Honed vs Polished Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock that is increasingly being used all over the country by home owners as the material for flooring in bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms besides also using marble in the form of kitchen countertop. The most famous and iconic structure that is completely made of white marble in the world is the Tajmahal in Agra, visited by millions of tourists every year.
Suppliers provide sheets of marble to the shops after treating them. These sheets are either honed or polished. This article attempts to make clear the differences between honed and polished marble to make it easier to choose either of the two types in homes.
Honed Marble
Honed marble is the marble that goes through a process of finishing that gives it a matte look. The rock that is mined out is made to undergo grinding and then it is sanded before it is cut into large pieces, to be sent to the shops where it is sold to homeowners and builders for the purpose of flooring. Honed marble has a smooth outer surface, but it does not shine like the polished marble. The surface of honed marble does not have a luster, and it is quite porous which means one has to use a sealant frequently to maintain its finish. However, honed marble shows up fewer scratches and also needs less maintenance.
Polished Marble
Polished surface of marble is a result of all the buffing that is performed after grinding and sanding of the surface of the marble after it is mined out. It is this buffing that gives polished marble its characteristic sheen and luster. This high gloss can be kept with proper maintenance for a long time. This finish is a result of progressively finer heads that are used for polishing the surface of marble. The shine of a polished marble is such that it is almost like a mirror. This finish seals most of the pores of the marble making it free of moisture, and it also does not weather easily.
What is the difference between Honed and Polished Marble?
• The basic difference between honed and polished surface finish of marble is because of all the buffing that is done after the surface of the stone has gone through grinding and sanding.
• If buffing is not done, the surface has a honed finish whereas buffing with progressively finer heads gives marble the polished surface.
• Honed marble is more porous than polished marble and thus requires more frequent sealing
• Polished marble has a mirror like finish and is the smoothest finish of marble
• Honed surface has a softer look
• Polished marble gets its pores sealed which is why it is able to repeal moisture.
• Polishing makes the surface feel cooler. This is the reason why builders prefer this finish in hot climates
• Honed marble is better for kitchen countertops as it does not stain easily