Pros and Cons of Black Granite Benchtops

Kitchen benchtops are an essential aspect of your kitchen. You spend most of your time preparing your food on your benchtop, so you want it durable and looking great. And because of that, having black granite benchtop may have crossed your mind several times. After all, who would say no to a sleek and sophisticated-looking benchtop? However, before you put all your heart into this colour and material, you should consider looking up its pros and cons to ensure that you are making a decision you won’t regret.

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Check out the list of pros and cons we have come up with about black granite countertops.

Pros of Using Black Granite Benchtops

There are many reasons why you should opt for black granite benchtops, and we’ve listed a few for you to consider:

Timeless Beauty

Like any other natural stone, granite benchtops offer this classic beauty that can surely capture the eyes of anyone who visits your home. And if you choose black of all other colours available, it further adds this luxurious feel.

If you are aiming for a kitchen interior design that will look good for an entire lifetime, then black granite slabs will be the best option for you out there.

Functionality

Black granite benchtops are beautiful with a purpose since they are stain-resistant and do not get easily damaged by normal wear and tear in the kitchen.

In addition, they can be heat resistant, so whenever you subject a granite benchtop to heat coming from pots and pans, they won’t be harmed or weakened.

Less Cleaning

Compared to other types of granite, black granite can be easier to clean, and it’s all possible due to its dark colour. If you opt for brighter and whiter granite, stains coming from condiments, wine, tea, and coffee, can be too noticeable compared to dark granite.

And if you don’t have all the time in the world to constantly clean, then this feature is beneficial for you.

Wide Options

Yes, you read that right; granite offers many black-coloured options.

Among the black-coloured granite surfaces include:

More Granite Stones

Since granite is a natural stone, each of its slab types offers unique, bold, and beautiful shades and patterns to help you create a strong statement for your kitchen benchtops.

Versatility

There are tons of kitchen designs that black granite benchtops can accommodate. So, whether you plan for a dramatic waterfall edge for your kitchen island, there is a black granite type for you.

Don’t worry because no matter what design you choose, black granite will complement traditional, transitional, and contemporary kitchens.

Enhances Other Elements

Dark granite benchtops can also add richness to your kitchen’s interior design, and they can enhance other elements in the room, such as the colour of your splashback, ceiling, cupboards, and the like.

Case in point, if you have cabinetry that is all in white, your black granite benchtop will not only make a great highlight in your kitchen, but it will also make your guests appreciate the contrast.

Cons of Black Granite Benchtops

Despite the many advantages of black granite benchtops, they do not come without drawbacks.

Maintenance

Ensuring that your benchtops are constantly in their best condition requires a three-step procedure that preserves and protects their beauty.

The said procedure involves cleaning, polishing, and sealing granite. This procedure can be laborious for people who do not have all the time in the world to keep their benchtops clean at all times.

Cleaning and Polishing

Fingerprints, spillage, water rings, and other marks are visible on black granite benchtops. If you are a busy person, these marks will make you spend extra time cleaning it.

And if you spend most of your time cooking in the kitchen, you will eventually find the need to polish the surfaces, which can be tedious at some point.

Sealing

Though granite benchtops do not stain as easily as other stone surfaces, sealing them is crucial so it will be easier for you to clean and maintain their quality.

However, predicting how often you should seal them can be difficult, and this is why it is highly encouraged to seal your granite benchtop at least once per year will make it easier for you to maintain. But then this would mean additional costs on your end.

Cost

The cost of granite benchtops can get expensive. This is because the price will depend on where you purchase your supply.

But if you are buying from a wholesaler, the price will often be less than you would pay at a retailer. Wholesalers are usually more affordable for materials and installation costs.

Preference

No matter how beautiful black granite benchtops are, they will all boil down to your preference. If you intend to change your kitchen’s interior design drastically in the future, then maybe this colour and type of natural stone may not be the best one for you.

Sure, your black granite benchtops are versatile, but what if you prefer a bright and white minimalist look and feel for your kitchen?

Let Your Kitchen Come to the Dark Side with Stone Interiors

If you are convinced to get that black benchtop kitchen you’ve always wanted finally, then make sure you enlist Stone Interior’s help. We supply black granite and other kinds of natural and engineered stone materials.

Contact us on 03 9357 0096 today to assist you before you commit to purchasing black granite.

When redesigning your home with granite countertops, you get the excitement of not only choosing which stone you’ll use but also which finish the stone will have. Think of the finish as the way you want to showcase your granite. Do you want a glossy, reflective surface to brighten up your kitchen? Maybe you’d prefer an earthier, matte finish to lend the room some rustic charm.

Before you make your final selection, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of the numerous options available. Below, we’ll go into more detail about the following granite finishes:

• Polished

• Honed

• Leathered

• Caressed

• Flamed

Polished Granite (Shiny, Mirror Finish)

This is the type of finish that people are most familiar with. The polished finish makes granite appear glossy and reflective, and it accentuates the stone’s natural hues and textures. Because the surface is mirror-like, it will also make your kitchen appear brighter.

