Category: Honing

Marble Honing Service (Matte/Eggshell Finish)

What is the Honing Process for Marble?

Honing is a process that involves grinding the marble with abrasives to create a smooth, flat, and non-reflective surface. It removes the top layer of the stone, eliminating minor scratches and surface imperfections. The degree of honing can vary, producing either a rough or a highly refined, smooth finish, depending on the grit used.

What are the advantages of honing?

The honed finish makes your marble less prone to show watermarks and etches, and also be worn and scratched than a shiny finish, which means an appearance lasting. Shine finish will require so much more maintenance and effort to keep the surface evenly shining and it’s often better to choose the honed finish.

At the same time, the honed finish is more prone to get dirt and stains as the surface is “rough”, compared to the shiny finish when the surface is smooth and any contaminants can be easier wiped off from a slippery surface.

How Does Honed Marble Compare to Polished Marble?

Honed marble has a matte finish that is smooth but not reflective, making it less prone to showing scratches and etch marks compared to polished marble. Polished marble, on the other hand, has a glossy, mirror-like finish that enhances the stone’s color and veining but is more susceptible to visible scratches and etching. Polished marble is also less absorbent, often not requiring sealing, unlike honed marble, which can be more porous.

What are the Best Practices for Maintaining Honed Marble Countertops?

To maintain honed marble countertops:

Regularly clean with a pH-neutral cleaner to avoid damaging the surface.
Promptly wipe up spills, especially acidic substances like lemon juice, vinegar, and wine.
Use coasters and placemats to prevent direct contact with the surface.
Periodically reseal the marble to protect against stains and etching.
Avoid abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pads that could scratch the surface.

What are Suitable Uses for Honed Marble in Home Design?

Honed marble is well-suited for areas where a matte, non-reflective finish is desired. Ideal applications include:

Bathroom vanities and shower walls, where its slip-resistant nature is beneficial.
Fireplace surrounds, providing a sophisticated, understated look.
Flooring in low-traffic areas where etching and staining are less of a concern.
Accent walls or backsplashes that do not come into frequent contact with acidic substances.

What are the Aesthetic Differences Between Honed and Polished Marble?

Honed marble offers a softer, more subdued look that complements rustic, traditional, or contemporary designs. Its matte finish can make a space feel more relaxed and understated. In contrast, polished marble provides a luxurious, high-gloss appearance that can make a space feel more formal and elegant. The choice between honed and polished finishes can greatly influence the overall ambiance and style of a room.

How scratches, watermarks, and etches on a marble surface can be restored to a shiny finish?

If the shined surface of your marble has scratches, watermarks, and etches and it’s worn a bit, to restore it back to shine firstly it should be honed, then polished, and finally buffed to shine finish. The full restoration of slightly-used marble should begin with honing procedure, to remove small scratches and water etches.

What alternative finishes are available?

We can offer a honed finish as well (without following polishing), also known as the matte finish, so regardless of damages we can turn any surface into the honed finish. Unlike a polishing or buffing procedure, we can use honing powder or diamond pads which leave your marble with a smooth matte appearance.