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honed vs. polished granite

14 years ago

I've read so many posts here that my mind is ajumble. I know what polished granite and honed granite look like, but it seems I read something negative about honed granite. Could that be true? What are the negatives and positives of honed vs. polished, especially blacks. Thanks in advance...

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Comments (6)

jeanteach
14 years ago
I have honed Jet Mist. I think it is more of a maintenance PITA. My in-laws have polished granite, and nothing shows up on it in terms of streaking of cleaners, water marks, etc. My granite needs to be babied a bit. It occasionally gets water ring marks (but I think that is because it was sealed before enhancer was applied) and it needs some extra drying after I clean it or else it sometimes looks streaky. On the other hand, it looks gorgeous - very soft and somehow more...touchable. Hope this helps.
busybme
14 years ago
I am making the same decision - honed versus polished. I would love to have the 'softness' of honed but am worried about the maintenance. I know myself well enough to know that I will not baby my countertops and need something fairly bulletproof.

Thanks for asking this question!

Sandy
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Some granites do not need to be sealed (mine, for instance, does not), but Kashmir Whited does. It has an absorbency rated of 0.3-0.5% & will need to be sealed whether it's polished or honed. You should also check using vinegar, lemon juice, etc. (See the thread "Stone Information and Advice (& Checklists)" for more information on stone countertops.) Solid surface (e.g., Corian) may or may not be cheaper, it depends on what both it and your granite costs in your area. But, if you really like granite, I doubt you'll like solid surface...they're very different looks and solid surface is definitely not a "natural/soft stone look". B/c it's artificial, I picture it in modern kitchens more than traditional or even transitional. However, it's up to you, if you like Corian and other solid surfaces, then don't be afraid to use them...they're not a bad choice either. (There really aren't any "bad" choices...just what's a bad choice for you.) Here is a link that might be useful: Find Stone, page 1 of The World's Most Popular Granites
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Caddeau: If, as seems to be the case, you are back to debating between maple cabinets and cabinets painted a light color, here are some factors you may wish to take into consideration. 1. Natural light: You have a lovely big kitchen window and you will also have light coming in laterally from the new french doors. 2. Reflective properties of surfaces: You are accustomed to light-colored cabinets and counters, with slightly darker floors and appliances. This lightness would be somewhat diminished by maple cabinets and honed grey countertops. 3. Factors that can affect how bright a kitchen with wood cabinets seems: Direct your attention to sayde's recently posted in-process kitchen, linked below. The second photo is the charming "before" and the first is the unfinished but luminous "after." Same window, same natural light, same gumwood cabinets. But just look at the difference achieved by using fewer cabinets, adding a lovely sculptural hood, and changing from dark counters to honed marble. The difference seems to me to be amazing. 4. Cabinet height and arrangement: It looks to me as though there is a soffit over your current cabinets. If it can be dispensed with, you might want to look into 36" or (if there is room) 42" uppers. The top shelf will be useful for things not used daily, and the higher cabinets will not clash with the style of the house. Gaining the extra vertical storage might also give you more options for opening up the ranks of your uppers horizontally. 5. Think about how the kitchen will look from the DR: I replaced the DR wall with a peninsula in small house. I did not have such a nice large window to be the focal point of the kitchen from the DR, so I used a pair of really tall old cabinets to flank the window I do have. (Also, like you, I have a truncated peninsula -- not due to a hall closet but because of beat up chimney that). How this happened, as well as the idiosyncratic outcome, can be seen at https://picasaweb.google.com/109620537835698726512/KearneyKitchen?authkey=Gv1sRgCNXMkYi-5aL3xgE#. (I am including this because modest-sized kitchens tend to be under-represented in this forum and among inspiration photos. Many kitchens depicted here have islands nearly the size of my kitchen and -- I suspect -- yours. The challenges posed are quite different.) 6. Finished kitchens blog: the kitchens at http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com/2009/11/mrao77s-kitchen.html and http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com/2007/01/outwests-kitchen.html illustrate not only the different effects of lightish vs brighter maple, but also how the massing of wood surfaces makes a difference in the apparent space of the kitchen. Whew, and cheers. Here is a link that might be useful: sayde's unfinished kitchen.
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Colonial White not honed. That would look best and keep things monochromatic and let the floor stand out since it has a lot of personality. Seal with Turtle Wax paste! Yes, that is what I have found works extremely well. No fuss, no muss. Black shows a lot of crumbs, dust and if you want to do it, put it on the back counter and do the Colonial White on the front counter. Works with any decorating scheme. Do a simple eased edge as well. In some settings, with some granites, I like the honed, but for your purposes I don't think it is the best choice. Works better with Jet Mist Granite to simulate Soapstone. Go with Colonial White.
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not all granite need/want to be sealed; however, I suspect most of the 'whiteish' ones do need to be sealed - you might want to consider soapstone also
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boxerpups
14 years ago
Jeanteach said it to perfection.
I too, have Jet Mist honed. I love it.
I do not have the PITA issues. I guess because I strangely
like to clean my counters. I made my own cleaner with
alcohol (no not the kind for martinis) rubbing alcohol
mixed with water and one or two drops of scented oil. I
have never had finger marks with my granite. I do have
the ocassional butter mark from some nimwhit who did not
wipe up their toast or a bit of oil from salad dressing
but it cleans off easily.

A polished granite is going to be slightly easier to clean
but an Absolute Black polished has issues of finger marks.
Kind of like a stainless steel refrig.

Both polished or honed if sealed is fairly easy to care
for. Polished is said to provide better protection over
elements like red wine, vinegar, oil, lemon... But in
truth a good installer will have your honed granite sealed
at the factor and again when installed.

The Granite GURUS can explain this better.

I wanted a soft flat matte finish look to my country
white cabinet kitchen. A substitute for the soapstone that
is so popular. Jet mist is perfect for me. But if you like
high gloss, polished, the feeling of shiny jewels you will
love a polished granite. My older sister could never go
honed. She also has a big rock on her hand. : )
~boxer
lindalp
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you so much for your replies. They totally answered my question. I saw the honed jet mist in one of your kitchens and LOVED IT! It's exactly what I want, however, maintenance is not my forte'!
Thank you again for your help, it's much appreciated.
mondragon
14 years ago
I liked the idea of honed, worried that polished would look too formal. We got a stone with a lot of movement so you don't see the reflectivity of it very much, or even if there are streaks when We clean it. Sometimes I have to run my hnd over it to make sure it's clean. It's really low maintenance.
jeanteach
14 years ago
Boxerpups and I both LOVE our honed Jet Mist! She wrote a wonderful description of it a while back, which included the image of powdered sugar...
I, too, like to clean my counters. My husband has said many times that he only wishes I rubbed and buffed him as much as I do my granite. And I have taken boxerpups' advice and made my own alcohol and water cleaner (with a bit of tangerine essential oil), which I love. If you really like the honed look I don't think you will mind a bit more maintenance.

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