People love marble countertops for all kinds of reasons. These natural stones come in all types of patterns and colorations that liven up a room and make the space unique.
At WS Granite Tops, we want your kitchen or bathroom to turn out exactly the way you want it to—which means you make all the important choices that make the countertops completely your own.
Marble is a soft stone, so it’s especially malleable during the fabrication process. This makes it the perfect candidate for customization; you have control over any and everything—the edge profiles, the finish, and much, much more.
In this article, we’ll discuss the marble countertop finish options that you have. In order to make your marble countertop come to life in the way you’re envisioning, you want to find the finish that works for you and your home.
Your finish type plays into how your countertop looks and also how it functions. Here we’ll go over the three most common types of finishes—glossy (polished), matte (honed), and leathered—and some general care tips.
Polished Marble Finish
We call a glossy marble finish a “polished” finish, and that’s the finish you should choose if you’re looking for a smooth, reflective surface for your countertop. This finish is created through a complex process that involves grinding, buffing, and polishing—all of which creates a shiny surface that beautifully shows off the unique color and veining of your marble slab.
The polished finish is the least porous finish that you can choose, which is a trait that many people find favorable. Because it’s less porous, it’s less likely to welcome stains. But this low degree of porousness also means that it could show marks like scratches, fingerprints, or etches more easily. For this reason, a polished finish for your marble countertop requires a bit more care and attention than other finishes.
Honed Marble Finish
The matte marble finish, or what we call “honed,” creates the look of a flat and smooth slab. This is done by a sanding and grinding process that makes for a matte look with a powdery surface instead of the reflective surface a polished finish creates. Honed marble gives off a very classic vibe, and it doesn’t show scratches or etches half as much as a polished finish will.
It’s important to note, though, that while a countertop with a honed finish won’t show scratches or etches as easily, the surface is more porous than a polished finish—that means it might be vulnerable to stains.
Leathered Marble Finish
This type of finish is called “leathered” because it creates a surface that has a textured feel to it. It has more depth than honed marble, and it doesn’t have the shine that comes with polished marble—it’s in a category all its own.
It’s less porous than honed marble, but it also does a great job of hiding scratches and fingerprints. So, if you’re looking for an interesting choice that treads the line between honed and polished, the best finish for marble countertops for you might be leathered.
Taking Care of Your Marble
No matter what marble finish you choose, it’s important to take good care of your countertop surface to ensure that your marble slab lasts as long as it possibly can. Make sure to keep up a regular sealing routine (especially if you choose a honed finish), and wash the surface regularly with mild soap, warm water, and a soft cloth.
For more information on how to choose the best finish for marble countertops, don’t hesitate to contact WS Granite Tops today.
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