What Is Honing? The Advantages of a Honed Matte Finish

In short: Honing is leaving the stone surface smooth but not glossy, with a silky matte finish.

In recent years it has become increasingly popular in interior design, hotels and holiday rentals. In this article, we explain how honing is done, how it differs from a polished surface, and its advantages.

How Is Honing Done?

Honing is achieved by stopping the grinding stages at a certain point. The stone is taken through the coarse and medium stages, but not through the final polishing stages. As a result, the surface is:

• Flat and smooth: Because the coarse and medium stages remove level differences and scratches, the surface stays completely flat and smooth, even though it is not glossy.
• Velvety to the touch: Since the final polishing stages are skipped, a very fine texture remains on the surface; it feels soft and velvety rather than slippery.
• Diffused light reflection: It reflects light in a scattered way rather than in a single direction like a mirror; for this reason, the floor does not glare and takes on a silky, soft appearance.

The degree of matte finish can be adjusted depending on the stage at which you stop: a flatter matte or a slightly silky sheen.

Comparison of Polished and Honed Surfaces

Advantages of a Honed Surface

Slip Resistance

In wet areas and on stairs, a honed surface is safer than a polished one. It is often preferred for bathrooms, kitchens, pool surrounds and stairs.

Hides Imperfections

Fine scratches, footprints and light acid marks that stand out immediately on a polished surface are much less noticeable on a honed one. In heavily used areas, the floor looks "new" for longer.

Easy Maintenance

Since there is no such thing as a loss of shine on a honed surface, dulling that occurs over time often goes unnoticed. The need for periodic shine renewal is lower.

Modern and Natural Look

Honed marble and travertine offer a simple, natural look; they are very popular in modern interiors and Mediterranean-style homes.

Disadvantages

Alongside the practical advantages of a honed surface, there are also a few differences in appearance and maintenance that you should know about before deciding.

• Paler color: Because it scatters light, the stone's color and veining appear paler and in softer tones than on a polished surface.
• Slightly more absorbent surface: The open fine texture can absorb liquids slightly more easily than a polished surface; suitable impregnation closes this gap.
• Expectation of a luxurious look: Some people prefer a glossy, luxurious look; if you have this expectation, a matte surface may not seem impressive enough at first glance.

Can an Existing Polished Floor Be Honed?

Yes. A polished floor can be turned into a honed surface by removing the gloss. This is a common procedure especially for bathrooms, stairs and entrances that are found to be slippery. Conversely, a honed floor can also be polished with additional stages.

Doing a test on a small area before deciding is the best way to see the result.

Which Surface for Which Area?

Choosing a surface depends as much on usage conditions as on taste; wetness, foot traffic and maintenance frequency determine which surface is suitable.

• Bathroom, shower and hammam: A honed surface is recommended; since traction on wet floors is the priority, polished stone with a mirror-like shine carries a slipping risk in these areas.
• Kitchen floor and countertop: A honed surface is recommended; marks left by acids such as lemon and vinegar, and scratches from daily use, are less visible on a matte surface.
• Stairs and entrances: A honed surface, or at least a honed stair nosing, is preferred; heavy traffic and moisture tracked in from outside increase slipperiness here.
• Living room and bedroom: Since these are dry, low-traffic areas, the choice comes down to taste; both polished and honed surfaces give suitable results.
• Hotel lobby: A polished surface is usually preferred; in busy entrance areas that get wet on rainy days, a honed strip can be considered.
• Holiday rentals: A honed surface is recommended; scratches and stains are less noticeable between guest turnovers, which makes maintenance easier.

Steps of the Honing Process

If an existing polished floor is to be honed, the floor is first cleaned and any old polish or coating layers are removed. Then, if there are height differences or deep scratches, work begins with the coarse grits; if the floor is level, work proceeds directly with the medium grits. Once the desired degree of matte finish is reached, the grit stages are stopped, the floor is washed and dried, and a sealer is applied. This job generally takes less time than fully polishing an area of the same size, because the final polishing stages are not carried out.

Realistic Expectations for a Honed Surface

Although a honed surface is much safer when wet than a polished one, it is not completely slip-proof; soap, oil and algae can make any surface slippery. In addition, colors look slightly more muted than in the polished state; some homeowners find this simple and natural, while others want a more vibrant tone. In that case, stopping at a light, silky sheen or using a color-enhancing sealer is a good middle ground.

Honing in Alanya

In Alanya, demand for honed marble and travertine in holiday rentals, villa bathrooms and hotel room wet areas increases every year. The fact that polished floors feel slippery in areas entered with wet feet from the pool or the sea is steering homeowners toward honing. In our projects, we first show different degrees of matte finish on a small test area, then apply the chosen finish to the entire area and complete it with a sealer.