Grow your Portfolio with diverse Basalt finishes

The world of natural stone is vast, and we already know that not every stone suits every construction project. Have you ever been upset when a customer comes to you and then leaves just because they can't find the right stone?

Losing a potential customer is a pain for every business, and we empathize with that. If this also matters to you, it's time to expand your product portfolio! Basalt stone might be a strong candidate for this purpose, and the variety of basalt finishes can be sure to add glamor to your collection.

Table of contents

1. 1. The Value of Basalt finishes
2. 2. Different type of Basalt finishes
3. 2.1. Basalt Split face stone
4. 2.2. Basalt Bush hammered stone
5. 2.3. Basalt Flamed Stone
6. 2.4. Basalt Honed Stone
7. 2.5. Basalt Polished stone
8. 2.6. Other finishes
9. 3. Adding additional basalt finishes to your portfolio

1.The value of Basalt finishes

Why do people care about the finishes?

Basalt stone itself already plays a significant role in stone selection. With its dark shades, it seamlessly blends with various surrounding color palettes, especially complementing modern minimalistic designs. Additionally, basalt can be used in a rustic manner in many cases, thanks to its core properties of durability and its ability to withstand harsh environments. So, how do basalt finishes add value to the stone?

We can identify two types of value:

• Functional Value: The surface finishes of basalt stone impart specific properties to the final products, determining the stone's intended usage.
• Aesthetic Value: These surface finishes create a range of textures on the basalt stone that cater to specific tastes and design preferences. Moreover, the texture can influence the overall appearance of the stone by interacting differently with environmental lighting, adding nuances to construction designs.

2.Different type of Basalt finishes

Knowing why basal finishes matter to the stone choice of your potential customers, now, let’s explore the various possibilities of basalt finishes and get some insight about their real-world applications.

2.1.Basalt Split face stone

Basalt split face stone is achieved by hand splitting or chiseling the surface of basalt. This process creates a rugged, natural texture with uneven and jagged edges, giving the stone a distinctive, organic appearance and retaining its original color.

Although this is one of the simplest methods to finish basalt stone, it requires experienced workers. They will know how to apply force at the right angle to achieve the desired split surface without breaking the stone into pieces.

This surface manufacturing method offer both notable advantages and disadvantages as follows:

Advantages:

• Unique Aesthetic: Basalt split face stone offers a rustic and raw look, perfect for creating a natural, earthy ambiance.
• Durability: The rugged surface enhances the stone's durability and makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.
• Slip-Resistance: Its textured surface provides excellent slip resistance, making it ideal for flooring in wet or high-traffic areas.

Disadvantaged:

• Difficult to Clean: The irregular surface of split face stone can trap dirt and debris, making it challenging to clean.
• Limited Interior Use: While it's great for outdoor applications, the rough texture may not be suitable for all indoor spaces, particularly those requiring a smoother surface.

By these considerations, basalt split face stone is widely used in exterior and landscaping design where durability, rustic looks and the ability to withstand high-traffic volume are desirable. Some applications can be basalt pavers (such as cubes or paving stone), wall bricks, palisades, borders or kerbs (curbs), and block steps.

2.2.Basalt Bush hammered stone

Bush hammered basalt involves using a specialized hammering machine to create a rough, textured surface with small, shallow craters or depressions. This technique imparts a unique, tactile quality to the stone. However, it is notable that the stone might have a lighter color because of tiny scratches created by the manufacturing process.

Advantages:

• Anti-Slip Texture: The rough surface offers exceptional slip resistance, making it a safe choice for outdoor applications.
• Distinctive Appearance: Bush hammered basalt has a visually intriguing texture that adds character to any space.
• Weather Resistance: It can withstand exposure to various weather conditions, making it suitable for outdoor use.

Disadvantage:

• Uneven Surface: The rough surface may not be comfortable to walk on barefoot or with certain types of footwear.
• May Collect Dirt: Similar to split face stone, the textured surface can accumulate dirt over time, requiring regular maintenance.

