Surface Finsihes
What are Surface Finishes?
Surface finishes are gaining popularity over time owing to their low maintenance and less visibility of stains, fingerprints and watermarks. The process of leathering preserves the natural sheen of the stone making it appear less glossy as compared to the polished finish. The leathered finish is increasingly embraced by homeowners for their kitchen and countertops. The finish is obtained by moving diamond-tipped brushes across the surface rendering it the look and feel of textured leather. It makes the surface less porous, easier to clean and smooth and pleasant to touch.
Leathered
Leathered surfaces are gaining popularity over time owing to their low maintenance and less visibility of stains, fingerprints and watermarks. The process of leathering preserves the natural sheen of the stone making it appear less glossy as compared to the polished finish. The leathered finish is increasingly embraced by homeowners for their kitchen and countertops. The finish is obtained by moving diamond-tipped brushes across the surface rendering it the look and feel of textured leather. It makes the surface less porous, easier to clean and smooth and pleasant to touch.
Polished
Due to its tendency towards high gloss, the ‘polished furnish’ is usually applied to granite. However, it can also be applied to a variety of other materials, including stone and concrete. The polishing makes the surface shine so that it becomes a centerpiece in your kitchen. Due to this, some homeowners may choose to use only the polished granite for the surfaces of their kitchen island.
The process involves buffing the concrete as much as possible. This smooths out the material, giving it a naturally shiny appearance. Polished surfaces give off a rich, sumptuous look, with a diverse color scheme.
Flamed & Brushed
A flamed and brushed finish is quite popular due to its practicality. The high temperature applied to the material causes the material to become slip resistant. Commonly used on granite, the process effectively covers any imperfections on the surface or the stone. It also gives the surface a natural, slightly faded look that the other polishes may not create.
If it is applied to a stone surface with a yellow tone, the oxidation process will give the material a pale red or orange look. This makes this furnish an attractive choice for some homeowners, as it causes a dramatic effect on a surface with softer colors.
Honed
Recently, the choice of a ‘honed finish’ has become popular in the kitchen, as it gives a soft appearance. While the process involves the polished finish, the manufacturer will not ‘buff’ or ‘polish’ it to that extent.
Despite this, the surface will still be smooth, though it will give a slightly dull look. This can be advantageous as the lack of ‘glossy surface’ makes the countertop highly scratch-resistant. When honed, a material will be non-reflective, developing a more satiny finish. The finish is a preferred choice for some homeowners, as it does not affect the natural color or pattern of the material.
Bush-Hammered
The ‘bush-hammered’ process is a popular choice for a countertop finish. It reduces the chances of staining on the surface, while the grazing makes the surface slip resistant, which is ideal for usage in the kitchen. It also ensures resistance to acidic liquid, like lemon and tomato juice. If these liquids come into contact with the countertops, they won’t lose their sheen or sustain damage due to acidity. The technique gets its name from the tool that manufacturers use—a bush hammer. It produces small indentations in the surface, giving it a textured finish. It also lightens the color of the material and dulls its natural pattern.
Sandblasted
In this process, the surface is aggressively sanded to remove layers of the stone in order to level the surface. Most often than not, stone tiles are uneven or have “lippage” issues. “Lippage” is the term given to uneven tiles that are set higher than one another, if your stones have Lips, it will allow space for dirt and liquid to accumulate, over time, these will stain and make the surface dull.
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Frequently Asked Questions
CAN RUGS DAMAGE MARBLE, GRANITE, OR OTHER STONE FLOORS?
Rugs especially with rubber or latex base can cause friction against the marble, granite or other natural stones while sliding. Moreover, the dirt & grit that accumulates on rugs over the time can also damage the stone floor when displaced from their place with pressure. Therefore, Stone Surgeon advises the use of rug holders to keep rugs at place and avoid stone and marble damage and keep your marble clean and polished.
DO YOU CHARGE FOR REQUESTING A QUOTATION OR ESTIMATE?
At Stone Surgeon there are absolutely no charges for consultation or getting an estimate for the amount of work involved. Our engineers are always ready to help you with your stone and marble cleaning, polishing, sealing, and restoration questions.
WILL THERE BE DUST DURING THE STONE CLEANING, POLISHING, OR RESTORATION PROCESS?
No, Stone Surgeon takes all measures such as using diamond abrasives and water to ensure that a minimal disruption is caused in your daily routine while undertaking stone and marble cleaning, polishing, or restoration activities.
HOW CAN I KNOW HOW DAMAGED MY MARBLE, GRANITE, OR NATURAL STONES ARE AND WHAT RESTORATION METHOD IS BEST TO CLEAN IT?
Different stones need to be treated differently to restore their natural sheen. Light & porous stones such as marble, limestone, and granite are more vulnerable to damage if not taken care of properly. Stone Surgeon engineers will first analyze the stone before working out the restoration method.
WHY CAN'T I CLEAN THE STAINS OR WATER SPOTS ON MY MARBLE, TRAVERTINE, ONYX, LIMESTONE, SLATE, TERRAZZO, QUARTZITE, OR GRANITE SURFACE.
Sometimes, we mistakenly consider the etch marks as water spots. This happens usually when an acid comes in contact with the calcium based stones. Generally, polishing the stone is the best resort in such instances.
WILL I NEED TO EMPTY THE SPACE WHILE THE RESTORATION OR MAINTENANCE WORK IS BEING CARRIED OUT?
No, Stone Surgeon doesn't require you to vacate the place or move things while we carry out our job. We take care of your furniture, carpets & walls during the process & make necessary arrangements beforehand, if required.
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Stone Surgeon, Inc.,
7 Jefry Ln
Hicksville, NY 11801
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contact@stonesurgeonus.com
Stone Surgeon, Inc., brings a decade and a half of granite, slate, onyx, limestone, travertine, terrazzo, quartzite, and marble cleaning, polishing, sealing, and restoration experience to New York City, Long Island, and the greater New York area. Our engineers specialize in natural stone care, repair, and maintenance. Contact Stone Surgeon for more information.
