Have you thought about installing honed granite countertops during your kitchen remodel? If your house is as busy as most homes, your counters will be used for more than cooking (such as craft projects, games etc). It’s important you pick something that will reflect your personality in its design and care.
Honed Granite Countertops – The Basics
You’ve probably heard of granite counters, but what are “honed granite countertops”? As you can see from the photo taken at our Saratoga remodeling project (above), a honed surface doesn’t reflect the way a polished surface does; it’s more like a matte finish. A lot of homeowners choose them during their kitchen remodel because of their softer, more natural appearance.
Benefits of Honed Granite Countertops
There are a lot of benefits to installing honed granite during your kitchen remodel. The most common reasons homeowners choose these types of countertops include:
Appearance. Honed granite can be quite beautiful and provide a lot of versatility to the room. It’s also a good choice for those that want something one-of-a-kind. As Sophisticated Edgeexplains, “Because honed granite is a natural stone, no two slabs of granite are the same, ensuring that your countertop will have its own unique colors and shading. Honed granite can be polished to a flat matte finish or to a very low gloss to match your style.”
Durability. Honed granite can take a bit of a beating. They’re resistant to scratching, cracking, chipping and breaking in addition to heat; feel free to place hot pots and pans directly on these counters.
Value. Honed granite countertops, especially black ones, are extremely popular right now. They’re widely recognized as a way to add value to your home, which is one reason many homeowners opt for them during a kitchen remodel.
The Downsides to Honed Granite Countertops
As with any materials you use during a kitchen remodel, there are a few downsides to honed granite countertops, including:
Price. Granite is an expensive material, and honed granite tends to cost even more than that with a glossy finish.
Maintenance. If you’re looking for counters that will take little-to-no maintenance, a honed surface might not be the best option for you. Even though granite is a low-maintenance material, “Honing gives granite a degree of absorbency, making honed granite more susceptible to staining, fingerprints and water marks.”
Amplified imperfections. Although nature is full of imperfections, not all homeowners want the marks and pits that often accompany honed granite countertops. Grind marks are somewhat common due to the manufacturing process, and pits in the granite that are hidden through polishing are more visible on honed surfaces.
What kind of countertops are a good fit for your kitchen remodel? Our design-build team can help you create your dream home with your budget in mind! Contact us for a complimentary in-home consultation.