Two slabs cut from the same block of granite can look like two different stones once they are finished. The finish changes the colour, the shine, the grip and even how easy the stone is to clean. This guide explains the finishes buyers ask us about most, so you can choose the right one before you order.
Why The Finish Matters
Granite is a hard stone made mostly of quartz and feldspar. Because it is so hard, it can take many different surface treatments without losing strength. Each treatment suits a different place, and the wrong one can make a floor slippery or a kitchen top hard to keep clean.
Polished Finish
A polished finish is ground and buffed until the surface shines like glass. It brings out the full depth of the colour, which is why black granites such as Black Galaxy and Absolute Black are most often ordered polished.
Best for: kitchen tops, vanity tops, wall cladding and indoor floors in dry areas.
Keep in mind: a polished floor can be slippery when wet, so we do not suggest it for outdoor steps or pool areas.
Honed Finish
Honing stops before the polishing stage. The surface is flat and smooth, with a matt look and little or no shine. Colours look slightly lighter than in a polished slab.
Best for: floors in homes and offices, and places where you want a quiet, modern look.
Leather Finish
A leather finish is made with brushes that leave a soft, textured surface with a low sheen. It feels a little like leather under the hand and hides fingerprints and water marks better than a polished slab.
Best for: kitchen tops, table tops and feature walls.
Flamed Finish
A flamed finish is made by passing a very hot flame over the surface. Some crystals on the top break away and leave a rough, grippy texture. The colour becomes lighter and less sharp.
Best for: outdoor paving, steps, pool surrounds and public areas where grip is important.
Other Textured Finishes
- Sandblasted: a fine, even texture made with sand under pressure. Used outdoors and on walls.
- Bush hammered: a rough, dotted texture made with a hammer tool. Used for heavy outdoor areas and steps.
Quick Guide By Location
| Location | Suggested Finish |
|---|---|
| Kitchen top | Polished or leather |
| Indoor floor | Polished or honed |
| Bathroom floor | Honed or leather |
| Outdoor paving and steps | Flamed, sandblasted or bush hammered |
| Wall cladding | Any finish, chosen for looks |
Ask For The Finish You Need
We carry 41 granite colours, from blacks and whites to reds, browns and greens. You can see them all in our granite range.
When you ask for a price, tell us the colour, the size, the thickness and the finish. Send it on WhatsApp through the form on our homepage, and ask for photos of the current lot in the finish you chose.
Granite Finish Questions
Does The Finish Change The Price?
Yes, a little. Polished, honed and flamed finishes are common and widely available. Leather, sandblasted and bush hammered finishes take extra work, so they can cost more and may take longer to produce.
Can A Finish Be Changed Later?
A polished floor can be honed later, and a honed floor can be polished again, but it takes skilled work on site. It is easier and cheaper to order the right finish at the start.
Which Finish Is Easiest To Clean?
Polished granite is the easiest to wipe clean, because the surface is closed and smooth. Textured finishes such as flamed and bush hammered hold more dirt in the surface, so they need brushing as well as washing.
Which Finish Hides Scratches Best?
Leather and honed finishes hide light scratches better than polished granite, because there is no mirror shine to show small marks. On busy kitchen tops and dining tables, this is often the deciding point for our buyers.