What You Need To Know About Honed Granite
Honed granite is a special type of granite that looks different than the most popular granite finishes. The typical granite countertop has a highly polished surface finish. This makes the surface shine and sparkle. A honed finish is obtained while the granite surface is undergoing surface finishing. The way this is done is to stop the process just before the glossy, polished finished is achieved. This leaves the granite surface with a matte-like appearance, a softer and more subdued colors and a surface that does not reflect light. This works extremely well in traditional and rustic kitchens.
The typical applications of honed granite are for floors and walkways where you don't need a shiny and glossy finish. This gives a very functional finish for such areas. But they are also used for granite countertops by homeowners who are looking for a different finish. These people prefer a more subtle finish that shows the real beauty of the granite.
With the flat finish of honed granite, it becomes ideal for those who want a rustic, old world ambience for their kitchens. Because there aren't any bright colors or distinct vein movements, the overall look is more subdued and elegant. The image projected will be that of softness, smoothness and tenderness.
It is normal for all natural stone to have marks and fissures. With a honed finish, these will still show through, so it's very important to choose your stone very carefully. The unpolished nature of honed granite makes it harder to clean. When water or oil is deposited in its surface, it will make it temporarily shiny and glossy. If there are liquid stains and fingerprints on the honed surface, they will be very noticeable because of the dark spots they will make. To prevent this from happening, always wipe off water and dirt once you see them on the surface.
With honed granite, cleaning the stone's surface is very important. You should endeavor to clean it daily after every use so that stains will not develop in the surface. Always use mild soaps or natural stone cleansers and soft cloth in cleaning dirt and stains. Because of its porous surface, you also need to reseal it every 6 months to extend its useful life.
We hope we have helped you make an informed choice when you choose what finish to have for your granite countertops. This is an important decision that shouldn't be taken lightly.
The typical applications of honed granite are for floors and walkways where you don't need a shiny and glossy finish. This gives a very functional finish for such areas. But they are also used for granite countertops by homeowners who are looking for a different finish. These people prefer a more subtle finish that shows the real beauty of the granite.
With the flat finish of honed granite, it becomes ideal for those who want a rustic, old world ambience for their kitchens. Because there aren't any bright colors or distinct vein movements, the overall look is more subdued and elegant. The image projected will be that of softness, smoothness and tenderness.
It is normal for all natural stone to have marks and fissures. With a honed finish, these will still show through, so it's very important to choose your stone very carefully. The unpolished nature of honed granite makes it harder to clean. When water or oil is deposited in its surface, it will make it temporarily shiny and glossy. If there are liquid stains and fingerprints on the honed surface, they will be very noticeable because of the dark spots they will make. To prevent this from happening, always wipe off water and dirt once you see them on the surface.
With honed granite, cleaning the stone's surface is very important. You should endeavor to clean it daily after every use so that stains will not develop in the surface. Always use mild soaps or natural stone cleansers and soft cloth in cleaning dirt and stains. Because of its porous surface, you also need to reseal it every 6 months to extend its useful life.
We hope we have helped you make an informed choice when you choose what finish to have for your granite countertops. This is an important decision that shouldn't be taken lightly.
