What You Need To Know About Honed And Polished Marble

While not all of us are able to live in luxury mansions, there is a way to recreate that sense of grandeur in your humble abode which is by using marble. Marble is a form of natural stones that can be found in many parts around the world. As the wide range of looks and colors of such flooring options can easily overwhelm you, form over function does not always work. Other than considering the aesthetics of marble, you should ask yourself if you prefer the honed or polished finishing. That being said, read on to find out more about these two finishes to gain a better understanding and hopefully help you decide which will be the right choice.

Applications

The honed finishing makes the marble surface less slippery when wet, thus it is widely used in areas that receive higher foot traffic. This includes the floors of living rooms, bathrooms and foyers. Polished marble surfaces do not work as well when used in areas with high foot traffic. The wear and tear of daily activity would be both apparent and prevalent. Homeowners are also recommended not to use polished marble for bathroom floors as it can get slippery when wet and pose as a hazard. Some of the best areas to use polished marble include walls, fireplaces, powder bathrooms and bathroom countertops.

Characteristics

Oftentimes, the coat of polish used on the marble also doubles as a protection and it allows the marble to withstand stains better. As the polished finishing possesses reflective characteristics, it is more susceptible to scratches. Honed finishes on the other hand are much more scratch resistant due to the lack of a glossy surface. Even if the marble is scratched, the damage is less likely to be reflected when a light source hits it. As a result, honed marble does soak up spilled liquids during cooking easily and quickly.

Aesthetics

It is often said that honed marble lacks the shininess and other reflective qualities that most owners may expect. Honed finishes often provide a satin-feel and is velvety and smooth to the touch. Polished marble surfaces offer owners a shinier and glossier look which is ideal to create that wow factor so if you are in it for looks, polished marble will be a better choice.

Maintenance

For starters, polished marble does not need re-sealing. You should also take caution to wipe off any stains promptly to prevent the spilled substances from etching the surface. If you drop toothpaste on the floor, a cleaning method using water, a small brush and some mild bleach solution will suffice. You do not want to brush too roughly or use chemicals that are too strong as they will damage the finishing.

As is with polished marble, liquid spills must be immediately cleaned or wiped off immediately off honed marble floors. You should never use regular soap to clean honed marble because it will penetrate the surface and darken the marble’s color. You should opt for a mild household detergent that contains bleach instead. With regards to spills on honed marble flooring, avoid spilling the following liquids: fruit juices, mustard, salad dressing, butter, coffee, tea, soda, vinegar and alcoholic drinks.

If you want to know more about how to choose between honed and polished marble, feel free to visit us at our showroom and talk to our marble flooring specialists.

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