Natural Stone ..Surface Finish Options

One will find a few natural stone surface finish options. Each finish gives the stone a different feel, which is often a matter of preference. Stone finish affects the stones surface absorption coefficient. A polished surface will be less absorbent than a honed or flamed finish. Testing with a bead of water is helpful to determine when resealing is needed

During slab production, a high-quality Italian transparent resin is used to fill any small fissures or pinholes that are common in natural stone. This is true with all popular finishes (Polished, Leathered, and Honed). Some specific varieties of stone call for other products as well.

Polished is the most commonly sought after finish. This glass like smooth finish gives the stone colors a bright look. Glare and reflection is often noticed varying with angle of the light & stone color. Black stones tend to give a mirror effect. Bright sun reflection can be a concern in some situations.

Honed (Matte) is a smooth finish but not polished as high of the of a level

Leathered (Brushed/Satin) has pronounced texture, decreasing glare, giving surface a natural feel. The texture level varies depending on the density differences within the surface. This soft texture is achieved using diamond-tipped brushes.

Flamed (Thermal) is a rough texture produced by running a high-temperature flame over a moistened stone surface. Layers of the stone flake away due to the expansion of the liquid water to vapor. This surface is most widely used on walk areas.