When selecting your custom stone, in addition to choosing the perfect colour, you will also want to choose the right finish. The finish you choose can greatly enhance how your custom stone looks, feels and can even determine how much maintenance your surface will need in the future. Whether you’re selecting a custom stone surface for a backsplash, bathroom vanity, kitchen countertop, wall cladding, or for flooring, understanding the benefits of each finish will help you make the best decision.
Below is a breakdown of the most popular stone finishes including polished, honed, and leathered, in addition to tips on which surface type to choose depending on your project’s needs.
Honed Finishes
Displaying visually as matte, satin and with a low sheen, a honed finish can easily hide scratches while also offering slip-resistance qualities. This can be incredibly beneficial when choosing custom stone for bathrooms, kitchens or in flooring. As a honed finish naturally absorbs rather than reflects light, this surface type gives a naturally cozier look & feel. When placed in higher traffic areas, custom stone with a honed finish features the ability to conceal wear over time making it a very practical choice. Depending on the stone type selected (Natural vs. manufactured) custom stone with a honed finish will need to be properly sealed before installation. Periodic sealing for peak protection may also be required however, our helpful team is always on hand to help.
Polished Finishes
Featuring a shiny almost reflective look & feel, polished surfaces provide a modern and glossy appearance. This surface type can enhance the colour of your stone making it appear even more vibrant and dramatic. Considerations for choosing a polished surface includes the need to wipe down your surface routinely as fingerprints and daily use can appear more easily. Have a spill or need to do a light clean? Simply use a damp soft cloth to get your surface back to it’s full beauty. Caution should be used when choosing this stone type for flooring as it can become slippery if it comes in contact with water. In addition, this particular surface type is naturally non-porous making maintenance easy down the line.
Leathered Finishes
A leathered finish has a textured, matte look with a soft sheen and a dimpled-like appearance. Created by a specialized diamond-tipped tool, this finish type showcases a rugged, organic look. Selecting a leather finish for your custom stone project is an excellent choice for hiding fingerprints, small scratches and light use. Custom stone colours can also appear deeper in a leathered finish in comparison to honed but not as reflective as polished.
Interested in learning more about these custom stone surface types as well as how to incorporate them into your next project? Reach out to our helpful team today online, by phone (403-253-3738) or, visit us in person at 5230 1st Street S.W. in Calgary.
Recent Comments