to be the focal point of the room. Additionally, it's nice to have light reflected more in the kitchen to create a more welcoming and well-illuminated space.

Easier to clean and maintain

Because it has been rubbed down more, the surface of polished granite has most of its pores closed. Since it isn't as porous, it is very hard to stain, requires resealing very infrequently and doesn't harbour bacteria very easily. Honed surfaces are still smooth, but they are far more porous. The surface will need to be sealed more regularly, but even when treated with a sealant it can still be stained if you knock over strongly-coloured drink or food. Dust and grease will be more easily caught, and even hand prints can be relatively hard to wipe away.

Nicer surface to work on

Finally, it's just a lot nicer to work on a polished granite surface than a honed granite surface. This is because the polished surface will be a lot smoother to the touch. When you need to make a meal, it's advantageous to work on quite a smooth surface since food will move around more easily. It's not a huge difference, but it's one that you'll want to keep in mind if you like to cook more complex meals.

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