Granite and marble are both naturally-occurring rocks mined from deep within the earth's crust. Granite and marble are known for their attractive qualities and are most commonly used for construction, design and artistic purposes. This however, is where their similarities end.
Granite is quarried worldwide, but countries including Norway, Brazil, Spain and the United States are known for producing commercial amounts of granite deposits.
In its stone form, granite is known for its durability and its resistance to scratches and stains.
Granite is an igneous rock made up of minerals including quartz, feldspar and mica. These minerals contribute to the beautiful appearance of granite, as well as aiding in its strength.
Since granite is less prone to staining and scratches, which is more apt to happen to marble, and is less susceptible to heat damage, granite is typically the first choice of material used within kitchens and bathrooms, especially for countertops.
There are three main types of granite finishes, including honed, polished and satin.
Honed Granite
Honed granite has a matte-like appearance, with essentially no reflection. When done by a professional granite manufacturer, honed granite will have no scratch marks. Honed granite has a very flat appearance with minimal depth of colour, making it ideal for floors where a slippery, shiny finish is not wanted. A major benefit of honed granite, and partly what makes it ideal for flooring, is that even when wet, it is not slippery. Additionally, foot traffic has less of an impact on honed granite's finish.
Polished Granite
Polished finishes achieve a shiny, high-gloss appearance that is reflective in nature. Polished granite pieces display the rock's full depth of colour, as well as the crystal structure of the rock. This very popular finish is viewed as the smoothest and most exquisite type of granite finish.
Polished granite is ideal for countertops as it can be easily maintained and does not readily stain. The polished finish seals the pores of the granite surface, helping it to better fight against moisture and any other related damage. However, many confuse this to mean that a sealant is unnecessary. Some types of granite are more porous than others and a professional granite supplier will always recommend sealing granite slabs, as it will greatly improve the longevity of the piece. Polished granite and its finish and shine last for many years, especially when sealed properly.
Satin Granite
This type of finish is considered to be less traditional in terms of style and appearance. The satin finish of granite can be thought of as a "halfway point” between the polished finish and the honed finish. Often, satin finished granite pieces are described as having a slightly glossy appearance. It does not have the level of shine that polished finishes do, nor does it have the level of matte that honed finishes possess. It is the best of both worlds for individuals who prefer a middle-of-the-road option.