Selecting the right countertop material is one of the more difficult decisions to make if you are designing your dream kitchen and one that you must make thoughtfully. Clarity is, quartz, is popular because it’s attractive, long-lasting, and low-maintenance and has become a material of choice for modern kitchens and bathrooms. But after you choose quartz, what’s next? The next question you need to ask is, will it be honed or polished?
Both of these have different visual and functional aspects. Sometimes knowing the obvious distinctions can help one make the right decision for their design. Whether you prefer the glossy veneer of polished quartz or the understated matte surface of honed quartz, each has their benefits and drawbacks. In this article, we will cover the pros and cons of honed vs. polished quartz, as well as the 5 differences that can help you in your ultimate decision.
At the end of this article, you will have a better perspective of what surface finish will suit your lifestyle and design intentions. Are you ready to choose the best countertop material for your kitchen? Well, let’s get started with the details about honed quartz advantages, polished quartz countertops, and beyond.
What Is Honed Quartz?
A honed quartz countertop is not glossy, but matte, soft, and velvety to the touch. When finished, honed quartz has been smoothed, but still has not reached a glossy finish, as the honing process is stopped before this occurs. This finish allows for a smooth surface, but a completely non-reflective surface, so the honed finish gives quartz surfaces a more understated and natural aesthetic-which is a good option for those who prefer a muted look instead of shiny.
Generally, honed finishes are commonly seen with modern and rustic kitchens that use an industrial design style, because honed quartz adds a touch of elegance, structure, and polish. Honed quartz can help create more relaxed and timeless design styles, which is one of the reasons many homeowners gravitate towards honed quartz countertops: they want high-end options, but not high-shine and gloss.
In addition to the aesthetic, honed finishes tend to have many functional advantages, too. A non-reflective surface creates less glare, making it easier to work in your kitchen (especially in ultra-bright environments). Honed finishes generally hide fingerprints, water spots, and scratches easier than polished finishes, making them low-maintenance for busy cooks and kitchens. If you are looking for a stunning matte quartz surface, with a durable, soft touch, a honed quartz surface might be the right fit for your kitchen countertops.
Advantages of Honed Quartz
Honed quartz is fast becoming a top choice for homeowners who want both style and utility for their kitchen counters. With its matte surface and smooth texture, honed quartz offers elegance and utility without objectionable characteristics that keep it lower than high gloss finishes. Here are some of the major benefits of using honed quartz in your kitchen:
- Elegant Matte Aesthetic: The soft and velvety surface of honed quartz creates an understated and sophisticated feel that can add timeless elegance to your kitchen without taking over the room.
- Hides Smudges and Fingerprints Better: Unlike a glossy finish, honed quartz is less likely to show fingerprints, water marks, and smudges, which makes it a good option for kitchens, which are typically high-traffic areas.
- Spoils the natural look and feel of stone better: A matte finish mimics a natural stone appearance and feel. Adding honed quartz to your kitchen would make it look more organic and raw and coordinate very well with most designs.
- Popular for contemporary or minimal interiors: Hone quartz is particularly popular with those designs embracing modern, industrial, or minimal tastes, largely due in part to it aesthetically complementing contemporary finished, modern and clean décor.
Disadvantages of Honed Quartz
Although honed quartz comes with a lot of benefits, there are a few disadvantages to consider before you make your decision. Honed quartz has its own distinctive appeal and, while it has a beautiful matte finish, it just might not be for everyone. Here are some disadvantages to consider:
- More prone to showing stains or watermarks: The matte surface of honed quartz stone does a good job of hiding fingerprints. However, honed quartz could be more prone to stains and watermarks, especially in high moisture areas in kitchens.
- Slightly Rougher Texture: The surfaces of honed quartz could be slightly rougher than polished quartz making them feel “less finished”. This texture may not be for those who prefer the sleek smoothness of polished elements.
- Requires more frequent cleaning: Because it is porous in nature, honed quartz can become dirty or grimy more easily and may require more cleaning to remove dirt to keep its uniform surface, and to avoid build-up.
