Glossary - Finishes

Calibrated

Tiles or paving that have been machine cut to the same thickness within a tolerance of +/- 3mm.

Gauged

Similar process to calibration but achieved through grinding to achieve a constant thickness of product.

Polished

The top surface of the piece of stone is ground down using an abrasive paste to remove the texture to produce a smooth surface.  The amount of polishing achieved is determined by the “grit” of the paste used.

Cleaved

A finish achieved by splitting across natural layers in the stone to give a textured surface, which slightly uneven, providing greater slip resistance. AKA Riven.

Riven

A finish achieved by splitting across natural layers in the stone to give a textured surface, which slightly uneven, providing greater slip resistance. AKA Cleaved.

Honed

A stone that has a smooth machined, non-polished, matt finish.

Fine Rubbed

See Honed.

Split

Hewn along natural plane of lamination. See Riven.

Dressed

The finishing process applied to a block of stone.  Most often the process of finishing each edge.

Tumbled

The process of ageing stone that leaves the stone with a softly, rounded edge and textured surface to achieve a worn and antique like appearance.

Flame Textured

Natural stone has an intense heat applied to the surface, which results in the stone having a lightly distressed and slightly rough appearance. The finish also creates a non-slip surface.

Sawn

The sawing process enables stone to be produced with consistent dimensions.  The sawn surface presents with visible saw marks – often used for walling applications.

Pillared

Most commonly applied to slate the process of splitting the slate against its natural plane of weakness serving to expose the natural lamination.

Tooled

Mechanically applied surface texture.