Honing is a process that produces a surface with a uniformly smooth texture. The maximum height of irregularities is typically 0.5 mm. This method involves systematically treating the surface using abrasives and specialized machinery, starting with coarse abrasives and progressing to finer ones.
A honed surface exhibits excellent anti-slip qualities, making it particularly suitable for applications such as outdoor staircases and wet room floors.
Honed stone, once polished, presents a flat, matte surface devoid of its original glossy appearance. This type of stone readily absorbs liquids, rendering it porous in nature. Its appearance is natural and light, offering a softer luminescence when viewed directly. The honing process involves grinding the stone down to eliminate its shine and reflective characteristics.
Levels of Honing: Matte and Satin
Matte honed stone possesses minimal reflective properties. When viewed directly overhead, there may be a faint glow from a light source reflecting off the surface. In contrast, satin-honed stone displays more reflection, potentially revealing the outline of a light source on its surface.
Matte stones can be honed within the range of 120 to 800 grit, depending on the desired finish. They are generally easier to maintain than polished surfaces.
Common Applications for Honed Stone
Honed stone is particularly well-suited for high-traffic areas, as well as both exterior and interior surfaces.
Top uses include:
Floors
Foyers
Hallways
Stairs
Facades
Interiors
However, one drawback of honed stone is its increased surface area and, consequently, greater exposure of pores. This can make the material more susceptible to staining from contaminants. Therefore, honed materials are typically recommended to be sealed or impregnated to enhance resistance against staining and penetration by contaminants.
