Once you’ve decided to install natural stone for your new countertops or other surfaces, the next question is: which finish will you choose? The finish you choose will depend on your personal preferences and how much maintenance you’re willing to engage in.
There are many stone finishes out there; selecting the right one for your home improvement project can seem a bit daunting. But the one you choose will affect the overall theme of your kitchen, bathroom or other space.
Aside from stone color and cut, stone finishes bring the aesthetics of the space together. They also determine the maintenance requirements and durability of your natural stone surfaces, such as floors and countertops.
Let’s take a look at the most common stone finishes and how to keep up their appeal as the years wear on, whether you have your eye on granite, soapstone or limestone.
1. Polished
A polished finish is a very popular choice with many homeowners. To achieve this look, quarry workers apply abrasive treatments repeatedly to ensure a resistant, shiny surface with minimal porosity. This polished finish brings out the inherent beauty, properties and colors of your natural stone surface, making this type of finish ideal for interior flooring and wall dressing, as well as kitchen and bathroom countertops. The only place you would not want this finish is for your outdoor pavers, which can pose a slip hazard.
To keep up with the polished appearance over time, you will have to regularly re-polish it to ensure a glassy look.
2. Honed
While polishing provides stones like granites and marbles with a glossy finish, a honed finish will provide a more rustic look. During the honing process, etches, scratches and abrasions are removed so you get a finish that is dust-free and flat. Use honed stones for lobby floors and high-traffic areas.
But because honed surfaces are porous, you will have to reseal them every year with a penetrating sealer so stains don’t occur.
3. Leathered
A leathered finish involves brushing the stone surface with special brushes that gives you a warm, smooth, undulating, soft texture. Use leathered stone finishes on darker stones bearing a non-uniform structure, such as granite. Leathered finishes are good for masking smudges, fingerprints, and water spots, thanks to stain- and slip-resistant qualities demanding minimal maintenance.
4. Tumbled
Tumbled finishes are achieved by tumbling the natural stones in a solution of mild acids, small pebbles, sand, and water. This softens and wears them, resulting in a scuffed and weathered look. Tumbled stone finishes require no maintenance and offer a beautiful, decorative, natural look.
5. Flamed
A flamed finish results as the stone is heated up intensely, then rapidly cooled down. Because flaming will burn most of the stone’s carbon content, the result is a gentle, rustic color. You just have to regularly clean this type of finish, with little to no maintenance. The durability and toughness of this finish lends itself well to areas such as hallways, outdoor kitchens, and entrances.
Contact Granite Guy
No matter what stone you are thinking of installing, our experts can advise you on the right product and finished look for your needs and budget. Contact us today at 508-460-7900 for a free quote.