Not long ago most people purchasing stone selected this natural material because of the polished, sleek look that marble annd granite provide. But today, many homeowners are looking for a relaxed, aged look and suppliers are meeting that demand with some interesting finishes. Whether you are looking for a contemporary look, or the warmth and romance of a French chateaux, these stone finishes will highlight the natural beauty of your real stone:
Tumbled – a special technique used to create a worn weathered affect, a tumbled finish is achieved by placing the stone in a “tumbling drum” with aggregates, chemical and pebbles. This combination batters the face of the tile as well as rounding and softening the edges.
Chiseled – Normally found on aged marble, travertine or limestone, a drill bit is used on the edge of the tile to give it a highly distressed look.
Brushed – A coarse wire rotary brush is passed over the face of the stone to give it a worn but satin-smooth finish.
Undulated – This finish recreates the look of exposure to extreme elements and/or thousands of years of foot traffic.
Reclaimed – Original stone flooring that has been carefully removed from old homes, street or shops.
Flamed – Flaming stone is done to dull stone and is accomplished through exposure to extremely high heat.
Honed – Honed stone offers a smooth flat or matt finish.
Polished – Very hard stones such as granite can be polished for a shiny, high glass finish that can draw out the true color and full character of the stone.
Thanks to the introduction of these populare stone treatments, your stone design possibilities are endless!