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South Wales UK

Tiling services in the South Wales area

About Tile Finishes

Tiles come in a huge variety of styles, not just colour, shape and size. This is especially relevant to natural tiles such as Travertine, Marble and Slate where the manufacturer may have added a variety of finishes to change the texture, lustre or even slip resistance.

Alea

A finish which offers a gently softened edge to the tile and a very light surface texture. top top

Antique

A term which encompasses various ageing/distressing methods which achieves a worn look to the stone. top top

Brushed

A method of 'ageing' stone with metal brushes which results in some surface texture and a softly rounded edge. top top

Calibrated

Where the stone has been finished to a uniform thickness. top top

Chipped

Where the edge of the stone has been worked to give a hand-chipped appearance. top top

Cobble

A stone that has been hand finished or tumbled to create a worn look. top top

Cross cut

Relates mainly to travertine where the blocks are cut horizontally to achieve the more commonly used finish. top top

Filled

Relates mainly to travertine which is usually characterised by surface pits and holes, these can be pre filled at source by a stone or epoxy resin substance. top top

Fissure

This is thin mineral veining which can be mistaken for a crack in the stone. top top

Flag

Usually a larger or thicker stone tile. top top

Flamed

A form of 'ageing' the stone where the surface is subject to intense heat, which achieves an unusual texture, which is also non slip. top top

Fossils

Fossils are remnants of past animals or plants. Fossils can exist in many different types of mineral. top top

Honed

Tiles are mechanically treated to achieve a smooth surface to the face of the stone. top top

Pillowed

A form of 'ageing' stone where the tiles have a soft, pronounced pillowed edge. top top

Polished

Where the stone is mechanically worked to achieve a high reflective gloss to the surface of the tile. top top

Riven

A naturally cleft or riven face is simply achieved by splitting blocks of stone. The term usually relates to slate, schist or sandstone. top top

Split face

Varying levels of chiseled stone. top top

Tumbled

A form of 'ageing' stone when the stone has been 'tumbled' which gives a rounded edge to the tile and the surface is slightly textured. top top

Uncalibrated

When the thickness of the tile varies to a greater or lesser degree. top top

Unfilled

This term is primarily related to travertine which is usually characterised by surface pits and holes unless purposefully filled. top top

Vein Cut

This tern relates to travertine or marble, where the blocks are cut to show their natural vertical striations. top top

Waxed

A form of 'ageing' the stone to give a sophisticated brushed look. top top