For these properties, basalt bush hammered stone is also suitable for paving stones, stepping stones and block steps. These surfaces are slip-resistance and rough, applicable for outdoor designs.

2.3.Basalt Flamed Stone

To create this distinctive texture, a propane torch or specialized flamethrower is used to apply intense heat evenly across the stone's surface. This rapid temperature change leads to surface fractures and the formation of a rugged, uneven finish. 

The flamed stone shares some similarities with the two previous finishes, such as slip resistance and a natural blending texture, but it is prone to staining. However, it does not significantly alter the stone's color, unlike a bush-hammered finish, and it boasts a more seamless texture. These qualities make it versatile for both outdoor and indoor applications. You can find the flamed surface on basalt paving stones, stepping stones, pool copings, wall cappings, block steps, as well as interior tiles and slabs for flooring and walling.

2.4.Basalt Honed Stone

Honed basalt finishes involve extensive grinding and polishing of the stone's surface to achieve a smooth, matte appearance. This process results in a uniform texture and color. Honed stone is typically matte or satin in appearance, and they diffuse light rather than reflecting it directly. This diffusion of light can make the surface appear softer and, in some cases, lighter.

Advantages:

• Sleek Sophistication: Honed basalt offers a sleek, modern appearance with a satin-like finish.
• Easy to Clean: The smooth surface is easy to maintain and clean.
• Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of interior applications.

Disadvantages:

• Less Tactile: The smooth surface lacks the tactile quality of rougher finishes, which some people may prefer.
• Requires Regular Maintenance: Honed basalt may show wear and scuff marks more readily than rougher finishes, necessitating more maintenance. In addition, it is still porous and can leave stains on the surface.

Honed basalt is often used for bathroom tiles, kitchen backsplashes, slab countertops and interior cladding in residential and commercial spaces

2.5.Basalt Polished stone

Polished stone finish involves extensive grinding and buffing to create a highly reflective, mirror-like surface with a glossy appearance. As a result, polished stone generally has a darker color, and in the case of basalt, it creates a bold, modern visual.

Advantages:

• Luxurious Appearance: Polished basalt exudes luxury and sophistication, making it an excellent choice for high-end projects.
• Easy to Clean: The smooth surface is easy to maintain and resistant to staining.
• Enhanced Color: Polishing can intensify the stone's natural color and grain.

Disadvantages:

• Slippery When Wet: The high-gloss surface can become slippery when wet, posing a safety risk in areas prone to moisture.
• Visible Scratches: Polished basalt can show scratches and imperfections more prominently than other finishes, requiring careful handling.

Polished basalt is often found in high-end interiors, feature walls, slab countertops, flooring tiles, and some art sculpture and decorative elements.

2.6.Other finishes

In addition to the major finishes mentioned earlier, basalt stone can also undergo a sawn surface treatment. Typically, before undergoing processes like flaming, honing, or polishing, the original basalt stone is cut (or sawn) into the required sizes and shapes. There are instances where a sawn finish is preferred, such as in the case of these stepping stones. 

The sawn finish imparts a lighter appearance to the stone and gives it a matte tone. This finish is suitable for various external applications, including paving, steps, pathways, driveways, and patios. While the sawn surface is generally smooth, there may be faint "blade/saw markings" visible on the material's surface.

The 'brushed' finish is another intriguing choice, which refines the stone's original surface finish, typically the flamed finish. This technique offers a distinctive texture, achieved by using abrasive brushes or tools to gently brush the stone's surface. The outcome is a subtly textured, matte appearance with nuanced color variations. The resulting surface maintains a distinct roughness, the extent of which depends on the stone's initial finish.

3.Adding additional basalt finishes to your portfolio

Now that you've explored various basalt finishes and their real-world applications, it's time to consider expanding your product portfolio with these diverse options. At A Plus, we are your trusted source for natural stone from Vietnam, offering a wide variety of basalt finishes to suit both indoor and outdoor applications. With A Plus as your supplier, you can trust in our reliable sourcing and manufacturing capabilities to provide a steady and long-term supply to meet your customers' needs.