granite kitchen Archives - Cutting Edge Countertops
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The Difference Between Polished and Honed Granite

When choosing granite countertops for your home there are a lot of choices to make. From the color of the granite to edges and finishes. These final details, such as the finish of the granite, can drastically change the appearance of the stone and overall look of your space. There are a lot of questions in regard to what the difference between polished and honed granite is and what to choose when adding granite to your home. Here is the information you need to know on polished vs honed granite to make the best choice for your home!

What is Polished Granite?

Polished granite has a highly reflective surface, this finish will display the vibrancy of the granite’s colors as well as the character of the stone. A polished finish is very smooth and enhances the full color of a stone. A polished surface creates a beautiful glossy shine from the natural reflection of the stone’s crystals.

Polished Granite Characteristics

Polished granite is coated. This acts as a protectant, making the granite less susceptible to stains. This makes polished granite a popular and classic choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Consequently, the highly reflective surface means more visible scratches. Since polished granite is very smooth, this makes it a dangerous option for flooring in high traffic areas because or bathrooms because it can be very slippery when wet

Polished Granite Recap

  • Feel: Smooth
  • Look: Glossy & Shiny
  • Durability: Scratch and etch easily, but more stain resistant.
  • Recommended Application: Kitchen and bathroom countertops, fireplace surrounds, and walls.
  • Maintenance: Regular wipe down with water and mild detergent, clean spills immediately.
Polished Finish
Polished Finish

What is Honed Granite?

When you choose a honed finish, the polishing process ends before buffing to create a matte or low-gloss sheen that lacks the highly reflective, mirror-like look of traditional granite. The softer honed finish is popular among homeowners wanting a casual or aged look.

Honed Granite Characteristics

Honed granite is more resistant to scratches because of its matte finish. Unlike with a polished surface, honed granite does get scratched, it is less noticeable because the scratch won’t be as easy to see when light reflects off it. On the other hand, honed granite is more susceptible to stains, so it important to clean spills in a timely manner. Since it is matte, when the surface gets wet, it is less slippery than polished making it a great choice for flooring.

Honed Granite Recap

  • Feel: Velvet/Satin
  • Looks: Matte
  • Durability: Scratch resistant, but easily stained.
  • Recommended Application: Countertops and high traffic areas, such as floors for the bathroom, foyer, or living room.
  • Maintenance: Regular wipe down with water and mild detergent, clean up spills immediately, re-sealing suggested over time.
Honed Finish
Honed Finish

Whether you chose honed or polished as the finish for your granite countertops, it will make a luxurious addition to your home. Be sure to contact our team or visit one of our showrooms located in Troy, Wixom, Perrysburg, Indianapolis and Noblesville if you have any additional questions. You can also begin browsing our selection in our Live Inventory.

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How to Preserve Granite Countertops During the Holidays

Let the festivities begin! Bring on the tasty treats and good times that come with the holiday season. This time of year people tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing dishes for the dinner party they are hosting or attending. With this also comes spills from red wine and crumbs from apple pie remaining on your beautiful granite countertops. Without proper care and attention, this wear and tear from a well-lived life can ruin your granite countertops. With that said, prevention is key! Here are a few easy tips on keeping your granite countertops in tip-top shape throughout the busy season.

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Quickly Clean Granite Countertops

When you happen to get a splash of apple cider or hot cocoa on your granite countertops, clean up the spill as soon as it happens. Start by wiping the countertop with warm soapy water and clean the surface thoroughly. If you do not have any specialty cleaner on hand don’t fear, mild soap and warm water will do just fine! We highly recommend against using cleaning products such as windex or bleach on granite. When using substances that are highly acidic it will dull the granite countertop and weaken the sealant. Also avoid using abrasive cleaner or pads on you countertop so you do not scratch the surface.

