Using natural stone for interior and exterior applications in your home is a great idea. This fantastic material has been revered for its timeless beauty and appreciated for its hardy durability for centuries. One crucial aspect of using stone, however, is not just the type of material itself but the stone finish.
The right tile finishes can make or break your use of stone. Not only can it enhance the aesthetic appeal of the surface, but it also provides practical protection from exposure to moisture and susceptibility to staining.
In this guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know to get started with stone finishes and make the right choice for your particular application.
The Basics of Stone Finishes
The term “finish” refers to the treatment applied to the surface of the natural stone to either alter its appearance or enhance its performance, or both.
This step is crucial in the fabrication process of the stone tiles you’re looking to use and can influence not just the stone’s colour and texture, but its durability and longevity. The right stone finish can help shield the material you’ve invested in from wear and tear and damage by melements and moisture, keeping it functioning and looking as good as new.
Finding the Right Tile Finishes
Selecting the appropriate finish for your needs is quite important. A considered and well-informed choice of finish will ensure that your stone complements your overall design choices and ensures that it features the right level of resilience against the elements it may encounter once installed.
Marble, granite, limestone and the array of other natural stone materials all bring with them unique qualities and aesthetic appeal. Matching the stone with the right finish for its particular application can contribute significantly to the visual appeal and the value of your home.
How to Choose a Stone Finish
1. What type of stone are you using?
While all natural stone looks great and works like a charm in a range of applications, they do respond differently to various finishes. The specific characteristics of the stone, such as the porosity of marble or the hardiness of granite, can mean that certain finishes are more appropriate than others.
2. Where are you placing the stone?
Are your stone tiles going outside? Is the natural stone going to be featured inside? The location of your stone finish application will be a significant factor to consider. Exterior finishes need to be hardier to withstand exposure to weather conditions, while internal applications may be better suited to finishes that prioritise aesthetic and/or easiness to clean.
3. What maintenance requirements are you looking for?
Different stone finishes require different types and intensity of maintenance routines. Consider your willingness and ability to maintain your stone when considering the different types of finishes available.
4. What are your style preferences?
This one is up to you, for better or worse. Consider what sort of aesthetic you’re going for. A finish can be used to either intensify a stone’s natural colour, subdue it, or add a different element that can contrast or complement the rest of your interior design.
5. Do you have additional needs?
While we’ve spoken a lot about the aesthetic and hardy attributes of stone tile finishes, there is another beneficial function to them. Certain stone finishes offer features such as slip resistance, which can be crucial for applications such as patios or pool areas. These special finish options provide a safe surface in wet conditions and should be considered when weighing up your various options.
Natural Stone Finishes: The most popular options
The Polished Finish
Perhaps the most famous of the options when it comes to stone finishes, a polished finish achieves a glossy, reflective surface and is popular for use on marble and granite. The polish works to enhance the natural colour of the stone and helps ensure its patterns and veining pop.
The Honed Finish
The honed finish, also sometimes referred to as a matte finish, is smooth to the touch like the polished finish but without the shine. Honed finishes are commonly used for areas exposed to higher levels of traffic where a polish wouldn’t last. It provides an equally appealing visual style but in a more casual and understated way.
The Flamed Finish
The flamed finish is most commonly used for materials such as granite and in applications where you want to achieve a textured surface reminiscent of a rustic aesthetic. The flamed finish, as its name suggests, is achieved through exposing the stone to high temperatures and makes for a highly suitable finish on stone being used in exterior applications.
The Brushed Finish
This unimaginatively named finish is achieved by brushing the surface of the natural stone with a stiff and abrasive brush. It creates a rather comforting and visually interesting textured look and unique aesthetic. It can be more difficult to keep clean and maintain however.
The Tumbled Finish
The tumbled finish involves tumbling the stone pieces with an abrasive material to create an intentionally worn appearance and evoke suggestions of an antique quality. Travertine and limestone tiles are common recipients of the tumbled finish as it complements their sedimentary make-up.
The Split Face Finish
Achieved by splitting natural stone along its natural cleavage lines, this finish achieves a rough and yet artistically textured surface. It is particularly popular for use in accent walls and exterior cladding thanks to its visually arresting appearance.
The Sandblasted Finish
With the sandblasted finish, a high pressure stream of sand is applied to the surface of the natural stone achieving a matte appearance but with a subtly textured surface. Apart from the aesthetic appeal of this finish, it also offers a degree of slip resistance making it highly popular for use in outdoor settings.
The Leathered Finish
Much like its name suggests, the leathered finish helps to create a leather-like surface to the natural stone. Textured yet smooth, it is gaining popularity for use in interior applications particularly granite and stone countertops where homeowners want both the contemporary style of stone but with the warmth of a leather-esque surface.
At Euro Marble, we’ll help you finish the job!
Finding the right stone finish for you is a crucial step in the design and construction of your home, in terms of both aesthetics and functionality.
