Asked on Dec 17, 2012
What type of finish or cut is this? The slab came this way from warehouse already cut from the quarry.
+9
Thank you.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
12 answers
-
What kind of stone are we looking at? There is no special name for the edge of a stone after it is polished which is what I assume were looking at? Its just the type of stone that has a grain to it. Looking at this grain pattern, what is the top like? Porous stones must be properly sealed and maintained to prevent bacteria from collecting in the stone.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Dec 17, 2012
-
thats granite, they just didnt polish all the way to a glossy finish. There are alot of people wanting a matte finish for granite, that looks like that may be what they have here. Granite comes out of the ground with grain to it like what you see in the picture it has to be polished to achieve a smooth glossy finish.
Burco Surface & Decor LLC.
on Dec 17, 2012
-
I don't have granite, but I think I might like the natural finish best too! I have not seen it except in photos, but I think I would prefer this.
Jeanette S
on Dec 18, 2012
-
Yes this is granite and if they put a nice finish on it you are good but most granite has to be resealed. I prefer mine polished as it really cleans up nice but a natural look would be great for a change
Tanya Peterson Felsheim
on Dec 18, 2012
-
Having polished a bit of granite, I can clearly see what you have... you have granite that was polished before it was fully honed or flattened. They basically did not spend much time in the early grinding and polishing stages. When granite is rough cut it has grain a lot like wood. The depressions are softer areas much like the early wood in tree rings. The raised areas are like the more dense late wood. To make it completely flat and shinny, the more dense area needs to be removed even with the lower soft areas...once every thing is "flat" then the actual polishing can commence. Unfortunately this is something that is very messy and expensive to do "after the install". Did you inspect this slab before it was fabricated into you counter?
KMS Woodworks
on Dec 18, 2012
-
I assume that is the cut edge we are looking at. The top is likely ground flatter and smoother (since that surface is more visible and smoothness of the top more critical) than the edge. The best shops will work the edges as carefully as the tops though. btw, that is technically a gneiss (pronounced "nice"), not a granite. It is derived from granitic parent material though. It becomes a gneiss when metamorphosed by heat and pressure into bands of like composition (and color). Gneiss has essentially stripes of light quartz and dark mica minerals. Granites have the quartz, mica and usually feldspar minerals more evenly dispersed and the crystal structure is more distinct. Gneiss will often be erroneously referred to as "banded granite." Banded is a way of saying it has become a gneiss. The banding of harder and softer minerals in distinct striations does make even polishing more of a challenge than with a true granite. I would say you have a "gneiss countertop," Though the edge could be smoother. ;)
Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry
on Dec 18, 2012
-
This granite is actually in my house. I was trying to figure out the "technical" name for the finish on the surface of the granite. People ask all the time what the name of the finish is. Shows no fingerprints! :) Almost has a leather texture. I have also heard it called a "sabila" (?spelling) from a local granite company, but when I google "sabila" granite finish, it yields no results. We had a lady ask once. My husband told her he thought it was a "honed" finish. So she ordered a "honed" finish. When it was delivered, it sure didn't look like ours. She cried.:( I do not want this to happen again. We want to tell people the correct finish.
David-Catina Campbell
on Dec 18, 2012
-
David... I saw my first finish like this a few months back, although we haven't put any in any of our projects yet. You actually answered your own question...it is called a leather finish. Do a web search like "Leather finish granite" and you'll get a number of hits. I just looked this one up and am adding it because it lists a number of finishes I have never heard of..... http://www.percocomarble.com/finishes.php
Hewitt Remodeling Services LLC
on Dec 18, 2012
-
Hewitt Remodeling Service- thank you. That site you recommended is perfect. Now if we can have uniformity of all the granite companies interpretation of the finishes... In a perfect world I guess. :) again. Thank you!
David-Catina Campbell
on Dec 18, 2012
-
It's also referred to as "ubatuba" granite, as well as leather finish. The honed finish (like your friend ordered) is smooth, but not polished and shiny and shouldn't be used for a countertop that gets a lot of use.
Leslie D
on Dec 19, 2012
-
Leslie, I'm not a stone guy, but at least here in our region Uba Tuba refers to a "type" of entry-level granite, as opposed to a particular finish. It comes from South America, is widely popular and there is lots of it available which makes it one of the more inexpensive granites offered. It is marketed under a number of different "shades" and therefore different names. Tim
Hewitt Remodeling Services LLC
on Dec 19, 2012
-
based on Tims link it may also be the "carresed" finish which starts as leather but is then polished a bit more. Yours does look more polished among the high spots.
KMS Woodworks
on Dec 19, 2012
Sign Up to Answer
