Surface finishes not only alter the appearance but more importantly the performance of natural stone tiles. It is essential to choose finishes suitable for the intended use, particularly for any outdoor floor application. Using different techniques will affect the stone’s functionality providing different slip resistance, weather resistance and water resistance. Our natural stone tiles are available in a wide variety of finishes, colours and sizes. Let’s explore the most popular natural stone finishes of STS STONE:

Natural Stone Exterior Finishes

SANDBLASTED

In sandblasting, a high-pressure jet of siliceous sand or steel shots is applied to the area to be treated. This treatment produces a smooth abrasion, leaving the material with a slightly scratched (but not rugged) surface. The colour tones and the veins are slightly dulled. Sandblasted stone has a degree of slip-resistance, making it an ideal finish for exterior applications.

Recommended use: Outdoor floors, alfresco & pool areas, pool coping, paving, pathways, driveways

ANTIQUE (SANDBLASTED & BRUSHED)

After the stone has undergone a sandblasting process, the surface is then brushed with mechanical wires to make the stone smooth and slightly restore the colour. Stone in Antique finish is perfect for outside areas when slip-resistance is important.

Recommended use: Outdoor floors, alfresco & pool areas, pool coping, paving, pathways, driveways

FLAMED & BRUSHED

This process entails passing a blowpipe that emits a high-temperature flame over the surface to be treated. The heat acts by blowing the crystals out as they suffer thermal shock, with an effect that is particularly evident in materials composed of minerals with various degrees of expansion, (such as the vast majority of granites). The resulting surface is rough, non-slip and generally faded in colour, thereby hiding defects and tone variations. Ideal for all exterior applications.

Recommended use: Outdoor floors, alfresco & pool areas, pool coping, paving, pathways, driveways

BUSH HAMMERED & BRUSHED

A bush-hammered and brushed effect is obtained by pounding the material surface mechanically or by hand with a specific multi-pointed tool. End result is a rugged surface full of little grazes at the impact points and a lighter colour. This process gives the stone more texture and enhances slip resistance. Mostly used in exterior areas.

Recommended use: Outdoor floors, alfresco & pool areas, pool coping, paving, pathways, driveways

TUMBLED

The tumbled finish is essentially an ageing effect. This finish creates softer surfaces and rumbled edges suited for Travertines & Limestones. Tumbled look is aesthetically pleasing and exudes character and warmth and suits an French provincial design style. Suitable for use indoors and outdoors.

Recommended use: Travertine tiles in tumbled finish for outdoors. Limestone tiles in tumbled finish for indoors

Interior Finishes

POLISHED

A polished finish is created when a stone surface reaches its most refined stage. It is buffed to the highest level possible, and the results are either a high shine or the actual highest level of shine that can be achieved naturally. This finish gives the stone a very elegant and rich look, providing it with a pinnacle depth of colour.

Recommended use: Indoor only. Floors, walls, benchtops, kitchen islands, splashbacks, bathrooms, cut to size features

HONED

A honed finish is achieved when rubber heads smooth out the stone’s surface to create an overall consistency and uniformity in the stone’s texture. When suppliers are finalising a honed finish, they typically sand the stone just before it reaches the polishing phase. This accounts for its lack of glossiness and gives the stone a more matte appearance. Natural stones in Honed finish have a smooth, non-reflective, satiny sheen and are mainly used for interior floors and walls.

Recommended use: Indoor only. Floors, walls, benchtops, kitchen islands, splashbacks, bathrooms, cut to size features

BRUSHED

The brushed finish gives the stone surface a slightly textured feel and aged nature. Using hard nylon or steel mechanical brushes the natural stone tile results in a rough to the touch but rather smooth finish.

Recommended use: Indoor countertops, vanities, feature walls.

LEATHERED

A leathered finish stone has a surface that is textured and pebbly, like leather. This type of finish is achieved by further processing the stone through sanding and buffing, sometimes using brushes and water jets. While the surface appears well-worn and weathered, it is pleasantly smooth to the touch. Stone in a Leathered finish feature a soft sheen and a textured appearance. Only certain hard-wearing types of stone slabs like quartzite, dolomite and granite can get leathered.

Recommended use: Indoor bench tops, kitchen islands, feature walls.