Granite has always been popular for its strong structure and premium look. The cherry on top is that different surface finishes double its demand. That is the reason architects and home designers choose granite for many of the remodeling projects. The finishes are honed & polished. Both are different, each giving a distinct look to the stone. The question is, how will you figure out which one is the best fit for your space and lifestyle?
Let’s dive deeper into this tale of texture and shine and discover the actual difference between honed and polished granite and which one is just right for your next design chapter.
What Is Honed Granite?
Honed granite is a stone or slab that is given a textured or velvety finish. So, it is not a type of stone but rather the finish, ideal for a soft appearance. You can choose and give it a honed finish by grinding.
Key Traits:
Finish: Matte or satin, with little to no reflection
Feel: Smooth but not slippery
Look: Soft, natural, and understated
Popular In: Modern, rustic, or minimalist kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas.
What Is Polished Granite?
Polished granite is a natural stone surface that’s buffed to a high-gloss, reflective finish, highlighting the stone’s rich colors and patterns. This finish is popular for its vibrant appearance and easy-to-clean surface.
Key Traits:
Finish: High-gloss, mirror-like
Feel: Extremely smooth and shiny
Look: Bold, elegant, and dramatic
Popular In: Luxury kitchens, formal bathrooms, hotel-style vanities
Polished vs Honed Granite: What Makes Them Different?
Both are granite stone types but show some differences in looks, maintenance, resistance, and cost.
Polished vs Honed Granite: Looks
Polished and honed stone looks are quite different, each with its own unique charm and appeal.
Polished Granite:
Polished granite looks like shimmering still water under the sun. Its surface is glassy smooth, reflecting light and shadows like a mirror. This type of granite is perfect for those who love shine and the feeling of luxury under their fingertips.
Examples:
- Black Pearl Polished Granite
- Absolute Black Via Lattea Granite Polished Granite
Honed Granite:
Honed granite has a quiet charm. Its surface is soft to the touch, i.e., matte, velvety, almost earthy. This kind of granite looks subtle and understated, chosen by those who prefer a natural, modern feel with a touch of rustic surface.
Examples:
- Black Mist Honed Granite
- Silver Grey Honed Granite
- Honed White Granite, and more.
Polished Vs Honed Granite: Maintenance & Cleaning
Since both the surfaces have different textures, you need to maintain and clean them differently.
Honed Granite:
Honed granite requires high maintenance due to its textured surface. To maintain its look, it’s recommended to clean immediately after use or dab spills to prevent stone formation. You can use a damp, soft cloth to wipe down the stone surface. Besides that, sealing also required once or twice every year to preserve its longevity.
Polished Granite:
Polished granite also needs to stay clean and shiny. You can use a damp cloth or mild cleaner to maintain its shine. If your kitchen is used a lot, then you need to arrange some silicone or wood boards to place hot items on them. Just like honed granite, it also requires sealing one to two times in a year.
Polished Vs Honed Granite: Scratch Resistance
Polished and granite have different scratch-hiding power, making one of the two more resistant than the other.
Honed Granite:
Honed granite finish gives softness to stone, making it sensitive to scratches. However, even if scratches are formed, a honed finish is good at hiding them. But even then, you’ll need to pay enough attention to maintenance to prevent it from getting scratched. You should take some precautions to avoid scratches, e.g., avoid scrubbing sharp objects, regular sealing, and cleaning.
Polished Granite:
Polished granite has a smooth and completely poreless surface, which makes it less susceptible to scratches. Paper towels and soft fabrics are sufficient to wipe off stains and spills from the surface. But, you need to stay cautious and avoid cutting directly on the countertop surface. Other than that, use of hard bristle brushed for cleaning is also not recommended since they can cause scratches.
Polished vs Honed Granite: Stain Resistance
The texture and surface makes polished and hone granite more or less stain resistant.
Polished Granite:
Polished surfaces are known for their slippery touch, poreless surface, and smoothness, which keeps them stain-free. So, a polished granite also shows similar features. For example, a polished granite countertop, especially brown and black ones, are almost impossible to stain. Using mild cleaner and the right sealer, you can make them stain-free for decades.
Honed Granite:
Honed granite has a textured surface, making it prone to stains. It is good at hiding scratches, but not the stains. The spills like fats, foods, oils, sauces have a high level of acidity that can form stains. Other than that, they can occupy the pores and ultimately stain the surface. For dark spots you can use color enhancers but regular kitchen cleaning is appreciated to avoid stain formation in the first place.
Honed vs. Polished Granite: Cost
The cost depends on a number of factors, i.e., size, thickness, design, origin and availability of stone.
polished Granite:
The cost of polished granite is assumed to be more than honed, but that’s not true. In some cases, it costs way less than honed granite and vice versa. If you want to estimate the price range, then it would be somewhere between $30 and $56 per sq. foot. It can be more or less, depending on the type of granite you might select and also the thickness of the stone.
Honed Granite:
The cost of honed granite is mostly more than polished one. The reason is that it is specially made depending on client requirements, while polished granite is mostly readily available. The estimated price range is between $35 and $100 per sq. foot. The price can vary based on the complexity of the design and other factors.
Choose Your Finish: Ask Yourself!
The look, maintenance, and cleaning requirements help you choose which finish you need. Stay relaxed and ask yourself:
- Do you want your space to feel natural and soft or sleek and glossy?
- Are you okay with more maintenance for a more natural look?
- Will the surface be in a high-traffic area where smudges or water spots might be an issue?
Final Words—Always Choose the Best!
Polished and honed granite are like the two versions of the same stone. The only difference is one is shiny and the other is matte. Other than that, there are some differences in their resistance capabilities and maintenance requirements. Both are a durable choice, making them ideal to be used as countertops, vanities, walls, and staircases. You can choose one depending on your requirements and design preferences. For example, if you are attracted by shiny surfaces, polished granite is for you. However, if you don’t want that, you can switch to the other option.
Want to explore all the latest versions of polished and honed granite? Contact us at SK Stones USA or visit our showroom to view our collection in person today!
Read More: Solid Surface Countertops vs Quartz Countertops: Which Is Best?, A Classic Combination: White Cabinets And Soapstone Countertops Palm Beach
