The finish is the way the surface of the stone is treated after cutting. It changes how the stone looks, how it feels under your feet and how it wears over time. Polished, honed and leather are three of the most common finishes for marble.
How finishes are made
Every finish starts with the same cut slab or tile. Machines then grind the surface with abrasive pads or brushes. The finer the last pad, the smoother and shinier the surface becomes.
The stone itself does not change. A finish only changes the top surface. This is why the same marble can look quite different from one sample to the next.
Polished finish
A polished finish is ground with finer and finer pads until the surface shines like glass. It reflects light and makes colours and veins look deep and clear.
What it does well
- Shows the full colour and pattern of the stone.
- Makes rooms look brighter.
- Is easy to wipe clean.
What to watch
- Scratches and etch marks show clearly, especially on dark stone.
- It can be slippery when wet.
- Sand and grit slowly dull the shine on busy floors.
Polish suits living rooms, walls, reception areas and furniture tops that stay dry. It is often the best way to show a dark stone. Emperador Dark looks richer and deeper when polished.
Honed finish
A honed finish stops before the final polishing stage. The surface is smooth and flat, but matt or with a low sheen.
What it does well
- Hides small scratches and etch marks better than polish.
- Gives a little more grip underfoot.
- Gives a soft, calm look.
What to watch
- Colours look lighter and veins look softer than on polished stone.
- The open surface can take in stains more easily, so sealing matters.
Honed stone suits kitchens, bathrooms, corridors and busy family floors. White stones with soft clouding, such as Bianco Ibiza Delux, look gentle and natural when honed. A quiet stone like Milas Pearl can look almost like fabric with a honed surface.
Leather finish
A leather finish, sometimes called brushed, is made with special brushes. They wear away the softer parts of the surface and leave a light texture with a soft sheen. It feels a little like leather when you touch it.
What it does well
- Hides fingerprints, water spots and small marks.
- Gives a natural, textured feel.
- Brings out the pattern in striped and mottled stones.
What to watch
- Dirt can collect in the texture, so cleaning takes a little more effort.
- Not every stone suits this finish, and not every stone is offered in it.
Leather finishes are popular for worktops, vanity tops and feature walls. A striped stone such as Zebra or a mottled one like Gray Fantasy can look very different with texture.
How the finish changes colour
Polish makes stone look darker and more saturated. Honing makes it look lighter and softer. A leather finish sits between the two.
This is why you should always look at a sample in the finish you plan to use. A stone you love polished may look quite different honed.
Choosing by room
- Living room and majlis: polished for shine, or honed for a calm look.
- Entrance and corridors: honed hides wear from sand and shoes.
- Kitchen floor and worktop: honed or leather hide etch marks better.
- Bathroom floor and shower: honed or a textured finish for grip.
- Walls and feature areas: any finish works, because walls do not take foot traffic.
- Outdoors: avoid polish. Choose a textured finish.
A note on Kuwait
Fine sand from outside is the main cause of wear on polished floors in Kuwait. If you choose polish for a busy floor, place mats at every door and dust-mop often. A honed floor will hide this wear for longer.
Can a finish be changed later
In many cases, yes. A stone specialist can re-hone a worn polished floor, or polish a honed one. This is skilled work, so ask for advice before you try anything yourself.
Ask us
Which finishes are available depends on the stone. Visit our showroom to compare finishes in person, or ask for a quote and tell us which finish you want for each room.