10 Types of Natural Stone Finishes

Choosing the right finish for natural stone can be overwhelming, especially with many options.  A wrong decision can result in a surface that doesn’t suit your style, requires too much maintenance, or wears out quickly. 

The impact of this choice extends beyond aesthetics—it affects the durability and functionality of your stone.  This guide will simplify the process by breaking down the 10 most popular natural stone finishes, helping you select the perfect one for your project.

1. Polished Finish

A polished finish creates a sleek, glossy surface that beautifully reflects light. Crafted through grinding and buffing, this finish enhances the stone’s natural colour and pattern. 

Have you ever wondered why marble floors look so luxurious? It’s often because of the polished finish that gives them a mirror-like sheen. With its smooth texture, this type of finish is ideal for areas where an elegant and sophisticated appearance is desired, such as countertops and walls. 

On the downside, polished stone can be slippery when wet, making it less suitable for outdoor applications or high-traffic areas like bathrooms. It also tends to show scratches more easily. However, regular maintenance and sealing can help preserve its lustrous appearance over time. 

A polished finish might be your best bet if you’re looking for a timeless, high-end look. Why not elevate your space with the stunning reflective quality only polished stone can provide?

2. Honed Finish

A honed finish delivers a smooth, matte surface, offering a more muted and understated appearance than the glossy sheen of polished stone. By grinding the stone to create a flat, non-reflective surface, this finish brings out the stone’s natural beauty without the shine. 

The result is a soft, velvety texture, making it particularly appealing for modern and traditional interior designs. Have you ever noticed how honed finishes are favoured in high-traffic areas? Their matte quality provides better slip resistance, making them ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and hallway flooring.

Additionally, honed finishes are excellent for concealing scratches, dents, and general wear, offering a more durable option for busy spaces. While this finish may not have the glossy appeal of polished stone, it showcases the natural veining and patterns of the material in a more subdued and sophisticated way. 

Honed stone is also suitable for outdoor use, as it doesn’t become as slippery when exposed to moisture. However, due to its porous nature, it may require regular sealing to prevent staining.

3. Brushed Finish

A brushed finish offers a textured, weathered appearance that enhances the natural beauty of stone while giving it a rustic charm. Using wire brushes to wear down the stone’s surface gently, this finish results in a rough yet soft texture that feels aged and lived-in. 

Why is a brushed finish popular in outdoor and high-traffic areas? Its slip-resistant texture makes it ideal for patios, walkways, and even pool surrounds, where safety is essential.

Visually, the brushed finish brings out the stone’s natural colours and patterns with a soft, muted effect. Unlike polished or honed finishes, the surface retains a slightly rough quality, giving it a tactile appeal that works beautifully in more casual settings. 

The process also subtly highlights the stone’s unique veining, adding character without overwhelming the overall design. Though it has a rugged appearance, the finish is durable and relatively easy to maintain. 

Occasional sealing can help preserve its look and protect the surface from stains. The brushed finish is versatile and stylish for homeowners seeking a finish that balances natural beauty with practical durability.

4. Tumbled Finish

A tumbled finish creates a soft, aged appearance, offering a timeless aesthetic that evokes the look of weathered stone. Achieved by placing the stone in a tumbler with abrasives, this process gently rounds the edges and softens the surface, giving it a worn and rustic feel. 

Have you ever wondered how to add instant character to a space? The tumbled finish brings a natural, vintage look that suits traditional and contemporary designs.

The slightly uneven texture provides slip resistance, making it an excellent choice for flooring in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas like patios and courtyards. 

Unlike polished finishes, tumbled stone doesn’t reflect light, allowing its natural tones and patterns to stand out more subtly. The muted, earthy colours add warmth to any space, making this finish a favourite for those seeking a cosy, lived-in look.

Though it has an old-world appeal, a tumbled finish is remarkably durable. It can withstand wear and tear while requiring minimal maintenance. Occasional sealing can further protect the surface, ensuring it remains beautiful for years. Tumbled stone is an ideal choice if you’re after a finish that offers both character and practicality.

5. Sandblasted Finish

A sandblasted finish offers a distinctive rough texture created by blasting the stone’s surface with high-pressure sand. This process results in a matte, slightly coarse surface, ideal for creating a non-slip environment. 

Why is a sandblasted finish often chosen for outdoor spaces? Its excellent traction makes it perfect for areas like pool decks, walkways, and garden paths, where safety is a priority.

The finish also softens the stone’s natural colour, giving it a more muted, weathered look. Unlike polished finishes, which highlight the stone’s vibrancy, sandblasted surfaces provide a more natural and understated appearance. 

With its textured feel, this finish adds a tactile element to the stone and enhances durability, making it resilient to the elements and daily wear.

A sandblasted finish is an excellent choice for those looking to combine aesthetic appeal with practicality, especially for areas exposed to moisture or high foot traffic. 

Occasional sealing can help maintain the surface’s appearance and prevent staining, ensuring its rugged beauty lasts for years. If you’re after a finish that provides both style and function, the sandblasted option is a versatile and long-lasting solution.

6. Flamed Finish

A flamed finish is created by exposing the stone to intense heat, followed by rapid cooling. This process causes the surface to burst and crack, leaving a rough, textured appearance behind. 

Why is this finish favoured for outdoor applications? It offers excellent slip resistance, making it ideal for areas like patios, driveways, and pool surrounds, where safety is crucial.