- May cost slightly more: Because honed quartz is not as regularly available, hoed quartz costs more, and there are additional steps in processing honed to get the matte finish.
What Is Polished Quartz?
The finish of polished quartz countertops is where the surface is glossy and reflective due to the process of buffing and sealing. This is the finish most envisioned when imagining quartz countertops – a surface that is smooth, shiny and sleek. The result is a high-end and upscale aesthetic for your kitchen with polished quartz.
Polished quartz has an iridescent shine, which helps lend itself to a more glamorous and bold aesthetic over other finishes. The added gloss, while appealing, also makes it easier to clean because it repels liquids and stains from the sealed surface. Because of this, polished quartz is a good option for kitchens since food preparation is important.
This style is more on the classic side, but also glam and high-contrast kitchen designs. The shiny surface will help highlight bright colors or dark cabinetry in the kitchen. The reflective quality in polished quartz tends to brighten spaces and engaged any visual appeal in minimal light. This is a good choice for kitchens that need any added light and visual depth. If you desire a sophisticated and glam look then polished quartz will allow for that optimal finish in your kitchen design.
Advantages of Polished Quartz
Polished quartz is often very beautiful and practical for homeowners looking for countertops. With a high-gloss finish, polished quartz provides several advantages over other remaining modern countertop choices, such as solid surfaces such as Corian, Glass, Resin, Solid Surface, and more. Here are some benefits of polished quartz:
- Enhances the Colour and Pattern of the Quartz: While other finishes are dull, the shiny, reflective finish of polished quartz allows the natural colours and intricate patterns of the stone to shine through the top coat.
- Reflective Surface Makes Rooms Feel Brighter and Larger: The glossy finish and reflective surface of polished quartz reflects and bounces light around the room, virtually tricking your mind into thinking your entire kitchen is larger, brighter, and more inviting-looking, especially in small and dimly lit areas.
- More Stain Resistant and Easier Clean Up: The sealed surface of polished quartz makes it more stain resistant and easier to clean, as liquids bead up and are easier to wipe away from the countertop surface, instead of soaking into the countertop surface, like other countertop finishes.
- Easily Available and Often More Affordable: Polished quartz is a common surface finish, and thus, widely available in a spectrum of colours and patterns. Additionally, polished quartz surfaces can sometimes be more affordable than most overly luxurious countertop options. Thus, polished quartz typically looks and performs like an expensive luxury countertop without being an expensive luxury.
Disadvantages of Polished Quartz
Although polished quartz has a plethora of benefits, it is important to consider the size disadvantages before deciding on this finish. Polished quartz tends to showcase a beautiful glossy surface, but there are a couple of difficulties when it comes to maintaining that beautiful glossy finish and the appearance. Below are the disadvantages of polished quartz:
- More Easily Shows Fingerprints, Dust and Smudges: Polished quartz is bright and reflects light better than other finishes. Unfortunately, the reflective nature of polished quartz can show fingerprints, dust and smudges more easily. This means that you may have to clean the surface more often to keep it looking pristine.
- Can Be Too Shiny in Some Lighting or Design Schemes: In some design settings or lighting, polished quartz can be overwhelming or too shiny and may not blend well with more muted or understated interiors.
- Not the Best Finish for a Subtle, Matte Aesthetic: If you want a more natural look, up or matte finish kitchen or bathroom, polished quartz may not be the right choice, as its glossy finish may be overpowering for subtle kitchens.
- Potentially Requires Frequent Surface Wiping for a Pristine Look: Polished quartz requires extra time to maintain its glossy, shiny surface as it requires regular cleaning and wiping compared to honed quartz.
8 Key Differences Between Honed and Polished Quartz
When choosing between honed and polished quartz, understanding the variations that can change the look and use in your kitchen or bathroom is important. Here are five key differences:
1. Surface Appearance
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Honed Quartz: Features a matte, velvety surface that feels soft and natural. It delivers an understated, organic look that complements minimalist, modern, or industrial designs.
