The term honing, Webster says: “the process of sharpening something”, such as a tool or skills. In the stone finishing industry, honing has as many different meanings as there are stone finishers honing stone. The finisher may refer to it as a procedure, the tile retailer may refer to it as a look or shine of the stone. The term has become too diluted and over-used to provide an accurate description. We don’t like the term and believe our “Custom Abrasive Process” is far more descriptive as a procedure for simply the finishing of your newly installed travertine tile. Hire the Travertine experts to care for your Travertine tile.
TRAVERTINE FLOOR TILE IS USUALLY SOLD AS:
- honed and filled
- honed and unfilled
- tumbled
- tumbled, brushed and polished
Honed and filled travertine tile has the natural holes on the surface of the tile filled with a material that is very dense and has the ability to shine. Honing refers to an abrasive. A substance used to sand, scour, scrub, smooth or polish. Using abrasives to make the stone surface so smooth that it reflects light that results in a clear shine. by removal of the original material. The amount of material removed is determined by the size of the abrasive. A substance used to sand, scour, scrub, smooth or polish by removal of the original material. The amount of material removed is determined by the size of the abrasive particles used (ie: grit) Sandpaper, scouring powders and steel wool are examples of abrasives. particles used (ie: grit) Sandpaper, scouring powders & steel wool are examples of abrasives. process used during the milling of the tile.
THE THREE LEVELS OF SHINE ARE:
- Satin: A low luster glow for Travertine or Limestone. Reflections from overhead lighting and outside light sources are a soft glow. This finish provides a clean even sheen.
- Medium Shine: A custom finish that is definitely a shine, but has no defined stopping point. The shine level can be adjusted to be less or more shiny depending on homeowner taste. uses abrasives as well as proprietary chemical blends to continue the smoothing of the surface. The process actually reduces porosity by reducing surface area and chemically closing some of the microscopic holes. A medium finish involves some polishing, but not as much as a glossy finish.
- Glossy: Glossy finish results when we continue to polish, using abrasives to make the stone surface so smooth that it reflects light that results in a clear shine beyond the medium finish.
What is honed and unfilled travertine tile?
Honed and unfilled travertine is sold with the natural holes exposed. The holes are filled with grout during installation.
What is tumbled travertine tile?
Tumbled travertine tile is placed in a machine that agitates it. The process weathers the stone and creates a very textured and extremely porous surface. This gives the stone an aged, old-world look.
Tumbled travertine is almost always sold unfilled. It is common to have many natural holes exposed by the tumbling process.