There are countless countertop materials out there. But granite is in everyone’s hearts. It’s for a good reason though. Granite is one of the strongest, most durable rocks out there, so it’s only fitting to get granite countertops for your kitchen too. But, did you know that there are different types of granite finishes? Well, here is everything you need to know about leathered granite.

What Is Leathered Granite?

What do you think of when you hear the word “leathered”? It’s probably something similar to leather. The look, the feel, the texture. But, how does the “leathered look” translate onto a solid rock that is in no way near actual leather?

Leathered granite is actually a very unique finish of granite. It is matte and it has a natural texture. You know how some finishes are smooth to the touch. They have no ridges or bumps or anything. Well, leathered granite has all of the natural texture, but in a really good and satisfying way.

Leathered granite is made by the help of a diamond-tipped brush that buffs the surface until the granite is matte and has a very rough but really interesting texture. This procedure doesn’t just produce a leathered finish, it also makes the stone less porous, since the remnants of the stone naturally close the pores, which is amazing.

Features & Qualities Of Leathered Granite

So, now that you know what leathered granite is and how it’s made, here are some characteristics of this material.

It Is High Maintenance

If you thought that regular granite is high maintenance, then you have no idea how demanding leathered granite is. It is one of the hardest stones to maintain because you want to clean and take care of them in a way that doesn’t wreck the leathered finish, which is honestly the whole reason why this type of granite finish is popular.

It Is Expensive

Another blow to the perfect leathered granite image has to do with its pricing. Polished or regular granite is less expensive than leathered granite. Leathered granite has a lot of work that goes into it to make it that perfect finish, so you can expect that it will be very expensive.

You’re dealing with a material that is textured using a diamond-tipped buffing tool. This detail alone amps up the price of the stone by several notches. So, it is an expensive investment, but it’s well worth it in the end.

Amazing Stain Resistance

If you think that leathered granite will suck water in like a sponge, then you’re half wrong. While leathered granite is still porous and you will need to seal it to give it that extra protection, it fights and resists stains like a pro.

A lot of people think that matte surfaces lead to stains and while that’s true, leathered granite isn’t just matte. It is also textured. So, the combination of the two makes this material naturally stain resistant, which is amazing in a place like the kitchen because you’re working with many foods and ingredients and stains are kind of a norm. So, getting a leathered granite slab for your kitchen peninsula or island is a good idea.

Rustic Look

The textured look of leathered granite is just something that you can’t help but fall in love with. Some people think that matte finishes are boring and they tend to go for those very shiny and polished surfaces. But leathered granite is completely different from matte granite.

The slight texture and the natural bumpy feel of the material add a lot of dimension to the rather flat and unimpressive material and it makes for a wonderful addition in the kitchen that doesn’t only look spectacular, but it also feels amazing when you run your hands along it. You can consult a granite contractor Potomac to get leathered granite countertops.

It Can Scratch

Where leathered granite is amazing, it can also have a few downsides and a lot of it has to do with the matte texture itself. Since the material is buffed relentlessly to give it that textured finish, it compromises the strength and the overall longevity of the material. Matte surfaces will scratch very easily and it’s something that is a huge bummer.

Granite is naturally a very strong material, but thanks to the buffing and the matte look, even the smallest and lightest of scratches will show on the surface. This makes leathered granite not so great. However, you can try to remove scratches from your granite countertops.

Smudge Resistant

Polished granite is great and all, until it gets mottled with fingerprints everywhere on the surface. This is something that a lot of people struggle with when they’re dealing with high shine surfaces. Well, you know the one thing leathered granite hides like a pro? Smudges. It keeps the surfaces looking spotless and thanks to the non-reflective matte surface and the bumpy texture, smudges will be a no-show, which is amazing.

The last thing you need is a material that looks like it is a compilation of handprints on the surface, which might sound artsy but is anything but.

How To Clean & Take Care Of Leathered Granite?

Leathered granite is a bit different when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. Here is everything you need to know.

Regular Cleaning

When it comes to daily cleaning, leathered granite isn’t as demanding. You don’t need to go all out and use those specialty cleaners for your countertops. This is where a lot of people tend to complicate things. Just use simple dish soap that is gentle and not too harsh. Mix it in with water and use a wet rag to clean the countertops. That’s all you need to clean the countertops on a daily basis.

When you’re done, make sure to dry the countertops, because you don’t want the water to sit on top of the surface and become splotchy.

Deep Cleaning

Do you have a pesky stain on your precious leathered countertops that isn’t coming off? Well, even though leathered granite is essentially stain resistant, a few stubborn stains can find their way on the surface of the countertops. Well, for this, it’s an easy fix and all you need for this is a bit of baking soda.

You want to make a pasty solution with water and apply it directly on the stain while it’s still frizzing. Then, you want to use a toothbrush and gently buff the stain away. It will disappear like it was never even there before.

Sealing Is A Must

If you don’t want to scrub your countertops to get rid of stains, then this is something that you have to do to save yourself from the trouble. You need to seal the countertops.

Even though leathered countertops are way less porous than regular granite, that doesn’t mean that they’re completely non-porous, so you want to save yourself from that extra work by getting them sealed. It will last you for a long time and it is going to keep the countertops looking brand new for longer, which is the ultimate goal.

Conclusion

Leathered granite is a wonderful finish and it will make your countertops and kitchen look unique. You’ll just have to try it to see the results for yourself. If you want to install a leathered granite slab or want to look at various granite finishes to decide the right one for your kitchen, then get in touch with granite installers Rockville.