Edge Finishes
Various edge finishes include chipped, pillowed, bull-nosed, beveled, chamfered, and others.
Why are some finishes preferred for a particular application?
There are three important reasons for choosing one finish over another in certain applications:

Safety

When choosing flooring, it's important to choose a slip-resistant surface for outdoor applications where the floor may become wet. Highly polished surfaces should only be used for interior floors. Also, highly clefted, uneven surfaces may cause a tripping hazard when used for flooring.

Maintenance

Softer, less dense stones such as marble or limestone are unsuitable for high traffic areas because they will quickly become dull and will need frequent restoration to maintain their finish.

Usability

The application should be consistent with the type of finish selected. A rough finish such as flamed would be a poor choice for countertops, due to the difficulty in cleaning it. Clefted material should not be used for tabletops, because it would present an uneven surface

Is a polished floor recommended for a commercial application?

Polished flooring may be used in a commercial application if the floor is unlikely to become wet and slippery. It is advisable to have the floor material professionally tested prior to installation. Sealers are available that can improve the slip resistance of the surface without removing its gloss.

Why is a honed finish so popular for homes?

A honed finish creates a soft, matte, appearance that is more suited to casual, comfortable environments than a formal, polished surface.

Why are travertines filled or unfilled?

Travertine is characterized by the presence of many tiny holes, caused by trapped gas bubbles during its formation. This creates a porous, uneven surface, which is referred to as Unfilled Travertine. When these cavities are filled with cement or another material, the result is called Filled Travertine and may be honed and polished to provide a uniform surface similar to marble.

Is cleft finished slate a tripping hazard?

Slate with a heavily cleft finish may create a tripping hazard. Most slates are lightly clefted and suitable for flooring in kitchens, bathrooms and on patios. A pallet of slate may contain a few pieces with heavy clefting, but these are generally not used for the flooring installation.

Why can some finishes not be used outside?

Polished stone surfaces may become slippery when wet, and tend to lose their shine in a short time due to weathering.

What is thermal or flame finish?

The thermal, or flamed finish is achieved by subjecting the stone to the high-temperature flame of a torch. This burns off most of the carbon content, creating textured quartzites with gentle coloration. Only granite is tough enough to withstand this treatment, and the piece must be fairly thick or it may crack or break under heat and pressure. This is a popular finish for commercial wall and flooring applications.

What is stone tumbling?

Tumbling stones in a solution of sand, water and mild acid creates an old world, weathered look. Typically sizes of 5/8" X 5/8" to 6"X 6" and sometimes even 8"X 8" are true tumbled pieces. Larger sizes are given a "Tumbled" finish, manually. Very small pieces like 5/8" X 5/8" & 1" X 1" are usually, mounted on 12" X 12" meshes for ease of installation. Most commonly used size is 4" X 4" and it is used in straight & diamond patterns, or as accent pieces. When mixing different size tumbled pieces, the look may vary.

Is the sizing always exact in tumbled material?

Tumbled stone pieces are intended to produce a rustic, old-world look. Therefore, they are not crea