Honed black granite - good and bad news?

[Paula]

I'm still renovating my kitchen, little by little and will be doing the counter and sink this fall/early winter. I haven't yet committed to a particular counter top type, but a designer I know suggested honed black granite (honed takes away the sheen). Looks beautiful. Anybody have any experience with honed granite or honed black granite. Positives? Negatives? Once I price it out, my back-up plan is to get black formica instead. Haven't decided yet but would love to hear what anyone thinks. I always come to SoWal.com for advice... Thanks.

 

[Grayton Girl]

We just put some honed granite (more or less black in color but it actually has another name) in our kitchen and bath and we LOVE it. It cleans up nicely, does not streak, and looks really good. The house is very rustic, so we didn't want any real shiny surfaces. Everyone who sees it loves it.

I cannot imagine being happy with formica after having the honed granite. Florida Bath & Tile put it in for us.... actually we used a large piece of granite that they had left over from a previous job and so we got a good deal on it too. They did a beautiful installation.

Good luck!

 

[SHELLY]

I know Top Ramen will taste a whole lot better....but it sounds like a huge waste of money to me.

Go with some decent formica (it's not your granny's formica anymore) and lob the saved cash into the college or vacation fund (or put it into Ramen futures)

My 2-cents...and that can be taken to the bank.

.

 

[SGB]

We just put some honed granite (more or less black in color but it actually has another name) in our kitchen and bath and we LOVE it. It cleans up nicely, does not streak, and looks really good. The house is very rustic, so we didn't want any real shiny surfaces. Everyone who sees it loves it.

I cannot imagine being happy with formica after having the honed granite. Florida Bath & Tile put it in for us.... actually we used a large piece of granite that they had left over from a previous job and so we got a good deal on it too. They did a beautiful installation.

Good luck!

I've seen Grayton Girl's honed granite and it does look great!

 

[ellen]

granite

I had honed black granite in a prior home and loved it. It is a great look.

The next two houses I did brushed granite where the surface is matte like honed but has a slight uneven texture to it. One house is black and another is verde (I think), the speckled green one. When it is brushed, it loses that busy, dotted look and goes more even and natural-looking.

Just another option to consider. I love building and decorating, but the options can be overwhelming.

Good luck!

 

[Beach Runner]

I am liking marble. My sister has it at her second beach house, and it looks awesome. I love the granite at our beach house, but I know that people think it's dated. We plan more renovations in our kitchen in Georgia. The news that granite is dated hasn't arrived here. But then this is a town where women still feel fashionable carrying Vera Bradley and those damned giraffe handbags.

 

[Lynnie]

I love honed granite! It's easier to care for than the shiny stuff.

Mine is Emerald Green, which is black with faint specks of green, blue and cream opalesence. Renovated this kitchen 11 years ago and the granite has chipped in places you wouldn't imagine (usually on the edge, which makes sense because it is a natural product and has been unnaturally cut, etc.), but you can't see it and it still looks fabulous!

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Paula]

Thanks, all. My only concern with the honed black granite (other than price, though my kitchen is small) is whether there are any problems with wear and tear, chipping, etc. It's a 1912 prairee bungalow and so the natural (not shiny) look is more consistent with the period. I'm going to get a price on the fornica (I'm OK with that, too) and the honed granite. Then I'll know exactly what the difference in price is. But my main concern right now is whether there are any problems with granite, honed granite in terms of care, tear, etc. If I did get the granite, I'd be pretty annoyed if it came with problems for the price! Thanks again.

 

[Mermaid]

Paula, does your library subscribe to This Old House magazine? The July issue had an in-depth article about kitchen countertops. If you can't find it I will be more than happy to mail you it as I'm done with my issue.

 

[scooterbug44]

I loved honed black granite - have been spec-ing honed Absolute Black granite for years!

IMO it is the more highly figured and shiny granites that are dated (especially combined with every available SS appliance)- honed black is a classic look.

Haven't had any complaints about it - hard to find a more durable and hard-to-stain surface than black granite!

Black formica is a good second choice - I have been product tested the HAIL out of it for years and still looks good!