Factory-finished Granite
At Slabworks of Montana, we’re known for having the largest on-site slab inventory in southwestern Montana. So, how can we one-up ourselves? By being the first stone fabricator in Montana to invest in a bed polisher that is capable of producing antique, leathered, brushed and honed finishes. We can customize the surfaces of nearly all the slabs we have in stock, which means you have thousands of choices, not hundreds.
Our new equipment allows us to take “factory-finished’ slabs of granite, marble, slate, and limestone and upgrade the surface texture at our fabrication facility. Our equipment can also be used to impart multiple finishes.
Here is a list of the finishes that we can add to different materials in our inventory. Of course, all finishes are not appropriate for all materials.
Leathered Granite
Leathered:
This finish adds texture to the surface of Ubatuba Granite. It closes the pores, and retains the color better than honing. While a leathered finish has a sheen to it, it is no where near as reflective as a polished surface. A good analogy would be that a leathered finish is like a matte finish on a photograph whereas a polished surface is like a glossy photograph. Please note: the amount of texture will vary from stone to stone and some stones will not leather (especially extremely uniform materials).
Leathering is preferred over honing for blacks and other very dark materials. For example the amount of texture on Absolute Black is minimal and very fine grained, and the finish is much more uniform than honing Absolute Black. Leathering starts with a honed surface and adds texture, and is a completely different process than river washed (see below).
Caressed Granite
Caressed:
This finish adds gloss to the leathered finish above. Starting with a leathered finish and then “polishing” the high spots. This closes more pores more than the leathered finish, but not as much as a polished finish. There is also more “dimension” to the slab because of the differences in depth.
Honed Limestone
Honed:
This is the standard factory finish for schists and most limestones (most of which will NOT take a polish). Honing a polished material opens up the pores making it more susceptible to staining. At home re-finishing is possible, and the end result will vary from stone to stone (see re-finishing in our care and cleaning section). Honing will “grey out” or fade the color of the stone, this is more noticeable on darker materials than on lighter materials. A color enhancing sealer is available and may be used to restore the color. Also note that very dark materials tend to end up with an un-even finish and a honed finish is not recommended.
Antiqued Granite – houzz
Antiqued:
This is actually a style of finishes rather than a particular finish. Leathered, River Washed, and Tumbled finishes are all examples of an Antiqued finish. A leathered finish is sometimes called an antiqued finish.
Stop by our showroom today to see our stone finishes in person.