Polished granite’s stain resistance is one of its biggest advantages. The granite’s natural pores become sealed during the finishing process, making the stone more hygienic and moisture-repellent. That being said, flaws in the stone or smudges, fingerprints, and water spots tend to stand out on a polished surface, and the surface can also corrode under acidic or corrosive cleaners.

Pros

• Brightens a room

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• Most stain-resistant finish

• Most hygienic finish

• Enhances stone’s natural color and texture

Cons

• Reflective surface accentuates flaws in the stone and smudges

• Can corrode under acidic or corrosive cleaners

Honed Granite (Matte or Satin Finish)

Like polished granite, honed granite looks extremely smooth. However, rather than reflective, the finish has a matte or a satiny, buffed appearance. In past years, the honed look was more popular as a floor finish than a countertop finish. However, with the increasing popularity of the modern farmhouse look, honed granite looks right at home alongside shaker cabinets and subway tile backsplashes.

A honed finish has some possible downsides. The finish won’t show off your stone’s color and texture as well as a polished finish. If you’re aiming to showcase your stone’s natural beauty, this finish might not have the results you’re hoping for. Honed granite also requires more frequent resealing than polished granite because it’s more prone to staining.

Pros

• Conceals smudges and small imperfections in the stone

• Smooth, functional surface

Cons

• Slightly fades or mutes stone’s natural color and texture

• Porous surface requires more frequent resealing than other surfaces

• Accidental chips or scratches in stone will be noticeable

Is Honed Granite Hard to Maintain?

Honed granite finishes are porous and prone to staining, therefore require more maintenance to keep it protected. To keep your honed granite stain-free and to ensure its longevity, we recommend that this type of granite countertop be resealed once every six months with a natural stone sealant for granite. This is something you can easily do on your own, and generally takes about an hour for each coat of sealant to completely dry. If your honed granite is particularly porous, it may require a second coat of sealant. Lighter colors are typically more porous than darker colors so may require more maintenance.

Leathered Granite (Matte, Textured Finish)

If you’re not sold on a polished finish but desire something more stain-resistant than a honed finish, leathered granite is a great compromise. To achieve a leathered finish, you start with honed granite and run an abrasive, diamond-tipped brush over it to create a subtle, dimpled texture. This finish is popular for outdoor areas but can also be a striking addition to both contemporary and country-inspired kitchens.

Does Leathered Granite Stain Easily?

Leathered granite is more stain-resistant than honed granite and disguises smudges and water spots better than polished granite. A leathered finish will also better accentuate your stone’s natural color than a honed finish. However, leathered granite is non-reflective and, as a result, can make a small space seem smaller.

Pros

• Conceals smudges and fingerprints

• Enhances the stone’s natural color

• Moderately stain-resistant

Cons

• Non-reflective surface can make a small space seem smaller

• Reliefs in stone make cleaning slightly more difficult

• Accidental chips or scratches in stone will be noticeable

Caressed Granite (Textured Finish with Shine)

While the texture of a leathered finish might appeal to you, the fact that it lacks shine might not. If this sounds like your dilemma, consider a caressed finish. This finish is achieved by polishing the raised areas of leathered granite, adding a lovely sheen that accentuates the subtle reliefs in the stone.

The polishing process makes caressed granite more stain-resistant than leathered granite. Polished granite will still be the most stain-resistant, but if you’re looking for something a little more rugged, caressed granite will suit your sense of style perfectly without requiring rigorous upkeep.

Pros

• Brightens a room

• Accentuates the stone’s natural color

• More stain-resistant than honed or leathered granite

Cons

• Reliefs in stone make cleaning slightly more difficult

Flamed Granite (Rough, “Natural” Finish)

Unlike some of these other finishes, a flamed finish is only suitable for granite because of the intense heat required to achieve the look. To achieve flamed granite, you must expose the stone to heat so extreme that the tiny grains inside it burst. The bursting grains expose their crystals and change the stone’s colors to more muted tones.

Due to its rough texture and “natural” look, this finish is more popular for outdoor settings than indoor ones. However, flamed granite can make a beautiful addition to a rustic kitchen, a cozy fireplace, or a spa-inspired shower floor. That being said, it’s extremely important to make sure flamed granite is well-sealed because this highly porous, textured surface is prone to staining and trapping dirt and moisture.

Pros

• Unique surface that lends an earthy texture to any space

Cons

• Highly porous surface requires frequent resealing to guard against stains and moisture issues (fungus, algae, etc.)

• Most difficult surface to clean

Always Seal Your Granite!

No matter which surface you choose, remember that granite is a natural stone, which means that it should be sealed before use and resealed on a regular basis. Also, be sure to clean your granite with the appropriate solutions to prevent damaging the stone’s finish. Learn more about the care and maintenance of granite countertops here.

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Feel like you need to see granite options in person? Visit a Capitol Granite design center near you!