Quartz countertops are great if you’re looking for something durable and non-porous because natural stones are infamously porous and you have to seal them regularly. But did you know that quartz kitchen countertops have types of finishes? Two most common finishes of quartz are honed and polished. Here is a comparison between these two quartz countertop finishes.
The Surface
First things first, you have to understand the difference between honed and polished quartz countertops. If it’s your first-time getting countertops for your kitchen, then you’re bound to get confused by the sheer amount of options. Let’s make it simple for you.
Honed quartz countertops are countertops that have a slightly glossy finish. They’re very understated and neutral and they’re also known as matte countertops. If you like the appearance of light-absorbing surfaces that don’t hurt your eyes with a blaring glare, then honed quartz countertops will be right up your alley. You will love the look of these countertops in your kitchen, especially combined with the right décor.
Polished quartz countertops are exactly what they sound like. They’re countertops with a highly reflective surface. They make the light bounce off in different directions and add more illumination to the room. Polished surfaces are also loved by a ton of people and they just love the shiny and smooth surface of the countertops, which makes this finish downright irresistible. If you’re more skewed to polished and shiny surfaces, then you will love polished quartz, because this quartz finish is out of this world.
Maintenance
Maintenance is a really important thing to talk about, especially when it comes to countertops. When you’re choosing a material for your kitchen, you want it to be low on the maintenance side of things, because it’s not smart to spend all of your time and money on maintaining and taking care of the material.
Honed quartz countertops are a bit more heavy on the maintenance side of things because they’re not naturally shiny. The matte surface will absorb all of the light instead of reflecting it. This can accentuate any damage or uneven surface on the countertops, which can be unpleasant to look at. There is also an issue of fingerprints and smudges showing on honed quartz countertops and cleaning them over and over again can be a nightmare, to say the least.
Polished quartz countertops are a breeze to maintain. Thanks to their polished and highly reflective surface, polished quartz can bounce off light, diverting attention from any scratches that may be present on the surface. It also doesn’t leave any hand smudges on the surface either, because of the slippery shiny finish, making it a much better option.
When it comes to colors, neutral colors are low maintenance than dark or white countertops.
Availability
The next order of importance is the availability of each finish. Let’s face it; no matter how much you adore a certain finish, regardless of the material, if it’s not easily available, then what’s the point?
Honed quartz countertops are not easily available. They are made on order because this finish is achieved by shaving the surface down to reveal a minimally shiny, more matte look. There are also quite a few retailers of honed quartz countertops, so you won’t have a lot of variety to pick and choose from, which is kind of sad, considering that quartz is a pretty popular kitchen countertop material among people.
Polished quartz countertops are available readily and almost all retailers have some sort of variety, if not more, in this finish. Generally, the natural finish of quartz is polished, so there’s no need to go the extra mile to hone the surface, for it to look more matte. Owing to the polished surface of quartz, there also isn’t any possibility of smudges and scratches showing, because the reflection acts as an excellent camouflage for any imperfections on the surface.
So, if you’re still on the fence about whether honed or polished quartz countertops are better, then this factor will certainly help you pick a side.
Which Finish Is More Natural?
As mentioned above, honed quartz countertops aren’t naturally matte. They need to be made matte and minimal, by sanding or shaving the upper reflective surface off. This is a finish that a lot of people love, but they typically don’t know this crucial piece of information.
Polished quartz countertops, on the other hand, are what natural quartz countertops look like. There’s no need to prep them in advance and you can buy them as they are, have them fabricated by a quartz countertop contractor Potomac, and set them in the kitchen. Pretty hard to beat ease, isn’t it?
Stain & Scratch Resistance
Another really important thing to go over when choosing a specific finish for countertops is the fact that it’s going to be scratch and stain-resistant or not. Quartz countertops are normally quite strong and durable and they can resist scratches and stains like normal. However, when finishes are added to the equation, things can be a bit different. Let’s find out how:
Honed quartz countertops are shaved from the topmost surface, which gives them their characteristic matte look. However, it’s not always the best, because the matte and rough surface is the perfect place for stains to become permanent. The matte surface isn’t able to prevent fluids from penetrating inside the material and this, in turn, causes stains to form. The same goes for scratches. Honed quartz can be scratched pretty easily, because of its unprotected and rather soft matte surface.
Polished quartz countertops can be a blessing in disguise. These countertops can endure scratches from deepening, thanks to the added slippery surface of the material, which isn’t shaved away, as it is in honed quartz. Because of this fact, polished quartz countertops are also able to prevent stains from becoming permanent. The polished layer of quartz acts like a built-in sealant that allows water or other fluids to bead up on the surface, rather than getting absorbed.
Price
The price also plays a huge role in determining whether a countertop and material finish is even worth considering, let alone buying. Honed quartz countertops are generally a bit more expensive because there is an added step in the fabrication process that involves making the surface of the countertop matte.
On the flipside, polished quartz countertops are less expensive than their honed counterparts, because there’s no step involved in refining the finish. Quartz is already shiny, so all the fabricator needs to do is take the measurements, cut it into your desired shape, and call it a day.
Which Quartz Finish Is Better?
This question doesn’t have a definitive answer. It all boils down to what you want for your kitchen. Some people, regardless of the few demerits, go for honed quartz countertops, because they love the rustic and less-shiny finish. Similarly, other people adore the look and appeal of polished quartz countertops. So, you’re going to have to see which group you belong to. Do your research and look at the materials in person. You’ll get a good idea.
Conclusion
Whether you want to go for polished quartz or honed quartz, this guide has you covered from the front to the back. Now all that’s left to do is make a choice and consult a quartz countertop installer Rockville.