What polishing does to stone
Polishing is the processing and buffing of the surface with progressively finer abrasives. As the surface becomes smoother, it begins to reflect light evenly and the color layers within the stone become visible. Veins become sharper, dark tones deepen. A marble's most striking state is usually its polished surface.
Where to use it
- Wall: Its most suitable place. Slipperiness is not a problem, and the reflected light enlarges the space.
- Living room and bedroom floors: Can be used in areas that rarely get wet; placing a doormat at the entrance reduces scratching.
- Bathroom wall and shower wall: Performs without issues despite steam and water, and the enclosure looks spacious.
Where to be careful
A polished surface is slippery when wet; it should not be chosen for bathroom floors, shower bases, kitchen floors or outdoors. In addition, a glossy surface shows scratches and dull marks much more clearly than a honed surface. The dull mark left when an acidic liquid drips is noticeable at first glance on a polished surface.
Care
Sealing is still needed on polished natural stone; polishing does not fully close the pores. For cleaning, use a pH-neutral product and a soft cloth. Abrasive powder cleaners and hard sponges dull the polish over time. Keep lemon, vinegar and limescale remover away from the surface.
Sales unit and calculation
Relationship with lighting
Because a polished surface reflects light, the position of the lighting directly affects its appearance. Light coming from the side, close to the wall, shows the slightest unevenness in the surface as a shadow. If you are planning this kind of lighting, the wall must be very flat and the tiles must sit at the same level; otherwise the gloss magnifies the flaws.
Tiles are priced per square meter and sold in boxes; mosaic sheets, borders and accessories are priced per piece. Enter the square meters you need in the calculator on the product page; it finds how many boxes you need and adds the waste allowance. The allowance we recommend is between 10 and 15 percent.
