Polished, honed, leather or flamed: choosing a stone finish
The same stone can look and feel very different depending on its finish. A short guide to the four finishes we offer.
A finish is the final treatment of a stone surface. It changes the shine, the feel underfoot or underhand, the way colour appears and how the surface behaves in daily use. The same granite can look like a different stone in each finish.
Polished
A reflective, glossy surface. Polishing usually brings out colour and pattern most strongly, which is why it is popular for countertops and feature walls. Glossy surfaces can show fingerprints and water marks, and they can be slippery when wet, so think carefully before using them where people walk.
Honed
A smooth, matte surface with little or no shine. Honed stone has a softer, quieter look and colours often appear a little more muted than in the polished version.
Leather
A textured surface with a soft sheen and a slightly undulating feel, brushed rather than polished. It gives a tactile finish that many people like on countertops and vanities. Textured surfaces need regular cleaning so dirt does not settle in the texture.
Flamed
A rough, heat-textured surface made by exposing the stone to high heat. It gives grip and is often chosen for outdoor areas such as steps, paving and exterior floors. The colour usually looks lighter and less deep than the polished version.
Ask for a sample in the finish you plan to use. Colour and pattern can look noticeably different from one finish to another, and not every finish suits every stone.
Choosing
- Kitchen worktops and vanities: polished, honed or leather, depending on the look you want.
- Wet or outdoor floors: consider a textured finish, and confirm slip resistance for your project with your designer or fabricator.
- Feature walls: polished for depth of colour, honed for a softer effect.
Have a project in mind?
Tell us the stone, finish, thickness and quantity you are considering.