What are the different types of stone finishes?

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When you are picking your countertop material, choosing the right stone finish for your project can be overwhelming. It is such an important part of your process since it influences the appearance, durability, and maintenance your stone will require.

Continue reading to learn about some of the most popular stone finishes and how to maintain their appeal.

Polished Stone Finish

A polished finish is created by grinding down the surface of the material using fine abrasives until it results in a natural shine. This enables the countertop to reflect light, giving it a glossy appearance.

The polished finish enhances the properties and color of natural stone surfaces. Light-reflecting surfaces enhance small spaces by amplifying light and making the space look bigger. They also have a rich appearance that works well in many formal and traditional-style homes.

Polished stone finishes require regular re-sealing to maintain their elegant glossy look.

Honed countertops have a more organic appearance. This finish is soft, with a matte finish feeling like satin to the touch. Honed materials are visibly lighter in color, so keep that in mind.

It is recommended for more rustic-looking décor, because of its less formal aesthetic. This is a popular finish choice for both granite and marble, especially stone with high-contrast veining that won't be hidden by the matte finish.

Honed surfaces are very porous and require resealing with a penetrating sealer to prevent and delay staining.

Leather or Suede Finish

Leather and suede textured countertops are a step up from honed counters. This finish style isn't quite as matte as a honed counter, but it still doesn't have the gloss of polished stone, either.

As a bridge between matte and gloss finishes, leather textures are more of a satin finish. Typically, leather finishes are created by brushing the finish on a honed counter, which gives it the soft look and feel of suede.

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A leathered stone finish is good at hiding fingerprints, water spots, and smudges. It is more stain- and slip-resistant and requires minimal maintenance.

Brushed Finish

In order to create a brushed finish, fabricators gently brush the material's surface until it becomes textured. Like the honed finish, brushed countertops dilute the color of the material, making it appear lighter in color.

A brushed finish typically has no sheen. This finish is suitable for outdoor use, as the texture will provide traction for surfaces that will be wet or exposed to the elements. Though not recommended for kitchen and bathroom countertops, because of its porosity, it is also applicable to tops for a rustic look.

Brushed finishes also require frequent sealing. They are most likely to become stained when not properly sealed or maintained. Dust and debris tend to accumulate on the uneven surface of a brushed finish, so it needs more cleaning and maintenance.

Stone Finish Options: Pros and Cons

Selecting the perfect natural stone for your home is a big decision. Different stone surfaces have different properties, and each brings a unique look and feel to a space. Aside from factors like its color, veining patterns, and composition, the stone finish applied to stone countertops, tiles, or other stone surfaces can dramatically change its appearance. Read on to learn all about different stone finishes and the pros and cons of each from the experts at Cosmos SurfacesTM.

Polished Stone Finish

A polished stone finish is achieved by mechanically rubbing or polishing a natural stone surface with polishing pads until the surface becomes smooth and shiny. A polished stone finish can be applied to any type of natural stone, including granite, marble, and quartzite.

Pros of a Polished Stone Finish

• Polished stones are less porous and therefore more durable and stain-resistant
• The shiny look of polished stone adds a feel of newness and cleanliness
• Polished stone helps achieve an elegant, luxurious aesthetic
• This finish highlights a stone's colors and patterns
• A reflective finish tends to brighten a room and make a space feel larger

Cons of a Polished Stone Finish

• Polished finishes can draw attention to flaws in the stone
• Smudges, stains, and fingerprints are more visible
• Acidic substances or abrasive cleaners can cause corrosion

Honed Stone Finish

A honed stone finish is smooth, much like a polished finish, but rather than a reflective, shiny look, honed surfaces are matte with a satiny, buffed appearance. This warm, inviting finish can be applied to all natural stone surfaces during the fabrication process.

Pros of a Honed Stone Finish

• It creates a smooth work surface
• Honed finishes are easy to clean
• This finish conceals fingerprints and smudges
• A honed finish can help create a laid-back, warm, and inviting look

Cons of a Honed Stone Finish

• Honed finishes can slightly mute a stone's color and patterning features
• Chips and scratches can be more noticeable
• This finish is slightly more porous than a polished finish, which means honed stone may need to be resealed more frequently than polished stone.

Leathered Stone Finish

A leathered finish, sometimes also known as an "antiqued" finish, is achieved by etching the stone with an implement like a wire or diamond-tipped brush. This technique gives the stone a weathered, rustic look. A leathered stone finish can be applied to marble, granite, and quartzite stone surfaces, while buyers are advised to check in with fabricators when seeking this finish on other types of natural stone.

Pros of a Leathered Stone Finish

• This finish has some texture but feels smooth to the touch
• Leathered finishes have a unique, custom appearance
• They help achieve a warm, rustic design aesthetic
• Fingerprints, smudges, and stains are more easily concealed
• A leathered finish can enhance a stone's color

Cons of a Leathered Stone Finish

• This finish has some texture to it, which can make cleaning slightly more challenging
• The non-reflective nature of this finish can make a small space feel smaller
• Chips and scratches may be noticeable

Flamed Stone Finish

A flamed stone finish, also known as a "thermal" finish, is achieved with a high-temperature torch. This creates a rough texture with a coarse finish. Granite and quartzite can both accept a flamed finish, while less durable stones cannot.

Pros of a Flamed Stone Finish

• This finish creates a non-slip texture
• Flamed finishes are less common, giving a space a unique, custom appearance
• The coarse texture helps create a warm, earthy look and feel

Cons of a Flamed Stone Finish

• The rough texture of this finish makes it more difficult to clean
• Flamed finishes leave stone surfaces more porous, requiring frequent sealing to protect against stains and moisture issues

Sandblasted Stone Finish

A high-pressure stream of water and sand is applied to create a sandblasted stone finish. This process works on all types of natural stone, creating a rough, yet uniform texture.

Pros of a Sandblasted Stone Finish

• A silky, matte surface appearance
• This finish is popular for outdoor monuments, artwork, gravestones, and statues
• Sandblasted finishes can be coarse or fine, which creates either a darker or lighter finish, respectively

Cons of a Sandblasted Stone Finish

• This finish is popular for outdoor features like monuments, but less so for indoor applications
• This finishing process can alter or "soften" a stone's natural colors and patterns

Natural Stone at Cosmos SurfacesTM

The look of your natural stone surfaces can be customized to perfection by applying a specific stone finish. If you have questions about natural stone surfaces and stone finishes, reach out to the experts at Cosmos.

Cosmos SurfacesTM is a family-owned business dedicated to providing high-quality surface materials. Browse our selection of natural stone, tiles, porcelain slabs, and sinks today.

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