Natural stone is such a great material to work with because you have so many options for each property. There is a range of materials, colors, patterns, textures, and finishes. So, even using the same type of stone you can achieve lots of different looks and styles.
One trend for granite that has been growing in popularity recently is the leather finish. Read on to find out more about this design and whether or not it’s right for your countertops.
What is leather finish granite?
There are three main choices when it comes to the finish of your granite countertops – polished for a smooth and glossy appearance, honed for another smooth finish but with less shine than polished granite, and then leathered for a more textured finish. Polished has always been the favorite, but the other two options are surging in popularity, especially honed for marble surfaces and leathered for granite.
The leathered texture is achieved during the finishing process, where the stone is treated with a diamond-crusted brush. This chips away at some of the surface and leaves behind the natural contours of the stone. This process can be applied to different extents, able producing a varied degree of smoothness or roughness to leathered stone. The granite can still be sealed after this process is complete.
Advantages and disadvantages of leathered granite
One of the main talking points of leathered granite is the aesthetic that it produces. This could either be a pro or a con depending on your tastes and the style you are looking for. The texture produces a really unique look that’s full of character, bringing out the natural colors and shape of the original stone. This can create a rustic look that really draws the eye. Of course, this may not be to everyone’s tastes, but it can produce a wonderful aesthetic.
A definite advantage of the leathered texture is that it hides imperfections much easier than a polished finish. Spills, stains, scratches, and fingerprints are less likely to be visible thanks to the textured appearance, meaning you don’t have to wipe down your surfaces as often as with the other finishes. Leathered granite is slightly easier to scratch than polished stone, but this can be mitigated by sealing the granite.
The stone will also have tighter pores as a result of the leathering process compared to polishing, which can help to resist staining and improve hygiene. Although the smooth finish of polished or honed granite may be slightly easier to clean than leathered granite, this difference is minimal.
Are you all for leathered granite countertops? Get in touch if you need help with designing, installing, or sealing countertops around Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point, or Kernersville, or visit our showroom in Kernersville to see our range of stone in person.
