Leathered Granite Countertops - Colors, Durability, and Cost
While designing the perfect kitchen for your home, choosing the right countertops is very important. The countertops set the tone for the kitchen and combine functionality with style. While polished granite has long been a popular choice, a newer trend is rising in kitchen design, which is leathered granite countertops. But are granite leathered countertops the best option for your kitchen? Let’s find out what makes leathered granite special.
What Are Leathered Granite Countertops?
Leathered granite countertops combine the natural beauty of granite with a unique, matte, textured finish. Creating leathered granite involves brushing the stone's surface with a diamond-tipped brush to give it a tactile feel. This process improves the stone’s natural patterns and colors and makes them look less shiny, which gives it more depth and a contemporary look. The result is a countertop that maintains the elegance of granite but with a distinctive, luxurious, and earthy texture.
Unlike polished granite, which has a high-gloss finish, leathered granite countertops have a matte appearance with subtle ridges or textures that feel smooth to the touch but not glossy.
Designs and Styles in Leathered Granite
Granite can complement different kitchen styles. The granite countertop leather finish enhances the stone's natural veining and mineral inclusions, which creates an organic and raw aesthetic compared to polished granite. This makes it perfect for modern, rustic, and industrial design schemes, but it can also add elegance to traditional kitchens.
Some of the kitchen styles for leathered granite include:
Modern Kitchens: Leathered granite's texture pairs beautifully with minimalist designs and contemporary cabinetry.
Rustic Kitchens: Leathered granite's matte finish makes it an excellent choice for kitchens with wood accents, earthy colors, and natural materials.
Industrial Kitchens: For those who like the industrial style, leathered granite countertops give a rugged, sophisticated feel.
Traditional Kitchens: Leathered granite works surprisingly in more classic kitchens by giving a timeless update to conventional cabinetry and backsplashes.
Color Options in Leathered Granite Countertops
Leathered granite has various colors and patterns. There is a wide array of hues available in leather granite countertops that gives you plenty of options to choose from. Popular colors for leathered granite include:
Black: Black pearl leathered granite countertops are perfect for modern kitchens to add drama and sophistication to them.
White and Light Gray: A clean option that brightens up the space but still maintains the natural beauty of stone.
Brown and Tan: These warm tones give a welcoming feel to rustic or farmhouse kitchens.
Greens and Blues: Leathered granite can sometimes have subtle green or blue veining, which gives a distinctive touch, especially in more contemporary designs.
Beige and Gold: For a luxurious look, beige and gold blend well with a variety of cabinetry styles.
The color and pattern choices for countertops are based on the aesthetics of your kitchen, and the textured leathered finish gives more depth to each color, in a way that polished surfaces often can’t.
Leathered Granite vs. Other Granite Finishes
Using granite for your kitchen countertops gives you several finish options: polished, honed, and leathered. Here is how leathered granite compares to the other finishes:
Leathered Granite vs. Polished Granite
Polished granite is smooth and glossy with a mirror-like surface. It is easy to clean and looks sophisticated, but polished granite can show fingerprints, smudges, and water spots more easily. Leathered granite, on the other hand, is matte, so it doesn’t show smudges and water spots as clearly. It also offers a more textured feel, while polished granite looks formal.
Leathered Granite vs. Honed Granite
Honed granite has a smooth, matte finish, but its texture is more uniform than that of leathered granite. It lacks the soft texture and depth that leathered granite provides. While both finishes offer a similar matte look, leathered granite’s texture gives more of a rustic or natural vibe, whereas honed granite has a more subtle, flat finish.
Leathered Granite vs. Quartz
Quartz countertops are engineered, which means they can mimic granite in terms of appearance but with less maintenance. Leathered granite is a natural stone, and while it requires some upkeep, it has unique patterns and colors that quartz can’t match. However, quartz is more stain-resistant than granite and is easier to maintain.
Durability of Leather Finish Granite Countertops
Leather-finish granite countertops are highly durable. The textured surface adds resistance to scratches, stains, and fingerprints. Unlike polished granite, the leathered finish hides smudges and water spots. Additionally, its slightly rough texture provides better grip, which reduces the risk of accidental slips with objects. With proper sealing, a granite countertop leather finish can maintain its strength and appearance for decades.
Cost of Leathered Granite Countertops
Leathered granite is priced similarly to polished granite, although the cost can vary depending on factors such as the stone's rarity and the finish's complexity. On average, pay between $50 and $100 per square foot for leathered granite countertops, with installation costs adding to the final price.
While leathered granite can be more expensive than options like laminate or tile, it is usually more affordable than marble or quartzite. Given its durability and aesthetic appeal, leathered granite is excellent for people who want a long-lasting and stylish countertop material.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Leathered granite is more resistant than polished granite due to its matte texture. But it still needs some care and maintenance. Like all granite, leathered granite should be sealed periodically. Although leathered granite is durable, use cutting boards and avoid dragging heavy objects across the surface.
Conclusion
Leathered granite countertops are perfect for individuals who want the timeless elegance of granite with a unique twist. Their textured finish, rich color options, and increased durability make leathered granite perfect for a modern kitchen. Their visual appeal, low maintenance in terms of smudges, and resilience to wear and tear make them an excellent choice for many homeowners.
