Honed v Polished Marble

You’ve decided: marble is the material for your house.  It’s elegant and luxurious and just the touch your home needs.  But how do you decide what kind to get and where to put it?  When something as simple as the finish of the stone can so drastically change how it looks, how do you decide?

Honed Marble

Hone marble refers to a marble slab that’s been ground down to a smooth, flat surface.  Instead of polishing, the stone is left with a matte finish and a velvety feel. 

• Honed marble is more durable.  It’s more resistant to scratches, and, when it does get scratched, it’s less noticeable because light doesn’t reflect off the matte finish the way it does the glossy finish of polished marble.
• Because it’s not polished, it’s more susceptible to stains than its shiny counterpart.  This is easily remedied by immediately cleaning up any spills. 
• Honed marble is great for marble flooring!  Due to the matte surface, it’s far less slippery than polished marble when it gets wet. 
• It’s easily maintained with regular wipe downs with mild detergent, immediately cleaning spills, and occasional resealing.
• Because of its durability, honed marble is perfect for countertops and high traffic areas such as entryway and bathroom floors. 

Polished Marble

To state the obvious, polished marble is exactly what it sounds like: polished.  The stone is left with a glossy shine enhanced by the natural reflection in the stone’s crystals. 

• Polished marble is coated, which is what gives it its characteristic glossy look.  This coating makes the marble less susceptible to staining than honed marble.
• Because it has such a highly reflective surface, scratches on the surface are far more visible and noticeable than those in its honed counterpart.
• Polished marble is exceptionally smooth, making it a less than ideal option for flooring in high traffic areas, especially entryways and bathrooms that may see a lot of water because it can get extremely slippery when wet. 
• Like honed marble, polished marble is very easily maintained with regular wipe downs with mild detergent and immediately cleaning spills when they happen. 
• Polished marble is a classic choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops and can offer a striking and luxurious feature as a fireplace surround or accent wall. 

Whether honed or polished, marble is a durable and versatile material that can be used in a variety of applications in the home to give you just the look you want.