The beauty of natural stones consists in their authentic appearance, in the veins, in the game of shapes and colours. But this charm can be emphasized by the type of finish that is applied to the material, exalting the quality and naturalness of the stone.

 

An accurate processing, not just for improving the aesthetic aspect of the slab, but for changing the physical characteristics of the material, making it for example less slippery for use in wet areas (spa, pool edges, etc.) or more resistant to atmospheric agents and pollution.

 

Some types of finish make the stone smoother, while others give the material a rough texture. In this article we will analyse the main ones.

 

Polishing

This type of finishing which is carried out with abrasive grinding wheels with finer grain in order to obtain a perfectly smooth and specular surface. The brightness underlines the details and beauty of the natural stone. Furthermore, closing the pores of the stone give the slab a better surface protection.

Polishing can be applied to granite, marble, sandstone and travertine and is suitable for indoor use.

 

Honed finish

The honed finish is obtained by using abrasive wheels with different types of fineness. According to the abrasive plate used, it is possible to obtain a high honed, a medium honed, a fine honed or a semi-shiny honed.

The honed surface is matt and porous, but smooth to the touch. Depending on the fineness of the honed it can also present a sort of brightness.

This finish is applicable to marble, granite, travertine and sandstone and is suitable for both indoors and outdoors, as it is long lasting.

 

Leather finish

The leather finish is a particular type honed and brushed finish that emphasises the structure of the material, giving the stone a warmer aspect and making it extremely soft and pleasant to the touch.

 

Acid-etching finish

Acid-etching is a type of finish that is performed by immersing the stone in a special tank containing acid. If applied to granite it simply serves to obtain a cleaner slab. But, when this kind of finish it is applied to marbles, then the porosity of the stone reacts with the acid and create a rough and aged surface.

 

Brushed finish

The brushed finish is obtained by processing the surface with special abrasive brushes. The effect obtained is an “orange peel”, which is smooth and soft to the touch.

This finish is applied to marble, granite, travertine and sandstone.

 

Antique finish

An antique finish is a process which gives to the surface of the stone an aged or weathered look. The processing can be performed with different ways, which change according to the kind of material, but all the techniques are used to exalt the natural colour of the stone and obtain an uneven and an aged aspect.

 

These treatments cannot be applied in the same way to all the materials: for each material and use there is an appropriate finish that gives the best result.

In order to choose the most suitable processing to carry out the project you have in mind, ask for our free consultation: we will be happy to help you find the best finish for your creation.