When stone is ordered, it is fabricated with a particular type of surface. There are six main types of surfaces that are selected:
HONING
Except when carried out with a No. 4 abrasive plate, which gives an appearance, similar to polishing, honing confers perfect flatness but not specular characteristics. Although there is a reasonable demand for this type of finish for exterior veneering, in as much as some architects do not like bright surfaces, honing is mostly used for floors and stairs as the surface gains a rougher finish and is therefore safer for walking.
RUSTIC SURFACES
The most important rustic finishes are obtained by flame texturing and bush hammering, these finishes give a surface a very rough look. While Marbles and Granites can be bush hammered, flame texturing can only be carried out on Granites and some Slates.
BUSH HAMMERING
Bush hammering by hand is carried out by means of Pneumatic tools only on special work pieces having unusual shapes. Most surfaces are bush hammered by automatic equipment, which can confer a fine, medium or rough appearance.
Finishes polishing
This method applies only to Granites that are "true" Granites in a petrographic sense. It should also be considered that some Granites rich in minerals containing Iron in a dispersed molecular state over their crystal lattice are not suited for this heat treatment. The minerals are not disintegrated but are melted by the heat. The result is a flat, smeared surface without the characteristic pocket effect. The surface of the Granite that has been scorched has no specular characteristics and is very rough, a finish which is preferred by some architects for exterior veneering, also offering a non-slip property for step and paving areas.
ANTI SLIP PROCESSES
Sand blasting, acid, anti-slip inserts.
-Regardless of the type of surface that is to be maintained, all stones should be protected with Penetrating Sealer. A sealer is sufficient for honed and polished floors. Sealers should be used on flamed, sand blasted, sawn, and bush hammered surfaces.
