7 things you must know about honed granite
Honed granite has become quite popular over the years due to it’s unique look. If you’ve never heard of honed granite, or you simply don’t know what this material specifically is, then you’ll want to introduce yourself to this amazing stone.
Honed granite is unpolished and has a very matte, low-gloss shine to it. This is different than polished granite which is known for its high-gloss shine. In addition to this, honed granite has a much more soft, natural feel than polished granite. Once you run the palm of your hand along the surface, you’ll understand.
Honed granite is a very popular choice with homeowners who are interested in that casual or aged look. It’s elegant, fashionable, and can even increase the overall value of your home by several thousands of dollars. Honed granite is definitely worth the investment. However, before you run out and purchase new honed granite countertops or flooring, there are a few things you should consider. With that being said, here are 7 things you must know about honed granite.
1) Honed granite has a very unique look
As previously mentioned, honed granite tends to have a very matte appearance. How is this done? Manufactures stop the finishing process just before the granite becomes shiny. As a result, you get that very plain, low-sheen look. This style of granite has become quite popular with homeowners due to it’s unique look. However, polished granite is still more popular and available than honed granite.
The thing that homeowners need to realize about honed granite is that both the color and the texture of the stone isn’t nearly as vibrant as polished granite. The natural detail of the stone simply won’t be as noticeable as it is with polished granite. So, if you’re truly interested in bright, bold colors, honed granite probably isn’t not for you.
Honed granite is available in a wide range of colors, but the blacks, grays, and the off-whites tend to be the most popular. If you’re wanting in incorporating honed granite into your home, make sure you go to your local showroom and see what they have to offer. Every slab of granite is different, so shop around and find the right countertop or flooring for your personal tastes. Never base your decision off a small sample.
2) Honed granite is better suited for floors
Although honed granite is used to make countertops, many homeowners choose to use this stone for their floors more than they do their countertops. Why? Honed granite isn’t as slick as polished granite. This means less slips and falls. In addition to this, many homeowners use honed granite as flooring due to the heavy foot traffic. Consistently walking on polished granite can diminish the shine quite quickly. By choosing honed granite, you won’t have to worry about losing that glossy look. Now, does that mean you can’t use honed granite for your countertops? Of course not.
3) Honed granite needs to be sealed
Honed granite is like polished granite in the fact that the stone needs to be sealed. Where they differ is the amount you have to seal them. Typically, polished granite needs to be sealed at least once a year. Honed granite is different. It’s recommended that you seal it every 2 to 3 months. Although this may seem like a lot of work, it’s a small price to pay for such a unique slab of granite.
Even though honed granite needs to be sealed more often than polished granite, you can still use the same kind of sealant on both. There are several fine sealant products sold at stores today, so finding a quality sealant shouldn’t be hard. If you’ve never sealed granite before, then you’ll want to follow these easy-to-use tips listed below:
- Use a soft cloth to apply your sealant.
- Your strokes should be long and slow instead of fast and sharp. Take your time and do it right.
- Always start with a light coat of sealant. This will promote proper absorption.
- Give your countertops or floors adequate time to dry before you add another coat.
- Lastly, it’s best to add more than one coat to ensure your surfaces have been properly sealed.
By properly sealing your honed granite countertops or your flooring, you’ll keep them looking great, and you’ll increase the overall lifespan. The best part? Honed granite countertops and flooring that have been taken care of won’t lose value.
4) Maintenance is important
Honed granite requires a lot more maintenance than polished granite. Besides having to be sealed every few months, honed granite has a much more porous surface than polished granite. This means that handprints, dust, grime, and even grease will be able to be seen quite easy, and sometimes they’ll be hard to remove from the surface. To keep them looking great, you’ll want to clean your stone regularly with warm water and a soft cloth. Make sure you dry your honed granite with a towel too. This will prevent unnecessary water spots.
5) Honed Granite can be stained
Like mentioned above, honed granite is much more porous than polished granite. Not only does dust, dirt, grease, and fingerprints stick to it easier, honed granite can be stained a lot easier too. Even if you seal your countertops and flooring like you’re suppose to, they can still be stained by things like acidity beverages, red wines, juices, and some sodas. Even certain foods can pose a threat to your honed granite. The best thing you can do is clean up spilled messes right away. Neglecting to do this can discolor the surface and can even leave black spots.
If you do happen to stain your honed granite, you can use a poultice to help remove the discoloration. Aqua Mix is a well-known brand that makes a quality poultice that’ll remove all kinds of stains from granite and other kinds of stone. Marble and Granite Care Products also makes a poultice that works wonders. These are just two of the many products sold in stores.
6) Honed granite can be scratched
Granite is a very tough material that doesn’t scratch easy, but because honed granite is softer, it can be scratched easier than polished granite. As mentioned earlier, honed granite is non-reflective, and as a result, it hides scratches and other imperfections much better than polished granite does. To keep your honed granite looking great for years to come, it’s best to avoid abrasives at all coats. This includes steel wool and tough-bristled brushes. In addition to this, you’ll also want to avoid using cleaners with bleach or acidity ingredients on the surface of your countertop.
7) Honed granite is more expensive than polished granite
Between honed and polished granite, it takes a lot more work to create polished granite. This is mainly due to the grinding process. Most people would think that polished granite would cost more due to the extra work it takes to make it. However, that’s not the case. The reason why honed granite costs more is because of its availability. So, what is the average cost of honed granite?
According to HGTV, honed granite can cost anywhere from $45 to $200 a square foot. The price is really based on the color of the material, the thickness of the slab, and the pattern of the rock. If you’re interested in saving a little cash, choose common colors instead of rare ones, request a thinner slab, and/or invest in tile instead of a full slab. By doing this, you’ll enjoy the elegance of granite while keeping costs low.
Final Thoughts
Honed granite is a very unique stone that goes well in kitchens with a casual or timeless look. Although polished granite is more popular, honed granite is a great choice for anyone who wants something a little different. However, before you go out and purchase new honed granite countertops or flooring, take into consideration that this stone is more expensive than polished granite, it can be both scratched and stained easier, and it has to be sealed twice as much to keep it in good condition. Lastly, always remember to figure installation costs into your budget. If you don’t have experience doing this yourself, then you’ll need to hire a professional to do it for you.
