Installation
Pool Surround Stone: 7 Things to Get Right Before You Order
What to look for in stone around a pool: grip when wet, finish, heat, drainage and cleaning.
Glossary
Honed, Flamed or Bush Hammered: Which Stone Finish Fits You?
A short glossary of stone finishes and which Nurstones stones come in each.
Quick answer
A finish is how the surface of the stone is treated. Honed is smooth and matte, flamed and bush hammered are textured, sawn cut keeps the saw surface, and carved is shaped by hand.
Why the Finish Matters
The finish changes how a stone looks, feels underfoot, and how easy it is to clean. The same stone can look lighter, darker or rougher with a different finish, so compare finishes on a sample.
Honed
A honed surface is ground smooth with a soft matte look and little shine. It suits walls, interiors and areas where a smooth feel is wanted.
Sawn Cut
Sawn cut leaves the surface as the saw cut it. It is flat, a little rough and has a natural, unfinished look.
Flamed
Flaming heats the surface and then cools it, which makes the top layer flake and leaves a rough texture. Flamed surfaces give more grip and are commonly chosen for driveways, walkways and wet areas. Andesite is available flamed.
Bush Hammered
Bush hammering strikes the surface to leave a pitted texture. Like flamed, it is a textured finish chosen where grip matters. Black lava stone and andesite are available bush hammered.
Rough Face, Carved and Polished
Rough face keeps a natural split surface with strong texture. Carved means the stone is shaped by hand for reliefs and ornaments. Polished is smooth and shiny, which we list for pebble stone.
Finishes by Stone
| Stone | Finishes |
|---|---|
| Sukabumi Green Stone | Honed, Sawn Cut |
| Black Lava Stone | Honed, Sawn Cut, Bush Hammered |
| Andesite Stone | Flamed, Bush Hammered, Honed |
| Palimanan Stone | Honed, Sawn Cut, Rough Face |
| Pebble Stone | Natural, Polished |
| Paras Stone | Carved, Sawn Cut, Rough Face |
Frequently asked questions
Which finish gives the most grip?
Textured finishes such as flamed and bush hammered generally give more grip than honed. Test a wet sample before choosing for pools or driveways.
Does the finish change the colour of the stone?
It can. The same stone may look lighter, darker or rougher with a different finish, so compare samples.
Which finish is best for walls?
Honed, sawn cut and rough face are all used on walls. Choose the look you want and compare samples.
Can I get a sample in a specific finish?
Yes, samples can be arranged. Tell us the stone and finish you need.
