Matte vs. Gloss Countertops and Which is Best?

No matter where you are in the world, countertops are a dominant piece of the kitchen – in terms of both function and aesthetics – and choosing the best option for your space is more of a serious decision than you may think at first. Besides all of the different natural stone options available, you also have to decide what type of sheen – also known as the degree of shininess is present on the countertops. 

Typically, the sheen on a countertop is described as either glossy – shiny to a degree and reflects light – or matte, in which the surface isn’t as shiny and reflects light in a softer manner that doesn’t create glares. Matte finishes that diffuse reflected light is also known as brushed or honed when applied to granite, concrete, or leather finishes on quartz countertops. 

Marble Granite Connection wants to help make this massive decision easier. Below, we break down the different pros and cons of choosing glossy or matter countertop finishes. 

Major Differences Between Glossy and Matte Countertops

Almost all countertop materials come available in both sheens – glossy and matter – and each finish sheen has its own unique pros and cons. No matter if you choose granite, quartz, ceramic tile, or laminate, each material comes available with both glossy and matte finishes. 

Glossy Countertops

• Light reflects with bright highlights
• Stains and smudges easily
• Commonly found on granite, marble, and engineered stones
• More affordable for some materials

Matte Countertops

• The reflected light is diffused
• Stain and smudge resistant
• Commonly found on laminate countertops
• More expensive on certain materials

Overall Appearance

The most noticeable difference between glossy and matte countertops comes with reflectiveness.

Glossy Countertops

Glossy countertops will be very reflective so if your kitchen has a good amount of direct sunlight, you can expect a good amount of glare. Carefully designed lighting schemes can take advantage of this reflective nature to create a beautifully lit kitchen, but others can find this unpleasant and often times blinding. 

While these countertops can look amazing when taken care of, they will show scratches and smudges easier than matte. They may not be the best choice for households that have high usage. 

Matte Countertops

Matte is far less reflective than glossy countertops and many people will often prefer this less reflective material. Matte also hides scratches and nicks much better than glossy. 

If you’re interested in matte countertops, the best choices include laminate, solid surface, or tile. Granite, stainless steel, and engineered stones can also come in matte, but the choices will be limited and the price will be higher. 

Water and Heat Resistance

There is no difference between glossy and matte finishes when it comes to resistance to water and heat damage. This will depend on the actual material of the countertop. 

Care and Cleaning

There aren’t many differences when it comes to cleaning countertops based on the sheen, but there are slight changes. 

Glossy Countertops

Since glossy countertops show fingerprints, scratches, and crumbs better, it means you will need to clean more in order to remove all of these blemishes. 

Matte Countertops

Matte has a less reflective glare so food stains and other blemishes are harder to spot. This can be a great advantage when it comes to the appearance of your kitchen. 

Get New Countertops in South Florida

No matter what type of countertops you decide to go with, Marble Granite Connection can help you find the perfect countertops for your South Florida home. We have a large selection of both glossy and matte countertops using different engineered and natural stones. Visit our contact page today if you’re interested in having new countertops installed today.