When choosing natural stone for countertops, flooring, or other surfaces, the finish is just as important as the stone itself. The finish not only influences the stone’s appearance but also its texture, durability, and maintenance requirements. As a natural stone provider in the Chicago area, Terra Stone is committed to helping our customers understand the different finishes available for stone slabs. From brushed to translucent, each finish has its own unique qualities and benefits. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular stone finishes.
Brushed Finish
A brushed finish is achieved through a light abrasive treatment, giving the stone a slightly textured, matte surface. This finish is ideal for those seeking a more rustic look with a bit of character but still easy to clean. The texture can help hide fingerprints and smudges, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens. The brushed finish also provides a non-slippery surface, which is beneficial for bathroom floors or wet areas.
Deep Leather Finish
The deep leather finish is a variation of the leathered finish, but with more depth and richness. It has a richer, more textured surface, enhancing the stone’s natural veins and imperfections. This finish creates a more luxurious feel and is often chosen for high-end, dramatic surfaces. The deep leathered texture makes the stone more scratch and stain-resistant compared to other finishes, making it a popular choice for high-use kitchen countertops.
Honed Finish
A honed finish is a smooth, matte surface achieved by grinding down the stone to remove its glossy finish. This finish provides a more muted and understated appearance while preserving the stone’s natural color and veining. Honed finishes are especially popular for stones like marble and limestone, as they create a clean, modern look. This finish is less reflective than polished stones, offering a more subtle and contemporary aesthetic.
Honed & Polished Finish
As the name suggests, the honed & polished finish combines both honed and polished surfaces. The edges or some areas of the stone are polished, while the rest of the surface is honed. This provides a unique contrast between a smooth, matte look and a shiny, reflective area. The combination of these two finishes is perfect for creating visual interest and can add dimension to a space.
Leathered Finish
A leathered finish is achieved by brushing the surface of the stone with abrasive tools, giving it a textured, matte appearance. Leathered stone has a soft feel that mimics the look and texture of leather, providing a unique and tactile surface. This finish is great for those who want something that feels more natural and sophisticated without the high gloss of a polished stone. It’s highly resistant to stains and scratches, which is an added bonus in high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Polished Finish
A polished finish is the most common finish for stone surfaces, particularly for those who want a shiny, glossy look. Polished stone has a smooth, reflective surface that highlights the stone’s natural colors and veining. This finish enhances the luxury of materials like marble and granite and creates a bright, vibrant look. While it does require regular maintenance to keep its shine, the polished finish is perfect for those looking to make a bold statement in their kitchen or bathroom.
Polished & Leathered Finish
The polished & leathered finish is a hybrid approach that combines the sleek, glossy appearance of a polished finish with the textured, soft feel of a leathered finish. This combination creates a dynamic surface with reflective highlights and tactile texture, making it an attractive and functional option for countertops and islands. This finish is versatile and works well in both modern and traditional spaces, offering both visual and functional appeal.
Satin Soft Leather Finish
The satin soft leather finish provides a soft sheen with a smooth, velvety texture. This finish falls between matte and glossy, offering a subtle, understated elegance. It has the tactile feel of leather with a slight reflective quality that enhances the stone’s natural colors. The satin soft leather finish is popular for those who want a luxurious appearance without the full gloss of a polished stone. It’s easy to maintain and resistant to smudges and fingerprints, making it a great choice for kitchen islands and countertops.
Translucent Finish
The translucent finish is a relatively new and innovative option that enhances the natural beauty of the stone by allowing light to pass through it. This finish is often used for backlit applications, where the stone appears to glow when illuminated. Translucent stone is typically used for unique and dramatic designs, such as glowing countertops, backsplashes, or accent walls. This finish gives a more ethereal quality to the stone, perfect for creating a show-stopping effect in contemporary and modern spaces.
Which Finish is Right for You?
Choosing the right finish for your stone slab depends on your personal style, maintenance preferences, and the specific area where the stone will be installed. At Terra Stone, a premier natural stone provider in the Chicago area, we offer a wide selection of finishes for all types of stone, from marble to quartzite and more.
Each finish offers unique benefits, so it’s important to consider how you want your stone to feel, look, and perform. Whether you’re looking for a polished, glossy finish for a luxurious effect or a textured, leathered look for durability and style, we have options to suit your needs.
Visit our Schiller Park showroom today to explore our full range of stone slabs with various finishes. Our team at Terra Stone is here to help you find the perfect stone finish for your next project!