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Remove Stains From Granite Countertops

If your red and green food coloring went unattended for to long and created a stain, make a paste of baking soda and water. Scrub the stained granite countertop gently with the paste and a soft towel then rinse thoroughly. It may take several attempts to remove the stain from your granite countertops. If the stain still remains, put the baking soda and water paste on the spot and securely cover the stain. You can use plastic wrap to do this. Let the paste sit on top of the stain till it dries. Once the paste is dry, use a soft towel to wipe away and rinse it off with warm water.

For those extremely tough stains, contact the pros at Cutting Edge Countertops and one of our team members will assist you!

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Reseal Your Granite Countertops

Try the water test! The water test is a simple way to check the sealant on your granite countertops. Pour a small amount of water onto various sections of the counter and wait for a reaction. If the water absorbs, it is time to have your granite countertops resealed! You can tell if the water has been absorbed into the stone because the granite will darken. The water should sit for 30 minutes when performing the test, but you may notice the granite darkening more quickly if your seal has worn down.

Even with proper care, granite countertops will need to be resealed periodically. Wear and tear will weaken the sealant, leaving the granite dull and more susceptible to stains. Resealing granite countertops is a job for professionals and we do not recommend trying to do it yourself. Cutting Edge Countertops recommends having your granite countertops resealed every one to two years. Implementing these helpful tips will make the sealant last and keep your granite countertops beautiful!

With these easy tips, you can make it through the holidays without ruining your countertops. If you are searching for granite countertops in Indianapolis, Wixom, Noblesville, Perrysburg or Troy stop by one of our showrooms to browse our granite selection! Our team of highly skilled granite fabricators would love to help bring your dream kitchen to life!

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The Midwest Top 5 Trending Granite Colors

Are you thinking about renovating your kitchen or bathroom with granite countertops for 2020? You have come to the right place! Cutting Edge Countertops provides granite countertops to homeowners in Indianapolis, Wixom, Noblesville, Perrysburg and Troy. To ensure our customers stay up to date on the latest trends we have rounded up five material options that are hot on the market and would make the perfect kitchen or bathroom granite countertop for your project! These popular granite colors include Dallas White, Blue Pearl, Black Pearl, Bianco Antico and New Venetian Gold. Keep reading to find out more about these colors and which one would best suit your style!

Dallas White Granite

The white background of Dallas White Granite is accented by lavender and light gray tones. You will also see a mix of cream and brown throughout this granite. This element will catch the eye of all your guest when they enter the space where this granite will be homed. Dallas White granite is the perfect option if you are wanting to steer away from the dark side, but aren’t completely sold on bright white countertops. It is the perfect mix of neutrals and will fit right in with your current home decor!

DALLAS WHITE

Blue Pearl Granite

If you are looking for a dark granite that is unique, Blue Pearl granite will exceed your expectations. When you take a close look you will see that this granite contains the perfect harmony of blues, grays and black. The dark gray and navy blue tones differ from slab to slab so when you handpick your material to work with you will be getting a one of kind piece! So if you want to make a statement in your home Blue Pearl granite might just be the granite you have been searching for!

Blue Pearl GT

Black Pearl Granite

Opting for dark countertops is a bold choice and looks great in any style kitchen. Black Pearl granite has a black background with hints of gray and speckles of green, brown, silver and gold. When these minerals are hit by the light, Black Pearl granite comes to life and creates an exotic feel to any kitchen or bathroom. Pair your black granite countertops with white or light wood cabinets and stainless-steel appliances for a stunning look!

