While many purchasers of kitchen countertops, cabinets and other forms of remodeling or design will focus first and foremost on color schemes, it’s vital to keep an eye on another vital aesthetic area: Finish. Generally speaking, you’ll have a choice between the two primary finishing options out there for these and several other materials, known as gloss finish and matte finish.
At Accent Countertops, we’re here to tell you all about each of these finish types and which might be best for your new kitchen countertops – both in terms of matching our color selection and several other factors. Gloss finish generally refers to a finish that creates a shine through reflected light, while matte finish takes on a simpler, non-shiny format that evens out the color scheme to the eyes while providing a clear layer of protection above the color. What are some of the pros and cons of matte countertop finishes? Let’s take a look at both these areas as you work toward making your choice.
Benefits of Matte Finishes
Some of the general positives for matte finishes when used in the kitchen include:
- Trendy: Matte finishes are very trendy today, considered a modern option that’s in-style.
- Concealing messes: High-gloss finishes, the opposite of matte in many ways, show stains, smudges, scratches and other messes very prominently. For those who don’t want to deal with the kind of cleaning maintenance that often accompanies gloss products, matte is a great alternative. It’s smooth and subtle, with a natural appearance that allows small imperfections to blend in due to less reflected light than gloss finishes.
- Texture and sophistication: Gloss is also very popular, and kitchens with lots of it require a contrast – matte is a perfect choice. It adds a sleek bit of texture that layers the design and allows the eyes to focus on several separate areas.
Potential Downsides of Matte Finishes
However, there may also be downsides to matte finishes depending on what you’re looking for:
- Space issues: For smaller kitchens, we might recommend prioritizing gloss finishes. Matte absorbs light, meaning it makes spaces feel smaller, not larger.
- No spill prevention: As we noted above, matte finishes are much better than gloss at concealing spills, smudges or other issues. But they aren’t better at actually preventing these occurrences, and this can lead to oil, grease and other materials building up over time and requiring tougher cleaning if they aren’t addressed.
- Cleaning difficulty: In addition, cleaning matte surfaces can be a bit tougher than gloss. It’s tougher to do without leaving your own streaks behind, and matte finishes may also slightly absorb certain stains permanently.
For more on choosing matte finishes versus gloss, or to learn about any of our kitchen remodel services like custom countertops and many others, speak to the staff at Accent Countertops today.
