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GRANITE SURFACE FINISHES

How do you choose flamed, bush-hammered, polished or honed granite?

Direct answer: Outdoor walkways, plazas and kerbs commonly compare flamed or bush-hammered finishes. Interior floors, walls and decorative components may compare honed or polished finishes. Leathered and water-jet finishes serve tactile or custom design needs. Final selection must consider location, slip requirements, gloss, maintenance and a physical approval sample.

Updated 1 September 2026 · Prepared from the current fabrication scope of Shandong Kaizhong Stone Co., Ltd.

Common granite finishes compared

FinishAppearanceCommon applicationApproval focus
FlamedRough, matt and visibly granularOutdoor paving, plazas and stepsSlip requirement, colour and uniformity
Bush-hammeredEvenly textured with a pronounced reliefOutdoor paving, walls and landscape workTexture density, depth and edges
PolishedHigh gloss with stronger colourInteriors, walls, decoration and memorialsGloss, flatness and scratches
HonedSmooth, low-gloss and soft-lookingInterior floors, walls and custom workFineness, colour and water marks
LeatheredTactile and low-glossPremium custom and decorative surfacesTexture consistency and touch
Water-jetFine roughness and natural appearanceLandscape paving and custom projectsRoughness, tone and approved sample

What should be written into a finish approval?

  1. Granite name, batch and reference sample.
  2. Finish, processed faces and exposed-face coverage.
  3. Colour, roughness, gloss or texture requirements.
  4. Treatment of edges, curves and holes.
  5. Large-sample, dry-lay or pre-dispatch photograph approval.

Outdoor safety performance and technical values should follow project design, conditions of use and applicable standards. A factory finish sample confirms appearance; it does not replace the project designer’s safety assessment.

FINISH FAQ

Questions about granite finishes

Which granite finishes are commonly considered for outdoor paving?

Flamed and bush-hammered finishes are commonly compared for outdoor paving, but final selection must follow the project slip requirement, drainage, contamination environment and design criteria.

Is polished granite suitable for an exterior floor?

Polished granite emphasises colour and gloss. Suitability in wet or slippery conditions must be determined by project design and applicable safety criteria, not appearance alone.

Does the same granite colour look identical in every finish?

No. Rough and polished finishes reveal colour, grain and texture differently. Compare physical samples made from the same granite.

Why should a project approve a larger sample?

A small sample cannot represent area-wide colour variation, grain distribution and joint appearance. Consider a representative larger sample or agreed dry-lay range.

Does the same finish name guarantee the same result?

No. Machinery, processing parameters, stone batch and approval sample affect appearance. The written order should make the approved sample the acceptance reference.

Request finish samples for the selected granite

State granite, location, dimensions, quantity and target appearance.

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