10 NATURAL STONE FINISHES TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR HOME

Natural stone has always been the most popular for both interior and exterior home renovation applications. Its ability to withstand use and maintain its appearance is some of the reasons why Granite stone tiles are probably the best choice. A variety of finishes may be applied to stone in order to make it suitable for its intended use.

The following are some of the most popular finishes you can consider for your home:

Natural

A natural finish is one where there is no treatment. The stone is first extracted from the quarry, cut into a desired size and then sold. The look of the piece will be determined by the characteristics of that particular stone and its use. Natural finish stones are appropriate for use in cobblestones and cladding.

Polished

To obtain a shiny and non-porous appearance, natural stone is polished using repeated abrasive treatments. This also improves the resistance of the stone. When stone is polished, it highlights its physical properties and colors. Polished stone is the top choice for floors, interior walls, kitchen countertops and bench tops. This type of finish is not recommended for outdoor paving because of reduced slip resistance.

Aged

To achieve an aged look, the stone receives constant vibration on its surface. The end result is a soft surface. Aged stones are best for interior use.

Tumbled

This is another aging process that is used to create an antique finish. The stone is placed inside a vibrating drum machine with small pieces of stone. Once the vibration begins, the tiles are worn. This process produces an aging effect resulting in soft edges and surfaces. This type of stone is often used in kitchen backsplashes and bathroom tiles.

Bush Hammered

In this finish, the stone is mechanically or manually hit repeatedly with a bush hammer. This creates uniform craters of varying sizes on the surface of the stone. This produces a non-slip surface making it an ideal flooring material for high traffic areas outside the home.

Sandblasted

This finish is produced by repeatedly attacking the stone with silica sand via an air gun. It generates tiny craters that highlight the colors of the stone. This is an ideal surface for flooring.

Mushroom

Using certain masonry tools, the stone is chipped with a number of controlled blows. This results in a unique rustic appearance with irregularities. Natural stone with this finish is ideal for garden decoration.

Leather

To obtain this finish, the stone slab receives repeated brushing with a variety of brush sizes. This results in an undulating surface that is smooth, warm and very soft to the touch. Granite is often sourced with this finish. This finish is sought after for kitchen countertops.

Flamed

To create this finish, the stone’s surface is exposed to a high temperature flame which results in a thin and rough surface. This type of stone is ideal for outdoor use.

Sawn

This finish is created using diamond disc teeth to “saw” the stone. It results in an irregular and rough surface with small undulations and furrows, in a matte tone. This finish is ideal for pathways, patios, paving and steps.