ACID-WASHED
Shiny with small etching marks (pits in surface) An acid-washed finish shows fewer scratches and is much more rustic in appearance than a honed finish. Most stones can be acid-washed but the most common are marble and limestone. Acid washing is also a way to soften the shine on granite.FLAMED
Rough texture, very abrasive This finish is used mostly for exterior applications as flooring or as facing on commercial buildings, it is labour intensive, and can be costly. The texture is achieved by heating the surface of the stone to extreme temperatures, followed by rapid cooling. Flaming is primarily done to granite.GRINDING (lippage removal)
Is removing high, uneven tile edges (lippage) creating semi to completely flat installations. This eight-to-ten step abrasive process can be done on individual tiles or to entire floors. The degree of grinding can range from selective abrading to put floors in "code" (a "partial grind"), or complete grinding, achieving a flush monolithic surface (a "full grind"). The selected finish luster is produced after lippage removal.GROUT COLOR SEALING (STAINING)
Renewing or changing grout color. After the grout is cleaned a "color sealer" is painted on the grout's surface, presenting a clean, new grout surface while providing the finest protective sealant available.HONING
Removing scratches, etches or worn areas and producing a "consistent satin luster". Modified abrasives and compounds are used to achieve unique satin finishes. Manufacturing and transport abrasions, fill residue or construction and household wear can be removed and an "up-graded", refined honed finish produced.POLISHING
Producing a "high gloss luster" on the stone. Old, worn out floors can be restored. New factory finishes can be improved. Honed (satin finish) stones can be transformed to give the floor a new distinctive look. The high gloss finish is part of the stone surface and is not the sealer. Traffic or worn areas can be re-polished at needed intervals to maintain an indefinite high gloss finish.SAW-CUT REFINED Matt finish
After initial cutting, the stone is processed to remove the heaviest saw marks but not enough to achieve a “honed” finish. Granite, marble, and limestone can be purchased this way, typically on a special order basis.BRUSHED
A worn-down look achieved by brushing the surface of the stone, simulating natural wear over time.SPLIT-FACED
Rough texture, not as abrasive as flamed. This finish is typically achieved by hand cutting and chiseling at the quarry, exposing the natural cleft of the stone. This finish is primarily done on slate.TUMBLED
Smooth or slightly pitted surface, broken rounded edges and corners. There are several methods used to achieve the tumbled look. 20mm thick tiles can be tumbled in a machine, or 3cm tiles can be tumbled and then split, creating two tiles that are tumbled on one side. Marble and limestone are the primary candidates for a tumbled finish.