There are numerous types of finishes when it comes to your countertops.
Polished, honed and leathered are the top 3, most popular types of finishes – but most homeowners are only really aware of polished finishes.
This is largely due to the fact that some homeowners don’t know that there are different types available to them!
For example, head to this granite-finish article to learn more about the different types of finishes.
In this article, however, we’ll be focusing on the 2nd most popular type of finish and answering the questions, “what are leathered granite countertops and how do they benefit you?”
What are Leathered Granite Countertops?
A leathered granite finish refers to the smooth, matte finish of the slab. What exactly does this look like?
If you can imagine a traditional, polished countertop – where you can essentially see yourself in the reflection, picture the opposite.
Leathered granite will provide a smooth, non-reflective surface. Plus, this type of finish will give the stone a textured appearance – essentially giving your countertops a sense of character!
This is largely an aesthetic difference, but a leathered finish actually provides a bit more functionality and benefits compared to a polished one. So what exactly are those benefits?
What benefits does Leathered Granite provide?
Now that we’ve discussed what a leathered finish actually is, we’ll talk a little bit about some of the benefits they provide that a polished finish can’t.
For example, by having a leathered finish rather than a polished one, your countertops will be much less susceptible to finger prints and smudges. Not only that, but leathered finishes can also add a bit more of a defense against water and other liquid spotting. The leathering of a countertop will close the pores in the stone to increase the stain resistance.
Plus, the smoother finish will make your countertops much easier to clean since there aren’t any dips or divots for dirt or crumbs to hide in.
Aesthetically speaking, determining which type of finish is better is completely up to the homeowner and what they like. Some love a highly reflective surface, others prefer the opposite. Regardless of which one you choose, you’ll have an amazing countertop installed in your home.
If you’d like to learn more about the granite buying process or would like to check out some examples of granite installed, explore our website and head to our gallery page!