18 Types of Natural Stone Finishes for Different Applications

When an architect along with its team, including civil engineers, structural engineers, and others going to design any space they prioritize aesthetics the most. Aesthetics remain at the center while designing the spatial mood, coordinating themes and motifs, as well as establishing the utility of the spaces.

When you think of using natural stone as a prime material to bring superb aesthetics in your spatial designs, some fundamental regarding stone finishes must clear in your mind. Thereby, I am going to introduce you top 19(Nineteen) types of natural stone finishes appropriate for different applications, including indoor & outdoor.

 No. 1----Polished Finish

The surface is very smooth, highly polished, has a mirror effect and high gloss. Granite, marble and limestone are usually polished and require different maintenance to maintain their gloss.

No.2---- Honed Stone Finish (Matt)

The surface is smooth, but polished to a low degree, producing diffuse reflection, no gloss, no mirror effect, and no light pollution.

No.3----Rough-Rubbing

The surface is simply polished, and the machine-cut pattern formed during the cutting of the wool board can be worn away. It feels very rough and matte.

No.4----Machine-Cut(sawn stone finish)

It is directly cut and shaped by equipment such as disc saw sand saw or bridge cutting machine, the surface is rough, with obvious machine-cutting lines.

No.5---- Pickling

The surface of the stone is corroded with a strong acid, so that it has small signs of corrosion, and the appearance is more rustic than the polished surface. Most stones can be pickled, but the most common are marble and limestone. Pickling is also a way to soften the luster of granite.

No.6----Bushhammered

The surface is rough and uneven, and small holes are dug out on the surface with a chisel. There is an effect that mimics the drop of water on the stone over the years.

No.7---- pineapple (Picked)

The surface is more uneven than lychee processing, just like the skin of a pineapple.

No.8-----Chiselled

Also called longan surface, it is chopped on the stone surface with an axe to form a very dense strip-like texture, some like the effect of a longan epidermis.

No.9----Flamed

rough surface. This kind of surface is mainly used in interiors such as floors or as the finish of commercial buildings, and the labor cost is high. After heating at high temperature, it is quickly cooled to form a burnt surface. The burnt surface is generally granite.

No.10----Nature Split

Commonly known as natural surface, its surface is rough, but not as rough as fire. This surface treatment is usually cut by hand or pierced in the mine to expose the natural cracked surface of the stone.

No.11----Tumbled

The surface is smooth or slightly rough, and the corners are smooth and broken. There are several ways to achieve the tumbling effect.

20mm bricks can be tumbled in the machine, 3cm bricks can also be tumbled and then split into two tiles. Marble and limestone are the materials of choice for tumble processing.

No.12-----Brushed

Surface is old. The process is to scrub the surface of the stone, imitating the natural abrasion effect of the stone.

No.13----Water-jet

The high-pressure water directly impacts the surface of the stone, stripping the softer ingredients to form a unique matte decorative effect.

No.14----Antique

Surface processing that imitates the ancient effect of stone after a certain number of years is generally treated with antique abrasive brushes or antique water. Generally, antique abrasive brushes are more effective and cost-effective, and more environmentally friendly.

No.15----Flamed + Brushed

Fire first and then do antique processing.

No.16----Pickling + Brushed

After pickling, do antique processing.

No.17----Sandblasted

Ordinary river sand or emery is used instead of high-pressure water to wash the surface of the stone to form a decorative surface with a flat frosted effect.

No.18----Grooved

Groove a certain depth and width on the stone surface

No.19----Mushroom Stone

Generally, it is cut by hand. The effect is similar to that of natural cutting, but the top surface of the stone is a plateau-like shape with a depression around the middle protrusion.