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Polished Quartz: Offers a glossy, reflective finish that enhances the colour vibrancy and depth of the slab. This creates a bold, upscale, and luxurious aesthetic, perfect for contemporary or high-end spaces.
2. Stain Resistance
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Honed Quartz: Slightly more porous and therefore more prone to showing water spots, fingerprints, and stains if not sealed correctly. Regular sealing and maintenance are needed to keep it looking its best.
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Polished Quartz: Naturally less porous with a tighter surface, making it more resistant to stains and spills. Ideal for kitchens and bathrooms where durability and easy cleaning are crucial.
3. Maintenance and Cleaning
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Honed Quartz: Requires more frequent cleaning and resealing to prevent staining and maintain the matte look.
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Polished Quartz: Easier to clean with a simple wipe using mild cleaners. Its smooth, glossy finish helps mask smudges and makes long-term care more convenient.
4. Durability and Scratch Resistance
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Honed Quartz: The matte surface may show scratches, etching, or marks more visibly, especially in high-traffic areas like kitchen islands.
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Polished Quartz: Better at concealing scratches thanks to the reflective surface. Its hard, sealed finish adds an extra layer of durability for daily use.
5. Design Style Compatibility
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Honed Quartz: Perfect for homeowners who want a natural, earthy, or industrial aesthetic. Works well in minimalist kitchens or spaces with neutral, organic palettes.
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Polished Quartz: Ideal for traditional, glamorous, or contemporary interiors that emphasize brightness and shine. Elevates the overall luxury feel of the space.
6. Light Reflection and Room Brightness
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Honed Quartz: Absorbs more light, giving a muted, subtle effect. Great for reducing glare in bright rooms.
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Polished Quartz: Reflects light effectively, making small kitchens or bathrooms appear larger and brighter.
7. Availability and Cost
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Honed Quartz: Less common and may take longer to source. Often comes at a slightly higher price due to additional processing.
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Polished Quartz: More widely available with a broader range of colours and designs, typically at a more affordable price point.
8. Resale Value and Long-Term Investment
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Honed Quartz: Appeals to buyers seeking a unique, high-end, natural stone look, potentially adding sophistication to resale value.
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Polished Quartz: Generally more popular with a wider buyer base, boosting resale appeal and offering a timeless, durable choice that rarely goes out of style.
Knowing these important distinctions will help you decide based on your style, maintenance preferences, and budget so that you will select the right quartz surface for your space.
Which Finish Is Best for You?
Selecting the perfect quartz finish for your kitchen or bathroom is dependent on your style, way of life, and lighting aspect in the space. If you gravitate towards a more subdued, more natural and organic look with less gloss, consider honed quartz. Honed offers a matte finish and can create a calm, more minimalist feel in your space.
If your priority is that the quartz finish is easy to clean and that vivid details are more important to you, come to a conclusion if polished quartz is your better option. Polished quartz has a shiny, reflective surface that enhances the colour and depth in your quartz slab. It is easier to wipe down and maintain, which makes it a better surface for busy kitchens.
Think about how you are using the space, if you have children or pets. You may appreciate polished for its practicality, but for cleaning too since it is more resistant to stains and easier to clean. Also think about the lighting scheme in your space and your cabinet finishes. Polishing would let in a bright appearance in a poorly lit space and honed quartz will allow it to perform well in spaces with a lot of natural light and not much excess glare. Ultimately, you must think through your décor aesthetic along with the practicalities, which would give you context for your lifestyle and space with the finish you feel comfortable with.
Honed and polished by the quartz countertops both offer timeless beauty and durability for your home. The choice is entirely up to you and your own design preferences and lifestyle. Whether you prefer a soft, matte finish or a high-gloss surface, both types of finish have their features and benefits.
Emporium Stone is here to ensure that you make the choice that’s right for you and your kitchen or bathroom. We invite you to visit us today in Melbourne – to inspect our curated collection of honed and polished quartz surfaces. Our team of friendly experts is ready to ensure you make the right choice.
