Which Finish Is Right for Your Stone Kitchen Countertop? (4 Options)

Are you thinking of giving your kitchen, bathroom, or bar a facelift via a natural stone countertop but unsure which finish to pick? Designing your stone countertop with the right finish helps with its durability, resistance to heat and moisture, and aesthetic appeal.

There are many finishes available, each with its own characteristics and purpose. So, selecting the right finish is just as important as the material you choose, as it helps determine how functional the surface will be. For instance, a polished surface reflects lights, whereas a honed one is anti-slip.

Keep reading to explore some of the best finish options and learn how to choose the perfect one for your countertop.

4 Types of Stone Finish That You Should Know About

There are several finishes available for stone surfaces, including polished, honed, flamed and sandblasted. Choosing the right finish not only accentuates the beauty of the stone but increases its usability and performance. Let’s explore these finish options and discuss how to choose the best one.

1. Polished Finish 

This is the most common finish. Abrasive treatments, like mechanically rubbing the surface with diamond pads, are used to polish stone until a shiny layer is revealed. This method creates a gleaming surface with nearly no porosity while increasing resistance. This finish puts the stone’s natural veining and colours on full display.

For example, if you buy a granite kitchen countertop and want a classy, luxurious look, consider selecting a polished finish. It will showcase the stone’s natural beauty and add elegance to your space. This glossy finish will also create a smooth, uniform effect.

2. Honed Finish

If you are looking for a matte, non-reflective finish to give your kitchen countertop a cleaner, more modern appearance, go with a honed finish.

It is the most classic of finishes for marble, limestone, and most other types of natural stone. It has less reflection and shine than a polished finish, creating a smooth yet muted surface. You achieve a honed finish by using an abrasive to grind and sand the stone’s surface down to an even, non-glossy, satin-smooth look.

It can create a relaxed, casual vibe while retaining the elegant and contemporary character of the stone. It will not reveal its colour and texture because it has little reflection and will leave the surface less slippery than a polished finish. It is moisture-resistant but not so much as a polished finish.

3. Flamed Finish

If you are fond of the rustic style, you may consider flamed finishes to get a rough, slightly bumpy, and textured surface.

This finish is applied to natural stone surfaces such as granite and basalt. The finish is achieved by exposing the stone to a very hot flame and then cooling it naturally to cause the crystals within to expand and burst. This creates a rough surface with a unique, natural-looking finish.

This finish can also make the countertop less slippery when wet. You can choose this finish for aesthetic reasons or for other practical purposes, like increasing its durability and resistance to scratches and stains.

Additionally, the flamed finish can enhance natural variations in the stone’s colour and patterns. This makes it a good option for those looking for a more natural, organic aesthetic.

4. Sandblasted Finish

There are varying degrees of a sandblasted finish; from coarse to fine. A coarse sandblasted finish is lighter, while a fine sandblasted finish is darker. Once sandblasted, the stone is left with very small craters on the surface, resulting in a silky, matte appearance.

When executing this finishing process on a stone kitchen countertop, a high-pressure stream of abrasive materials, such as sand, is directed at the surface of the stone. This creates a textured, matte finish that can add a unique, rustic appearance to your countertop.

Sandblasting can also be used to remove stains, etchings, or other imperfections from the stone’s surface, resulting in a more uniform, polished look. Additionally, it can make the surface more slip-resistant. Some people may choose this finish for its matte, non-reflective surface, which hides fingerprints and stains. It also helps by adding grip to the surface, making it less slippery and easier to maintain. Additionally, sandblasting can create unique patterns and designs on your countertop, adding visual interest to the kitchen.

5. How to Choose the Right Stone Finish

When choosing the finish for your stone countertop, keep both beauty and practicality in mind. If you want to accentuate the beauty of a natural stone’s colour and texture, go for a polished finish; it will highlight its best attributes. If you are concerned about durability, select a honed or flamed finish to make it more lasting. It is also more resistant to wear and tear than a polished finish and requires less maintenance. Consider all these factors when choosing the right finish for your kitchen countertop. If you have difficulty choosing the perfect finish, contact the experts at MaxSpace Stone Works. They can make sure you choose the right finish for your project within your budget.