Polished or honed finish? which one should you choose and why?
Polished and Honed both of them are two of the finest and most popular finishes to choose from, they having a mix of attributes and special advantages that attract extensive client bases.
With the proper knowledge of what said differences are regarding finishes, you can find that this is really helpful, and it will end up costing a lot for you to make the most informed choice that best represents you and your own interests and goals and wishes when it comes to interior design looks.
1. Appearance
Honed Finish
A finish that gives a matte, non-reflection look which leads to the stone obtaining a soft, muted, and unobtrusive appearance. Compared to polished stone with a reflecting shiny surface, honed finish will typically be lighter in color, a factor which can be employed to create a general more organic and natural environment which is so appealing and inviting to so many.
Polished Finish
Polished finish, unlike its more naturalized variations, has a very shiny and highly polished appearance that enhances the natural colors both inside the stone as well as inside its highly detailed and dramatic veining patterns. This kind of transparent finish not only achieves a total luxurious appearance but also adds a sophisticated quality, which lends it best in luxury design uses and high-end areas where sophistication rules.
2. Texture
Honed finish is stunningly smooth in texture but still retains the softness of velvet that gives it the unbeatable comfort and the bliss to walk upon.
Compared to its smoother variant, we can realize how by comparison it is substantially less slippery, a quality which makes it far safer to install for use by the general public or where there would be contact with humidity and dampness.
Polished finish, as compared to other finishes, is extremely smooth to the touch and provides it with a classy look. This shiny glow, though aesthetically pleasing and beautiful to the eye, can be quite high in risk for slipperiness if the surface comes into contact with water or any kind of moisture. This reflective luster, although adding to the overall beauty value and brilliance of the stone, may be less than optimal for high-use areas or high-moisture areas that tend toward natural dampness and moisture retention in the long term.
3. Durability and Maintenance
Honed stone:
The strongest feature of honed is that it has a matte finish, not only enhancing its beauty but also making it incredibly scratch-resistant and rendering it a highly functional choice for a large number of applications.
With that being stated, however, attention must be given to the reality that this form of marble will be softer compared to the polished ones, therefore, they will stain in case of spills. Because of such inherent vulnerability, regular sealing processes are extremely recommended since this is the way protection from any spilling that may occur under regular use is ensured.
Furthermore, when in certain cases minor scratches do occur on the surface, they are less noticeable and more appealing on a honed surface than if they occurred on a polished surface, adding to the material’s overall lifespan and overall aesthetic.
Polished stone:
Polished finish has a very reflective and dense finish that will be more resistant to stains because of the lengthy and time-consuming process it is subjected to being polished; however, this kind of finish will be more noticeable in terms of scratches and imperfections because of its reflective and glossy nature. Just like honed marble, finished surfaces of this material as well require regular maintenance and frequent sealing to preserve their appearance and hardness in the long term.
4. Different Applications
Honed Stones:
This finish is best utilized to be used in areas that fall under heavy human movement, i.e., entrance halls, kitchens, and bathrooms. That is because it has a unique slip-resistant characteristic, hence making such areas much safer for humans to walk on.
Honed finish also becomes an extremely suitable option for houses in residential estates and business centers because of its long-term durability and tremendous strength, enabling it to endure everyday usage stress.
Polished stones:
It is a stunning material that is used in large amounts for all forms of various applications, such as but not limited to countertops, fireplace facings, and several other adornishing details that are seen in high-end environments. The very shiny marble has a visual presence that is nothing short of impossible to miss; it also has an elegance and grace that few materials can compete with. Its sole sheer beauty makes it one of the most coveted options for those particular rooms where beauty and aesthetics take center stage and even precedence over function in worth.
5. Aesthetically suited design
Honed Natural Stones
Aesthetically toned-down natural stone by honing achieves muted sophistication that personifies the very height of aesthetic sense in elegance and beauty. This is in the form of a flawless, elegant touch in a near gigantic variety of architectural and design forms. It is more specifically a heightening of those specific designs with a particular emphasis on the use of natural material to serve natural themes of ornamentality within overall visual presentation.
The sleek but elegant appearance of cultured marble elegantly complements diversified well-planned rooms with Mediterranean themes, or in rooms inspired by the calm and peaceful quality of seascapes.
Polished Natural Stones:
The extremely highly polished look that stone has serves to be very effective in being a major contributor to what creates rich patterns, thereby making it a better option for any room type that wants to have an air of luxury and refinement.
This specific finish is also highly compatible with high-end fixtures and also high-end lighting fixtures, all of which contribute to a general sense of sophistication and elegance. It’s most commonly used in modern and classic settings, where an upscale, luxurious look is desperately required and desired.
Conclusion
In the end, a choice between polished and honed finish really does boil down to your particular needs and your own personal taste. Honed stone’s softer, more natural appearance and feel and its some practical benefits make it more than sufficient for application in spaces that get utilized an awful lot.
Polished stone, on the other hand, provides a luxurious and elegant finish that really enhances and accentuates the natural elegance of the stone itself. Both are equally effective in their respective ways, thereby being versatile to many different uses in interior design.