It is crucial to choose the appropriate worktop finish since it may make or break the overall appearance of your kitchen. Most homeowners prefer the shiny, smooth, and glass-like gloss of polished quartz worktops.
Polished Quartz Countertops
Unless the stone has a natural sheen, a polished worktop is created by polishing the surface with tiny abrasives. A polished quartz worktop reflects light and has a lustrous shine to it. These light-reflecting countertop surfaces are ideal for boosting small rooms by increasing light and making a place look more prominent. This finish is excellent for giving any contemporary or classic house a rich look. It also provides the tabletop with bacteriostatic protection by making it non-porous, preventing germs and bacteria from penetrating.
Honed Quartz Countertops
A matte quartz countertop, also known as a honed quartz worktop, is a non-shiny surface. Many people like a honed kitchen worktop because it hides smudges and fingerprints better. This specific quartz surface treatment also aids in the concealment of certain trash and crumbs. A black quartz countertop, similar to black granite with a honed surface, is a great way to add dimension to a modern kitchen design.
Differences between Honed and Polished Quartz
The distinctions between polished and honed quartz worktops are as follows:
1. Appearance
The quantity of light that polished and honed granite countertops can reflect is the fundamental variation in look. While a polished worktop might reflect the most light into a space, a honed surface reflects little to none.
Another distinction is that a polished countertop may quickly display smudges and fingerprints on its surface, unlike matte worktops. This is the case because smudges and fingerprints are caused by oil, which has the same sheen as the polished worktops.
2. Maintenance
Another notable distinction between these two finishes is the level of care required. The polished quartz worktops need extra care when it comes to wiping off smudges and fingerprints. However, this is not the case with honed quartz, which can readily hide unsightly smudges and fingerprints.
3. Resistance to Stains
The porous surface of honed quartz makes your worktop more susceptible to stains. On the other hand, the polished quartz countertops are non-porous and exceptionally stain-resistant, requiring no sealant treatment or sealing at all. However, just because a polished workbench has a non-porous surface does not mean you may keep liquids (particularly acidic drinks like lemon, soda, etc.) on it overnight. It simply means that you have more time to wipe up spills before making a permanent impression on the countertop surface due to dried food or spillage.
4. Availability
Compared to matte quartz worktops, polished quartz worktops are more widely accessible. Due to incredible demand, older models of quartz worktops were only available in a glossy surface. However, a growing number of homeowners are requesting matte finishes. As a result, its availability has increased in recent years.
5. Affordability
Worktops made of quartz are naturally gleaming, so there are no additional expenditures. Because it is a common natural type of polished quartz that does not require significant processing.
The matte worktop or honed finish, on the other hand, is created after the polished surface is removed, which requires further processing and construction. As a result, depending on the fabricator’s fees, the honed quartz surface might be rather pricey.
Read More: Guide for hiring a countertops fabricator.
