Mirror-polished, soft matte honed or textured leathered: how each finish looks, feels and wears, and which suits each room.
Granite comes in different finishes, and the finish changes the look as much as the color. A polished finish is glossy, deepens the color and reflects light. A honed finish is smooth but matte, with a soft, quiet look. A leathered finish has a subtle texture that feels like the grain of leather and hides fingerprints and water spots. In Nashville, where lifestyles range from formal entertaining to busy family kitchens, the right finish depends on how you live.
Each finish has tradeoffs. Polished stone is easiest to clean but shows streaks and fingerprints. Honed stone hides marks but can show oil more readily and needs sealing. Leathered stone is wonderful at disguising smudges and gives grip but can trap crumbs in its texture. We bring samples so you can see and feel the difference, and we apply the finish you choose during fabrication. We also explain how lighting changes a finish, since a honed counter under strong under-cabinet lights can look glossier than it did in the stone yard, and a polished one can look flat in a dim room.
Mirror-like and deep in color. Easy to wipe, but shows smudges and reflects every light.
A soft, satin matte with a quiet, contemporary feel. Hides scratches well and needs sealing.
A subtle texture with a velvety look. Disguises fingerprints and water spots and feels interesting to touch.
Polished suits formal spaces, honed suits modern rooms and leathered suits busy kitchens and outdoor areas.
Drag the handle to compare.
BeforeAfterPolished, honed, leathered.
Samples in your light.
Rich, glossy color.
Honed and leathered.
Better grip.
Care explained.
Every topic has its own page with what to expect and how we approach it.
Topic guideGranite FinishesSee how polished, honed and leathered finishes differ in look, feel, smudges and care, and which suits each…Learn more 
Granite colorBlack GraniteDeep, polished black with fine silver or gold flecks: a bold, classic look that pairs with white cabinets…Learn more 
Topic guideSealing and CareHow to clean granite, test the seal, treat spills and know when to reseal, in plain steps you…Learn more Answer a few questions about style, household and budget to see which granite edge profiles fit best.
You tell us about your counters and what you want to change, from a repair to a whole-kitchen install, and we set a visit that fits your day.
We visit, measure, check the cabinets, walls and plumbing and talk through stone, edges, seams and sinks.
We help you choose a slab at local stone yards, plan the layout and give you an itemized written estimate with options.
Once cabinets are set and level, we template the real room, confirm cutouts and seams and send the plan to fabrication.
The stone is cut and polished, old counters are removed and the new granite is carried in, set, seamed and sealed.
We walk the finished counters with you, explain care, run the water test and leave the space clean.
It hides scratches but shows oil more, and needs sealing. Regular care keeps it looking good.
Yes. Polished stone looks deeper and richer. Honed and leathered look softer.
Often yes, with professional honing or polishing.
Honed or leathered finishes are better for grip and hide water spots.
Not every stone takes a leathered finish well. We advise at the yard.
Edge ProfilesEased, bullnose, half bullnose, bevel, ogee and more: edge profiles shown on real samples so you choose the…Explore 
ResealingCleaning, testing and resealing granite so liquids bead again, with a simple schedule for keeping the protection fresh.Explore 
Outdoor KitchensThick, weather-ready granite counters for patio kitchens and grill islands, with cutouts for grills, sinks and side burners.Explore 
Repolishing and HoningRestoring the shine of a dull, tired granite top, or honing it to a soft matte, with graduated…Explore Tell us about your project and we will call you back to set up a visit.
Or call (615) 357-7797 to talk now.
