Polished:
This surface is very smooth and not very porous. The reflectivity of polished crystals brings out the brilliant colors and grains of natural stone. The shine comes from the natural reflection of the stones crystals. Polishing bricks and polishing powders that are used during fabrication provide the polish.
Honed:
Same as the polished finish, but without the final shine. Range from no reflection to a smooth satin finish. The range depends on the abrasives and the type (density) of the stone. Honed floors should always be protected with Stoneguard Penetrating Sealer because it has wide-open pores.
Tumbled:
The surface and edges appear to be rough and textured that is achieved by tumbling small pieces of marble, limestone, sometimes granite to achieve an archaic/worn appearance, and ideal for rustic settings.
Unfilled:
Travertine
naturally has voids:
you can select unfilled
for a rustic look,
unfilled will collect dirt
more easily.
Filled:
Filler is used to fill the holes in travertine. It is much more practical for the floor and provides a smoother look.
Antiqued:
Similar to the honed, tumble, or flamed finish; however, it should appear to have a slight sheen. Symbolizing stone that was originally was installed rough and raw. Can be stained with dark tints and waxes for traditional look.
The most popular natural stones, each with a
unique feel, touch and look, are:
Granite crystallizes from magma that
cools slowly, deep below the earth’s surface.
Exceptionally slow rates of cooling give rise to a
very coarse-grained variety called pegmatite.
Granite used to identify a group of minerals that
often contains Quartz, Feldspar, Plagioclase, etc
and is igneous (or seem to be) in origin. Usually
have darker colors. Contains very little calcite, if
any. Provides a heavy crystalline and granular
appearance with mineral grains. It is very hard
material and easier to maintain than marble. It is
still porous and will stain. There are different
types of granite depending on the percentage mix
of quartz, mica and feldspar.
Mainly consists of calcite. It does not
show much graining or crystalline structure.
Limestone contains a number of distinguishable
natural characteristics, including calcite streaks or
spots, fossils or shell formations, iron spots,
travertine-like formations and grain formation
changes. One or a combination of these
characteristics will affect the texture. Limestone
has a smooth granular surface. Varies in
hardness. Some dense limestone can be polished.
Common colors are black, grey, white, yellow or
brown. Limestone is known to contain lime from
seawater.
A recrystallized limestone that formed
when the limestone softened from heat and
pressure and recrystallized into Marble where
mineral changes occurred. The main consistency
is calcium and dolomite. Ranges in many colors
and is usually heavily veined and shows lots of
grains.
Slate a fine-grained stone that
formed from clay, rock shale, and sometimes
quartz. They are very thin which can break easily
and usually black, grey, or green.
Granite:
Granite crystallizes from magma that
cools slowly, deep below the earth’s surface.
Exceptionally slow rates of cooling give rise to a
very coarse-grained variety called pegmatite.
Granite used to identify a group of minerals that
often contains Quartz, Feldspar, Plagioclase, etc
and is igneous (or seem to be) in origin. Usually
have darker colors. Contains very little calcite, if
any. Provides a heavy crystalline and granular
appearance with mineral grains. It is very hard
material and easier to maintain than marble. It is
still porous and will stain. There are different
types of granite depending on the percentage mix
of quartz, mica and feldspar.
Limestone:
Mainly consists of calcite. It does not
show much graining or crystalline structure.
Limestone contains a number of distinguishable
natural characteristics, including calcite streaks or
spots, fossils or shell formations, iron spots,
travertine-like formations and grain formation
changes. One or a combination of these
characteristics will affect the texture. Limestone
has a smooth granular surface. Varies in
hardness. Some dense limestone can be polished.
Common colors are black, grey, white, yellow or
brown. Limestone is known to contain lime from
seawater.
Marble:
A recrystallized limestone that formed
when the limestone softened from heat and
pressure and recrystallized into Marble where
mineral changes occurred. The main consistency
is calcium and dolomite. Ranges in many colors
and is usually heavily veined and shows lots of
grains.
Slate:
The shale from which slate originate were deposited previously on clay beds. Subsequent earth movements tilted these beds of shale, at first horizontal, and the intense metamorphism that converted these into slates folded and contracted them.
Slate a fine-grained stone that
formed from clay, rock shale, and sometimes
quartz. They are very thin which can break easily
and usually black, grey, or green.
Proper maintenance is crucial. Natural
stone products are porous by nature
and require a different maintenance
program than ceramic tile.
A stone enhancer is used on tumbled, antique, or on slate where a darker, enriched character is desired (wet look). IT will also darken the color of grout joints, suitable for interior and exterior use and rated to protect the stone a minimum of 3 years.