Granite is a popular supplies for counter tops, notably polished and honed granite. These two granite finishes are incessantly seen in kitchens and usually in bogs. Now though, a particular type of granite is gaining status—leathered granite.
Leathered granite, as a result of the title suggests, has a textured, matte finish very similar to leather-based. It’s sturdiness, easy maintenance, and customizability are exactly why this countertop supplies is gaining recognition.
Study on to hunt out out all about leathered granite and whether or not or not it may probably be the right choice to your home.
What Is Leathered Granite?
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Whereas polished granite has a shiny, reflective flooring, every leathered granite and honed granite have the identical matte finish—nonetheless that’s the place the similarities end. Honed granite has a clear flooring whereas leathered granite has a textured flooring that features small dips and crevices, giving this countertop loads of character and a rustic look.
Whereas all leathered granite has a textured finish, the amount of texture is completely customizable to non-public want which means leathered granite can go from being very flippantly textured to very intently textured. The technique used for leathering helps highlight the stone’s pure magnificence and closes the stones pores, making leathered granite further proof towards stains.
How Is Leathered Granite Made?
- Polished granite is buffed with diamond abrasives until it has a extreme shine.
- Honed granite goes by the use of part of this sharpening course of nonetheless stops in want of making shine, resulting in a clear flooring with a matte or satin finish.
- Leathered granite is first polished as a lot as the identical degree as honed granite, after which a diamond tipped brush is run all through your full flooring to create the dimpled, textured finish.
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Does Leathered Granite Value Further?
As a premium supplies, all granite counter tops are on the pricier facet; of the three sorts of granite, leathered granite usually costs barely further because of the extra technique of giving the granite the textured finish.
That talked about, leathered granite offers a singular look and is common further sturdy and easier to maintain up than completely different sorts of granite. So whereas the upfront worth is further, there are benefits, too.
Leathered Granite Cleaning and Repairs Issues
Though leathered granite is the very best to handle, it nonetheless does need some maintenance and upkeep. Listed under are the need-to-know execs and cons as regards to cleaning and maintenance:
- Regularly cleaning could also be very low maintenance with the ground needing solely a quick wipe down with some light countertop cleaner and water.
- Leathering tightens the pores of the stone making it a lot much less porous, which means spills are a lot much less susceptible to penetrate the ground.
- In distinction to polished granite, the matte, textured flooring of leathered granite implies that points like fingerprints, smudges and water marks are far a lot much less susceptible to be seen.
- The dips and crevices by their very nature will lure mud, crumbs and liquids, though this does depend on the extent of texture—rougher finishes will naturally lure further grime whereas smoother finishes will most likely be easier to wipe clear. A small brush is useful to scoop out any grime that collects.
- Granite is known for being heat resistant and leathered granite is not any exception.
- Like all types of granite, leathered granite requires defending sealing, nonetheless you gained’t should re-seal as sometimes as you do the other sorts of granite.
FAQ
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Whereas the textured flooring of leathered granite has many benefits, it moreover comes with a greater potential for chipping or scratching. That talked about, that’s solely susceptible to happen with heavy use or by dropping heavy objects on the ground.
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Leathered granite is actually essentially the most forgiving of all the three granite surfaces as regards to the visibility of frequently marks. The material is proof towards points like water marks, finger marks, smudges and frequently stains. Solely a simple every day wipe of the ground is ample to protect it wanting clear.