There are different finishes that can be applied to your material. Information is provided below to help you make a decision on your desired finish!
Polished Finish
A polished surface finish is shiny and reflective. This is a glossy mirror like finish. The full colour, depth, and crystal structure of the stone is visible. Your stone appears darker and the colours seem richer. A polished finish will highlight the character of your natural stone. This finish is considered the finest and smoothest finish available.
It is easier to keep your worktops or tiles clean and free from staining. A polished finish seals or closes more of the pores of the stone surface which helps the stone repel moisture. It is nearly impervious to weather and chemical wear.
A polished finish does not mean you don't need to seal your stone. Some stones are really porous and need to be sealed regardless of the surface finish.
Satin Finish
A satin surface finish is a middle of the road finish. This is a newer surface finish which has a light or a faint gloss. It is neither as shiny as the polished finish nor as matte like as the honed granite finish. It is in between the two.
Honed Finish
To achieve a honed surface finish, the finishing process ends prior to the buffing stage. The result is a smooth surface without reflection. The stone will have a matte like appearance. The finish remains flatter than a full gloss polish. Generally, this finish is preferred for floors, stairs, and other locations where the presence of water might make a polished finish slippery or where foot traffic may wear off a polished finish.
Honed material can and is used for kitchen worktops. But, taking the high gloss polish off your stone will decrease the depth of colour and depending on the type of material, may make it more susceptible to surface staining.
A finish resulting from treating the stone surface with a coarse wire rotary brush, creating a surface with a smooth but undulated, leather like finish.
Flamed & Brushed FinishExtreme heat is applied to the granite work surface to create a deeply textured surface. This granite surface is then also brushed with a coarse wire rotary brush resulting in some of the roughness being removed - a textured, lightly rippled & smooth finish to the granite surface is achieved.
