Finishes of Granite

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Granite surfaces may be finished in a number of ways. In general, smooth finishes tend to emphasize color and veining, whereas rough finishes tend to subdue the veining or markings.

Typical finishes are:

Polished

A glossy surface that reflects light and emphasizes the color and markings of the stone. This finish is typically used on walls, furniture tops, and floor tiles.

Honed

A satin-smooth surface with relatively little light reflection. It is generally preferred for floors, stair treads, thresholds, and other areas where heavy traffic will wear a polished finish.

Fine Rubbed

Smooth and free from scratches, no sheen.

Sawn 

A comparatively rough surface.

Thermal (Flamed)

Rough surface produced by application of high temperature flame to the surface. Typically used on granite floor tiles.

Other finishes such as shot ground, sand blasted and bushed hammered are also available.

Some stone finishes can affect strength and durability. Examples are brush hammered and thermal finishes which initially reduce a stone's thickness and also make's it more vulnerable to weakening from exposure to freeze and thaw cycles.

(The type of finish desired bears some relationship to final cost.)

Reference: Dimensional Stone Design Manual, Marble Institute of America

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