No matter how you look at them, honed quartzite countertops can provide a complete design renovation of your place. By themselves, quartzite slabs offer a wide pool of options when it comes to color, visual pattern, thickness, and finishes – the last of which include leathered, polished, and honed. What do you need to know about these products when faced with this plethora of variations, then?
Well, you are going to find out in this article! Keep reading to find out the details behind honed quartzite and what it can offer to your interior design.
Read as well: The best quartzite countertops available
What are honed quartzite countertops?
If you are looking for impeccable style in your home aesthetics, a quartzite slab with a honed finish is a step in the right direction.
Honed quartzite countertops are quartzite slabs that have been honed to achieve a specific finish. As you can read in this article, quartzite is a metamorphic rock primarily known for its durability and resistance to heat, scratches, and etching – properties only highlighted by special finishes like honing.
The honing process involves grinding the surface of the quartzite to create a smooth, matte surface with a consistent appearance, removing the usual shine of natural stones. Unlike polished countertops (more on them in a bit), which have a glossy visual, honed quartzite countertops have a softer, more discreet look.
Don’t fool yourself, though; they are still highly durable and suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms, but over time they may require more frequent sealing to protect against stains due to the more porous nature of the honed stone.
Overall, honed quartzite countertops offer a unique aesthetic that can complement various design styles, from modern to traditional.
8 Benefits of honed quartzite countertops
With that being said, we’ve listed below 8 main advantages of investing in honed quartzite countertops for your home design. In comparison to other natural stones (such as granite) and even other variations of quartzite, these products offer:
- Natural beauty
Honed quartzite countertops highlight the innate beauty of the stone, showcasing its unique colors, patterns, and textures without the distraction of a glossy finish. This allows the natural characteristics of the quartzite to take center stage, creating a visually stunning focal point in any room.
- Durability
Quartzite is renowned for its durability, making it an excellent choice for countertops that endure daily wear and tear. Keep in mind that the honing process does not compromise its strength – in fact, it further ensures that honed quartzite countertops can withstand heat, scratches, and impacts for years to come.
- Timeless elegance
Their subtle sophistication exudes a timeless elegance that transcends trends. Whether used in a contemporary kitchen or a traditional bathroom, the appearance of honed quartzite adds a touch of refinement and sophistication to any space – even allowing you to add a faint splash of color here and there without creating too much of a contrast, which doesn’t hold true
- Stain resistance
While honed quartzite countertops may be slightly more porous than their polished counterparts, proper sealing helps protect against stains from spills and splatters. With regular maintenance and sealing, honed quartzite countertops can maintain their pristine appearance for years without succumbing to unsightly stains. And speaking of regular maintenance…
- Ease of maintenance
Maintaining honed quartzite countertops is relatively straightforward – requiring routine cleaning with mild soap and water. On top of periodic resealing, their surface gets protected from stains and serves as a beautiful and functional addition to any home.
- Versatility
Honed quartzite countertops are incredibly versatile, complementing a wide range of design styles and color palettes. Whether incorporated into a modern, minimalist kitchen wall or a rustic farmhouse-inspired bathroom, the stone seamlessly blends with various aesthetics, offering endless design possibilities.
- Distinctive appearance
Each slab of quartzite is inherently unique, characterized by its distinct veining, color variations, and natural imperfections. Honed quartzite countertops celebrate this individuality, creating one-of-a-kind seamless surfaces that add depth, character, and visual interest to interior spaces.
- Gentle price tag
On average, honed quartzite countertops may range from $60 to $150 per square foot for materials and installation – though the final price may vary depending on the quality of the stone, its rarity, availability, size of the slab, thickness, installation complexity, and geographic location. On the other hand, polished quartzite can cost around $70 to $200 per square foot, which gives the first the upper hand in terms of budget.
Honed quartzite or polished quartzite?
The main differences between honed and polished quartzite lie mostly in their appearance, texture, maintenance requirements, and suitability for various design preferences.
Honed quartzite features a matte or satin finish achieved by grinding the surface to a smooth, flat texture – this finish tends to subtly downsize the vibrant colors and patterns of the stone while minimizing glare and reflection. In contrast, polished quartzite boasts a glossy, reflective surface obtained through the grinding and buffing process, thus enhancing the stone’s vibrancy, depth, and luster, as well as giving it a more radiant and luxurious appearance.
Texture-wise, honed surfaces have a smooth, velvety texture that feels soft to the touch. This tactile quality adds warmth and tactility to the countertop, making it inviting and comfortable for daily use. On the other hand, polished surfaces are smooth and sleek, with a glass-like texture that feels cool and polished to the touch.
In terms of maintenance, honed surfaces are generally more prone to showing fingerprints, water spots, and minor surface imperfections compared to polished surfaces. However, honed quartzite typically requires less maintenance in terms of hiding imperfections and spillages, as minor blemishes blend into the matte finish. Polished quartzite may show scratches and etching more prominently, requiring regular upkeep to preserve its glossy appearance.
Read all about polished quartzite countertops in this other article.
Purchase the perfect honed quartzite countertops at Eagle Stones
So – have quartzite countertops conquered your heart yet? Honed or not, Eagle Stones is here to help you decide on the best stone for you.
If you live near Sarasota, Florida, we have the right catalog of quartzite countertops for you. We also work with various natural stones from all over the world – including granite and marble. We can even go to your home to give you a free estimate!
Get in contact with our team to start planning your home renovation today!
