 | Jason Huang began his career in the home remodeling industry fabricating and installing natural stone countertops after
being inspired by the beauty and elegance of granite and marble. His main goal at Wichita Granite and Cabinetry is the
satisfaction of the customer, excellent service, and sharing knowledge associated with natural stone. A member of the
Better Business Bureau,The Wichita Area Builders Association , and the National Association of Home Builders. Wichita granite
and cabinetry is family own and operated.
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Home Remodeling and Improvement
2012-11-19 10:01:33
Granite finishes for kitchens and bathrooms?
Q- I’m like other homeowners throughout the United States that are looking for a change in their kitchen counters and bathroom vanities, could you please help me with the different finishes, and the pro’s and con’s?
A- Great question, there is a large variety of ways to go about granite countertops’ production. Granite surfaces are finished in many ways. They can be polished, honed, flamed or brushed; each technique will add its own unique look and texture to the stone.
A: polished finish is definitely the most common because of a few key factors involved. Polished finishes will help to give your home a distinct and elegant look. This type of finish is a great choice, especially for kitchens. A polished finish is easier to maintain than most other finishes and its sparkling appearance brings out all of the color in your granite. Granite’s polished finish can often be described as both shiny and mirror-like.
Honed finishes are slowly becoming more and more popular for newly installed granite countertops. This type of finish is smooth and also less shiny than the polished finishes. Its less shimmering appearance gives your home a slightly more causal and contemporary feel while still maintaining the elegant feel granite is known for providing.
A drawback of honed finishes is they are, unfortunately, known to show more stains when compared to other finishes. Don’t let this deter you from this choice however; as long as you make any effort to clean, maintain and care for your countertops, they will be just fine. There are also certain sealers and various types of treatments that will help keep your beautiful honed countertops stain free. Just like all other granite countertops and finishes, honed countertops are extremely durable and if taken care of, will last a lifetime.
Another way to go about granite countertops’ production is to give them a flamed finish.
Flamed finishes are created by exposing a piece of granite to extremely intense heat followed immediately by intense cooling. This exposure to extreme temperature change causes the granite to melt, and in the process, shatter some crystals. This leaves the granite with a highly textured surface. Flamed finishes are generally seen in an industrial environment because of the traction benefits. Despite their usual use, flamed finish granite countertops are also a great choice for your home. Flamed finishes are the perfect solution if you are interested in a surface that is textured and slip resistant.
Brushed finishes, which are also known as antiqued finishes, are created by gently brushing the granite’s surface which develops a worn-in look throughout the stone. This finish can give your countertops a more dramatic look when compared to the other finishes.
Q: What are the pros and cons about granite countertops?
A: The choosing of a material for your kitchen countertops or bathroom vanities should be done with extreme caution since these surfaces can drastically shape the look and feel of a room. Remember that these surfaces must also endure a large amount of everyday wear and tear. Like other types of countertop materials, granite has pros and cons that must be weighed. There are several features that are unique to granite that help contribute to its recent rise in popularity.
GRANITE COUNTERTOP PROS:
* Granite is the countertop material of choice.
* Granite contains a mixture of natural beauty as well as elegance.
* Can hold up to heat and is resilient against scratches.
* Provides a permanent and substantial look.
* Extremely durable.
* Offered in more affordable versions.
* Extreme Uniqueness: No two pieces of granite are identical.
* Coloration will remain constant; your granite counter will always remain just as bright and as vibrant as the day it was installed.
GRANITE COUNTERTOP CONS:
* Granite can be pricy; when it is installed in whole and solid pieces it can be amongst the most expensive countertop options.
* Granite requires that you use a cutting board.
* It’s porous: even with proper sealing and regular resealing, it can still stain.
* Requires resealing more often than most other surfaces.
* If any part of the granite cracks, that entire section will need to be replaced
