Natural stone surfaces are admired for their beauty, durability, and timeless appeal. But not all stones are created equal when it comes to maintenance. Some require honing, others benefit from polishing, and nearly all will perform better with sealing. Silver State Floor Restoration will cover the most common types of natural stone and explain which stones need honing, polishing, and sealing so you can better care for your floors, countertops, and walls.
What’s the Difference Between Honing, Polishing & Sealing
Before going into the types of stone, let’s quickly define the three main processes:
• Honing: A process that smooths the surface to a matte or satin finish, removing scratches and minor damage.
• Polishing: A process that buffs the stone to a glossy, reflective finish.
• Sealing: Applying a protective layer to prevent staining and moisture absorption.
Natural Stone that Need Honing
Honing is best for natural stones that tend to scratch, etch, or dull easily, especially in high-traffic or moisture-prone areas.
Marble: Marble is soft and prone to scratching and etching from acidic substances. Honing removes surface imperfections and gives it a more forgiving matte finish.
Limestone: It’s a very porous and soft stone that benefits from a honed finish to mask wear and reduces the appearance of etching.
Travertine: Travertine often comes naturally honed. It has small pits that can collect debris, so honing helps smooth and refine the surface.
Soapstone: Soapstone is naturally soft and non-reflective. Honing enhances its natural look while offering a practical, low-maintenance surface.
Natural Stone that Need Polishing
Polishing is ideal for stones that naturally have vibrant colors and veining, and when you want a glossy, high-end appearance.
Marble: When used in more formal areas, polishing brings out the elegant veining and color variations.
Granite: Granite’s dense, crystalline structure takes on a brilliant shine when polished, enhancing its rich color and reflective qualities.
Onyx: This delicate, translucent stone looks stunning when polished, but it’s best for low-traffic decorative applications.
Quartzite: When polished, quartzite becomes a strong, shimmering surface that’s highly resistant to wear.
Natural Stone that Need Sealing
Most natural stones are porous to some degree, meaning they can absorb liquids and stain without proper protection. Sealing adds a protective layer to repel water, oil, and dirt.
Marble: Very porous and stain-prone requires sealing regularly.
Granite: Less porous than marble but still benefits from sealing, especially lighter colors.
Limestone: Highly absorbent must be sealed to prevent damage and staining.
Travertine: Naturally full of pores requires sealing to protect from moisture, especially outdoors or in bathrooms.
Slate: Sealing helps enhance its color and protect against moisture and flaking.
Sandstone: Very porous and fragile sealing is essential to prevent erosion and staining.
Natural Stone & Tile & Grout Cleaning, Sealing, Polishing & More in Aliante, Centennial, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Enterprise, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Lone Mountain Village, North LV, Peccole Ranch, Paradise, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, Tuscany Village, Whitney, Winchester & Las Vegas Nevada
Every type of natural stone has its own personality and its own care requirements. Whether you are going for a sleek polished look, a rustic honed finish, or simply want to protect your surfaces with sealing, understanding your stone’s needs is the key to keeping it beautiful and long-lasting. If you need help determining what your stone needs, contact Silver State Floor Restoration today.