The high-temperature process also gives the stone a natural, weathered look, often enhancing its earthy tones. Flamed finishes add a bold, rugged aesthetic that creates a rustic or industrial feel in residential and commercial spaces. Despite its rough texture, the surface remains durable and withstand heavy foot traffic and exposure to the elements.

Flamed stone typically works best with granite and other hard materials, as softer stones might not withstand the extreme heat involved in the process. Occasional sealing may be necessary to protect the surface from stains and preserve its rich, natural colours. 

The flamed finish is a standout option for exterior designs that aim to blend natural beauty with functional durability.

7. Leathered Finish

A leathered finish offers a soft, textured surface that balances polished and honed finishes. This finish is achieved by running diamond-tipped brushes over the stone, resulting in a slightly rough, matte surface with a unique, tactile feel. 

Have you ever wondered why this finish has gained popularity in modern interiors? It provides a sophisticated look while also being easy to maintain. The texture of a leathered finish adds depth and character to the stone, bringing out its natural grain and colour without the high shine of a polished surface. 

One of the key advantages of a leathered finish is its resistance to fingerprints and watermarks, making it an excellent choice for countertops and high-traffic areas. It also feels warm and inviting, perfect for creating a cosy yet elegant atmosphere in living spaces.

Leathered finishes are most commonly applied to granite, although other stones like marble and quartzite can also be treated this way. The finish is durable and easy to clean, requiring minimal upkeep to preserve its beauty. If you’re seeking a blend of texture, style, and practicality, a leathered finish is perfect for aesthetic and functional appeal.

8. Bush Hammered Finish

A bush-hammered finish creates a rugged, heavily textured surface that stands out for its bold and natural appearance. Achieved by repeatedly striking the stone with a specialised hammer with multiple points, this finish leaves behind a pitted, rough texture that resembles the weathered look of stone. 

Have you ever considered why a bush-hammered finish is often chosen for outdoor spaces? The bumpy texture provides excellent slip resistance, making it ideal for driveways, patios, and pool surrounds.

This finish dramatically enhances the stone’s natural strength and durability, allowing it to withstand heavy traffic and extreme weather conditions. With its coarse appearance, the bush-hammered finish is perfect for creating a rustic or industrial aesthetic. 

The process also subtly lightens the stone’s colour, giving it a unique, weathered charm that works beautifully in residential and commercial spaces. Although it may appear rough, bush-hammered stone is incredibly sturdy and low-maintenance. Occasional cleaning and sealing can help preserve its natural beauty. 

The bush-hammered option offers striking aesthetics and functional benefits for those seeking a finish combining rugged texture and practicality.

9. Sawn Finish

A sawn finish gives the natural stone a raw, unpolished appearance, highlighting its authentic beauty. Created by cutting the stone with a diamond-tipped saw, this finish leaves behind a flat, slightly rough surface with visible saw marks. Why is the sawn finish popular in modern architecture? Its clean, minimalist look makes it ideal for contemporary designs where simplicity is key.

The texture of a sawn finish provides a subtle grip, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor applications, particularly in spaces like pathways, patios, or feature walls. The finish emphasises the stone’s natural colours and patterns without the added shine or smoothness of polished finishes, allowing for a more organic feel in design projects.

While the surface may seem unfinished, it is highly durable and can withstand heavy use, especially in high-traffic areas. Occasionally, sealing the stone can help protect it from moisture and staining, prolonging its longevity. For those seeking a natural yet refined look, a sawn finish balances raw beauty and functional durability, making it an excellent choice for residential and commercial spaces.

10. Split Face Finish

A split-face finish provides a rugged, uneven surface that reveals the stone’s raw, natural appeal. Created by manually or mechanically splitting the stone, this finish produces a rough texture that adds depth and dimension to any space.

Why is the split-face finish so popular in feature walls and facades? Its dramatic, textured look creates a bold, eye-catching effect, perfect for adding architectural interest.

Unlike smooth finishes, the split face option highlights the stone’s natural layers and colour variations, making it an ideal choice for projects seeking an organic, earthy aesthetic. This finish is well-suited for indoor and outdoor applications, adding character and texture while maintaining a rustic charm.

Its uneven surface provides a striking contrast when paired with smoother materials like glass or metal, offering a unique design element. While the rough texture is visually appealing, it’s important to note that the surface can be more challenging to clean.

If you want to enhance a space with texture and natural beauty, the split face finish offers a dynamic solution that leaves a lasting impression.

Choosing the Right Finish for Your Project

Selecting the ideal natural stone finish is crucial for the success of your project. Factors to consider include location, usage, and aesthetics.

• Location: Determine whether the stone will be used indoors or outdoors. Outdoor stones require finishes that can withstand weather conditions, such as a flamed or textured finish for better grip. Indoor stones can benefit from polished or honed finishes for a sleek look.
• Usage: Consider the space’s function. High-traffic areas like floors or pathways need durable, slip-resistant finishes like bush-hammered or sandblasted. Smoother finishes, polished or honed, are suitable for decorative walls or low-traffic areas.
• Aesthetics: Think about the overall design and style you wish to achieve. Polished finishes offer a luxurious and reflective look, while textured finishes provide a rustic and natural appearance. Match the finish with your design vision to enhance the space’s visual appeal.
• Expert Tips: Consult with a professional to understand the maintenance requirements of different finishes. Some finishes may require more upkeep than others. Additionally, request samples to see how the finish looks in your specific environment and lighting conditions.

Conclusion

Natural stone finishes are crucial in enhancing your spaces’ aesthetics and functionality. Consult professionals for tailored advice on selecting the perfect finish for your project. Contact us for expert guidance and personalised solutions.