Among the variables to consider when choosing acountertop materialis thesheenthe degree of shininess on the finish.
Here are some things to consider when choosing between glossy and matte countertop finishes.
Appearance
The most critical appearance difference between glossy and matte countertops is found in their reflective quality.
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They may not be the best choice for high-use family kitchens.
Matte Countertops
Matte countertops are much less reflective than glossy surfaces.
Many people prefer the softer reflection offered by matte countertop surfaces (sometimes known ashonedsurfaces).
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Further, matte-finish countertops tend to hide nicks and scratches better than glossy countertops.
These differences are dependent on the material itself, not the surface finish.
Matte countertops, which have less reflective glare, tend to mask food spills.
Bring along a bag of potato chips and a terry cloth towel.
Get some grease residue on your fingertips and experiment with cleaning.
This will help you gauge the ease of maintenance and whether matte or glossy will work best for you.
Glossy, highly reflective countertop surfaces will show nicks and scratches more visibly.
With glossy solid-surface countertops such as Corian or Avonite, scratches and nicks can be sanded and polished out.
But there are some superficial differences between glossy and matte surfaces when it comes to everyday staining.
This is generally not a dramatic deficit, however.
More important is the relative stain resistance of the material itself, not its sheen.
For example,solid-surface countertopsare often wet-sanded and extensively polished and buffed if a high-gloss surface is desired.
Still, regardless of countertop material, there may be some minor differences in cost between surface sheens.
Glossy surfaces do not cost more when it comes to plastic laminates or solid-surface countertops.
With solid-surface materials (Corian, Avonite, etc.)
This extra polishing generally does not affect the cost of the countertops.
Do you like the dramatic, shiny highlights offered by a kitchen with glossy, polished countertops?
Or do you prefer the subtle softness of matte countertops that downplay reflections and highlights?
Matte vs. Glossy.Michigan Kitchen Distributors (MDK).
Matte Finish on Countertops.
