There’s a lot that goes into your choices of countertops. It’s not just the material and the color, there’s more to it than that. When you select your material, what you’re really selecting is a rough stone slab. To truly make a choice in your countertop, you make a choice in the finishing process. There are several options and what you decide is going to determine the kind of countertop you ultimately end up with.
Polished and honed countertops are two very different looks even on the same stone material.
Deciding between them is a matter of taste, aesthetics, maintenance levels, and the overall design of the room they’re going into. There’s a lot of personal factors that go into deciding between the two but there are also some elements that will be true, no matter the material.
Below are some of the key differences between honed and polished countertops.
Countertop Appearance
The stone you choose will play into this but, ultimately, there are some rules across the board that are true for all materials. Polished stone will have a finished and clean look to it. It will feel elegant and classy and obviously have been treated to come across as professional. It makes the colors crisp and gives it a mirror like finish.
Honed offers a softer, more subtle, and natural look to the stone. It can vary but the ultimately look is something more natural and has an earthy feel.
Countertop Maintenance
A polished finish tends to close as many pores as possible in the stone. It’s also cleaner, stain resistant, and able to maintain sanitation as well as repel moisture without the need to frequently reseal.
Whereas a honed surface leaves the pores exposed which requires more maintenance and care so, if you’re going honed, pick a less porous material.
Countertop Cost
The polishing process is more expensive because it requires more grinding and finishing than the honed process. However, polished materials tend to be better stocked than honed materials given polishes’ popularity, so that also can help alleviate the cost with such a large supply available.
Related Questions
Are Certain Stones Better as Polished or Honed?
If you’re choosing a porous material, you’ll want to go polished to avoid staining, damage, and the need for constant resealing. Materials that are not as porous, like slate, are ideal for honed and look good in that style.
Does Honed Scratch Easily?
In short, yes. You will find honed material less protected and more susceptible to physical damage and wear and tear than polished. So, if you go with honed, make sure the material can handle it.
Get the countertop of your dreams by making the right choice when it comes to the finish of your material and speak with a countertop professional.
At Wisconsin Granite Design, we will help make the process of choosing countertops, colors and finishes fun and engaging. We specialize in affordable design and installation of quartz, granite, and marble countertops with an experienced and savvy design team ready to help.
When you visit our Oak Creek countertop store and showroom you will be able to explore an extensive selection of kitchen and bathroom countertops in limitless colors, patterns and finishes. Get started on your countertop remodel today!