4 Different Stone Finishes Most Commonly Used
When it comes to selecting stone materials for your new home feature wall, or countertop, you probably have a very clear idea as to how you would want it to be like, be it smooth, shiny, neutral in colour, or patterned. In order to make this vision into reality, you need to pick the right materials that will best suit your practical needs and aesthetic preferences.
Besides getting the right look, there are other factors to consider as will, such as the finishing of the stone top which can proof to make or break the look you are envisioning. So, here are 4 most commonly used finishing in home interiors!
POLISHED FINISH
The most popular finish for most stone tops is polished of course. Polishing gives the stone a highly reflective shine that produces the least porous finished surface. Machine buffers used in conjunction with specially formulated buffing powders can accomplish the job for most granite and marble counter or dining tops. As for marble flooring, the most effective technique, however, is industrial diamond polishing. This precise, multistep process uses metal-bonded diamond discs to level the floor, followed by resinous diamond discs in conjunction with polishing compound to produce the shine. On the other hand, quartz which are man-made generally can hold its shine without any further buffering. However, as quartz contain bonding components such as resin, they usually do not shine as well as polished marble or granite.
The polished finish helps bring out the richness of the color as well as the true character of the stone and enhances its natural beauty, creating a highly reflective, mirror-like surface that makes the kitchen or bathroom appear more spacious. Most importantly, adding luxury and elegance to the interior outlook.
Usually, polished stone can retain its high-gloss look for years and even if the shine starts to fade, the countertop can be easily buffed and polished again. This finishing is also the least porous of the different countertop finishes, so it is great for preventing stains, can be easily cleaned, and does not need to be sealed as often as the other types of finishes. However, with all this benefits, this finishing also has its flaws: Marble being predominantly calcium carbonate, can react with acidic liquids relatively easy and this will cause etching which are blurred spots that can only be removed by machine buffing and polishing. So when it comes to counter top options do take into consideration for the maintenance!
HONED FINISH
Often referred to as a matte finish, the honed finish is smooth to the touch and creates a soft, satiny feel. Although not being as reflective as polished surfaces, they do accept and redistribute natural light with an incandescent effect and add a lot of charm and rustic beauty to the ambience.
The finishing process is similar to the one used for creating polished finishes, but it stops before the stone becomes shiny, leaving it with a satin or matte appearance.
The resulting surface has a subtler, more natural look and doesn’t show scratches as easily as a polished finish. What’s more, the honed finish conceals flaws and natural imperfections of the stone better than a polished finish because it lacks the high level of reflection typical of glossy surfaces.
This sort of surfacing is more commonly used in toilet interior where etching is most likely to occur. With its finishing, etching are less visible and maintenance is easier! A honed finish, however, doesn’t show the color and texture of the stone as well as a polished one. Besides, it is more porous and, therefore, more prone to staining and would require regular sealing!
LEATHERED FINISH
The leathered finishing helps bring out the natural characteristics of the stone. Its distinctive rough look is created with the help of an abrasive diamond brush, applied to a honed surface – depending on the mineral content of the stone, several layers of shine and matte appear alternatively on the finished surface, resulting in a velvety, textured appearance that is reminiscent of leather.
Since the leathering process seals the pores of the stone; reducing the susceptibility of staining, this type of finish is perfect for heavily used areas and outdoor applications. A leathered finish is widely preferred for darker stone types s, as it retains the color of the stone, ensures higher resistance to stains than a honed finish, and hides natural imperfections and smudges better than a polished finish.
However, due to the uneven surfacing, it requires more frequent cleaning to get rid of dirt or residues between vein lines and deeper pores. Cleaning frequently can also help deepen the colour of the stone!
FLAMED FINISH
A Flamed finish is produced when an intense flame is fired at the stone, causing the surface to burst and become rough. This finish is used primarily for exteriors applications where slip-resistance is extremely important. A flamed finish cannot be applied to all stones; however, most granite and certain hard limestone are preferred.
Typically, the rougher, flamed texture of granite is more suitable for areas of the home that are prone to dampness. When granite is used in exterior living spaces, such as a patio or deck, a flamed finish serves as a beautiful, unique option. These slabs also work well in an outdoor kitchen, as flamed granite is well-suited to uncovered, exterior applications.
However, if you love the rustic beauty of flamed granite, you shouldn’t feel limited by how you can use it. Flamed granite can function exceptionally well in almost any room of your home. It’s even suitable for use as a shower floor or in other high-moisture areas where some natural stone options are not recommended for installation.
Currently you may be concern or confused with so many finishing options to choose from! No worries as our expert inhouse designers can sit down with you and through discussions, understand your wants and needs to help recommend the best type of tops and finishing for different area of your home space! For enquiry feel free to drop us an email: hello@ebstudiointerior.com