There are numerous benefits associated with marble countertop materials, and one such benefit is the customization available. Marble is extremely malleable during fabrication, meaning you have control over everything from edge details to finish types and much more when it comes to crafting your perfect countertops.
At Creative Granite & Design, we’re proud to offer a variety of marble countertops in addition to our custom granite countertops and other solid surface countertops. As we noted, finish type is one common area you have some control over, and will impact both the appearance and the performance of the marble slab you choose for your new countertop. Today’s blog will detail the three most common marble finish types, plus some general care tips for your marble countertops regardless of which finish you select.
Polished Marble
For those looking for the smoothest, most reflective surface possible for their marble countertops, the polished marble finish is often the way to go. It’s created through a process that involves grinding, buffing and polishing, all of which help create an extremely reflective surface that shows off the color and veining of the marble slab you’ve chosen.
In addition, polished marble finish is known to be the least porous of the common finishes. This means it’s not as prone to staining as other types might be, though it also means marks like scratches, fingerprints or etching might be more visible – for this reason, the care items we’ll go over at the end of this blog are of particular importance with polished surfaces.
Honed Marble
Honed marble, on the other hand, is manufactured using a sanding and grinding process that creates a flat, smooth slab. Rather than a reflective look, though, honed marble creates a matte look, with a powdery surface. These countertops are great for a classic feel, plus will not show etches or scratches nearly as easily. However, they’re also more porous than polished options and may be more susceptible to staining.
Leathered Marble
Finally, leathered marble is so named because of a textured surface that almost feels like leather. It comes with more depth than honed marble, without the shine of polished options. Leathered marble is less porous than honed marble, and also does very well hiding scratches or fingerprints.
Marble Care Tips
Regardless which of these finish options you choose, taking proper care of your marble countertop is vital to maintaining its appearance and lifespan. Regularly seal your porous surface, especially if you have a honed marble finish that’s particularly porous. Wash regularly with soap and water – do not use abrasive cleaners that might scratch the surface, and avoid acids that will etch the stone.
For more on choosing the right finish for your marble countertops, or to learn about any of our custom granite countertop options, speak to the staff at Creative Granite & Design today.
