Fabrication & Finishing
Honed Finish
A honed finish is a matte or satin surface produced by stopping the grinding process before the stone reaches full reflectivity, typically between 400 and 800 grit. It offers a softer aesthetic than polished stone and partially conceals scratches and etching, making it preferred for high-traffic flooring and commercial interiors. Honed marble requires sealing as the open surface absorbs stains more readily.
Polishing takes the stone through ever finer abrasives until the face reflects light; honing stops before that point. Colors look lighter and softer, veins quieter, and the surface feels smooth but not glassy. It shows fewer scratches and is less slippery than a polished face, which is why it is chosen for floors, bathrooms and busy kitchens.
A honed face is more open than a polished one, so it takes stains more easily and usually needs a sealer, above all on marble and limestone. Acids from lemon or wine still etch marble, but the marks show less on a matte face.
In Noria Strata
In Noria Strata the finish is part of every slab, next to its size, thickness and photo, so the customer gets the honed slab they picked.