Granite countertops are a top choice for kitchen remodels due to their aesthetic appeal and exceptional durability. Available in a wide range of colors, each piece of granite features unique patterns and lines, ensuring a distinctive look.
When selecting a finish for your granite countertop, you have three main options: honed, polished, and leather. While honed and polished finishes are the most common, the leather finish is gaining popularity.
Pros and Cons of a Leathered Finish on Granite Countertops
Pros:
- Natural Appearance: A leathered finish provides a natural, rustic look that enhances the stone’s innate beauty.
- Conceals Imperfections: It effectively hides stains, scratches, fingerprints, and smudges, making it low-maintenance.
- Unique Texture: The textured surface offers a distinct feel and appearance, adding character to your kitchen.
Cons:
- Susceptible to Scratches: This finish is easier to scratch compared to honed or polished finishes.
- Limited Popularity: While growing in popularity, it is still less common than other finishes, which might affect resale value.
Despite its cons, the benefits of a leathered finish can make it an appealing option. However, it’s essential to weigh these factors carefully before making your decision.
What is Granite?
Granite is a natural stone commonly used in countertops, flooring, walls, and tables. Each slab is unique, as it is directly extracted from the earth, ensuring no two pieces are alike. This uniqueness adds to its charm and appeal in various applications.
What is Leathered Granite?
A leathered finish is a relatively new style that is gaining traction. It features a softer sheen than polished granite and a textured surface that resembles leather. This finish highlights the stone’s natural characteristics and helps conceal minor imperfections such as stains and fingerprints, making it a practical and stylish choice for countertops.
How Are Granite Countertops Leathered?
To achieve the textured, leathered look on granite countertops, a diamond-tipped brush is used to treat the stone’s surface. This process removes natural imperfections and polishes the stone to the desired texture. Once the ideal texture is reached, a professional polishes the slab before it is installed.
How to Properly Care for Granite Countertops with a Leather Finish
Leathered granite countertops are easy to maintain. Clean them with warm water and soap, and use a handheld brush to remove dust and crumbs from the grooves. These countertops need to be sealed every 1-5 years, depending on the color and porosity of the stone.
Pros of Leathered Granite Countertops
- Unique, Rustic Appearance: The leathered finish provides a distinctive, antique, and rustic look, ideal for those seeking a non-polished appearance.
- Conceals Imperfections: This finish hides smudges, water stains, and fingerprints due to its lack of shine.
- Stain and Bacteria Resistance: The leathered texture tightens the stone’s natural pores, making it harder for spills and bacteria to penetrate.
- Natural Color Enhancement: It reveals the stone’s natural color without the high shine of a polished finish, appealing to those preferring a more subdued look.
- Slip Resistance: The textured surface is naturally slip-resistant, reducing the likelihood of items sliding off the countertop.
Cons of Leathered Granite Countertops
- Lack of Reflectivity: Leathered finishes do not have the reflective qualities of polished granite, making them less ideal for small areas where light reflection is desired.
- Susceptibility to Scratching: The textured surface is more prone to scratches if not sealed. However, sealing before installation can prevent this issue.
- Challenging to Clean: The uneven texture can make cleaning more difficult. It’s recommended to use a dry brush to remove dust and debris from the surface.
Summary
Leathered granite countertops are becoming increasingly popular due to their unique, rustic look that enhances the beauty of any room. One of the appealing features is the ability to choose the amount of texture desired.
At Edstone, we pride ourselves on creating custom countertop solutions that exceed our clients’ expectations. Our extensive selection of granite, marble, and quartz is available for viewing at our showroom.
If you are planning to remodel your kitchen, bathroom, or business and desire countertops that make a statement and last for years, contact us for a free consultation with one of our designers. With over 18 years of experience, we have been enhancing Wisconsin homes with the most beautiful countertops.