Black Pearl Granite Colors

Bianco Antico Granite

Bianco Antico granite is a dreamy blend of gray, white and brown shades on top of a white and gray background. This granite gives off a luxurious appearance due to the quartz crystals scattered throughout the material. Bianco Antico pairs well with a variety of cabinetry colors including black, white, and gray. It is perfect for traditional and contemporary kitchen design styles with it’s light neutral palette it will bring the feeling of openness to any kitchen or bathroom it is installed in.

bianco antico

New Venetian Gold Granite

Whether polished or leathered New Venetian Gold is a beautiful natural stone. This granite has a sweet honey-colored background that is decorated in amber, white and black flecks. With the proper maintenance and care New Venetian Gold granite can withstand many years of  usage in the kitchen or bathroom due to its super strong and durable characteristics. Combine New Venetian Gold granite countertops with white or black cabinetry to make this material pop!

new venetian gold

With all of our natural stone products, we require that you view the material of interest so that our team can ensure you awill be satisfied with your purchase. Natural stone, such as granite, varies from slab to slab, so when you come into our showrooms located in Indianapolis, Wixom, Noblesville, Perrysburg and Troy you will have the opportunity to pick your slab to work with! Contact us to set up an appointment or visit our website to learn more!

granite counters

Choosing Between Quartz And Granite Kitchen Countertops

Let’s start with the basics before we get into a further comparison of quartz vs. granite kitchen countertops. The experts at Cutting Edge Countertops will lay out the principles in this blog!

The Differences Between Quartz And Granite Kitchen Countertops?

Granite is the most popular type of natural stone. It is quarried in blocks from the earth, cut into slabs, polished and fabricated. On the other hand, quartz is a well-known engineered stone product made from natural quartz, other minerals, and resin. The main difference is that granite is a completely natural quarried stone and quartz is man-made from stone byproducts.

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Do granite and quartz kitchen countertops look similar?

Granite slabs aren’t uniform in color or appearance, which for some would be considered a pro and for others, a con. Each piece of natural stone is truly one-of-a-kind in its pattern, color, and characteristics as a result of the way it’s formed in the earth. There are countless varieties of granite, including blue, green, black, white and more. Depending on your aesthetic preferences, you can find subtle and bold looks with little or a lot of movement (veining).

On the other end, quartz countertops are more uniform in appearance. This makes it easier to match veining and color if your space is large enough to require more than one slab of material. Quartz technologies have advanced quite a bit in recent years. Manufacturers offer hundreds of colors and patterns, some that resemble granite and marble, or other natural stone, and some that are more unique.

How much do granite countertops cost?

Typically, granite kitchen countertops cost between $2,000 and $4,500 on average, including the cost of installation. Granite cost will vary based on the design (whether it’s an easily accessible color or if it is considered a more exotic variety), the size of your project and the countertop edges/finishes you choose.

granite kitchen

How much do quartz countertops cost?

To buy and install quartz countertops will run you between $1,000 and $4,000 on average. There are high (designer styles or white marble look-alikes) and low ends (basic styles and colors) of quartz and granite materials. Sometimes these surfacing options may overlap in price. If you are shopping for countertops on a small budget or looking to save money, granite and quartz probably aren’t your best options. You should consider material remnants, laminate or solid surface.

What are my options for easy-to-clean countertops?


Granite kitchen countertops are very durable. Quartz kitchen countertops are also very durable but provide a few more advantages over their natural stone competitor. Granite is a relatively porous stone that could absorb liquids or other substances if not properly sealed every few years. Alternatively, quartz does not require sealing and is highly resistant to staining. Both materials can be wiped down with soap and water or a stone cleaner for regular upkeep. Whether you own your own house or your own condo, countertops are always going to be a necessity in any home so make sure you choose the best countertop company to help you with your installation.

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How do I get the best countertop installation?

It is not recommended to install larger stone countertops as a DIY project. These materials are very heavy and if you’re making the investment it’s best to get some expert help!

Cutting Edge Countertops is Accredited by the Natural Stone Institute. This means we are vetted as a reliable countertop company that exceeds industry standards and best practices in professionalism, safety, fabrication, and installation. After weighing the pros and cons, whether you decide on granite or quartz, both are premium kitchen countertop choices that will add beauty and value to your home. Come visit one of our showrooms or call us with your countertop questions!  

Still undecided? Check out our Things to Know product roundups for more details on all the countertop choices. For all questions and concerns, make sure to contact a professional granite kitchen countertop expert by calling 888.515.8677.

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