Monument Finishes
Monument Finishes
Along with color and size, monuments and markers can be completed in many finishes. Below you will find a descriptions of some common finishes used on stone monuments. Different finishes will add depth and texture to carvings, etchings and lettering on the monument. Finishes, like color and size, can be customized to give you the look you desire. Want to see these finishes up close? Visit our office in Muscatine, Iowa!
Stone Finishes
For a more rustic and natural appearance, consider a rock-pitched finish. This look is achieved by using a hammer and chisel, or a bolster with a hammer, to create a consistent, rough rock texture. Monuments with this finish tend to blend harmoniously with their surroundings, giving them a timeless and organic appeal.
A sawn finish refers to a smooth surface created by sawing the stone, resulting in a flat, sleek appearance. This process does not involve additional treatments and often leaves fine lines from the saw blade visible on the stone. Sawn finishes are commonly used on surfaces that will not be exposed or visible after installation.
A honed finish offers a clean, contemporary appearance with a smooth, matte surface. Created through a process of grinding and sanding, honed stone lacks the gloss of polished finishes but retains a refined texture. This finish is commonly used to add decorative contrast to polished areas.
A "stippled finish" on a granite headstone refers to a textured surface created by tiny, closely spaced "dimples" or indentations, achieved by lightly hitting the stone with a small pointed tool, giving it a slightly rough, dotted appearance rather than a smooth polished look; this adds visual interest and can enhance the contrast of lettering on the stone.
A steeled finish on granite creates a smooth yet matte surface with a subtle, frosted texture. Achieved through sandblasting with steel shot, this finish results in a bright, white appearance that offers a slightly textured look without the shine of a polished surface. It provides a refined yet understated aesthetic.
A dusted finish on granite creates a smooth, matte surface achieved through light sandblasting with abrasive grit. This treatment produces a subtle, textured appearance that is less bright than a steeled finish, offering a "lightly frosted" look with a non-reflective quality. Dusted finishes are commonly used on exposed monument surfaces where polished or rock-pitched effects are not desired. A frequent application for this finish is as a contrasting background panel for sandblasted lettering on memorials.
Sandblasting Graphic and Lettering Finishes
Sandblasting is a precise and versatile technique used to create detailed designs, inscriptions, and textures on headstones. The process begins with applying a stencil, usually made from rubber or vinyl, to the stone surface to protect areas that should remain untouched. The exposed portions are then sandblasted with an abrasive material, carving crisp and clean lines into the stone. This method is commonly used for engraving names, dates, epitaphs, and intricate decorative elements, such as floral motifs, religious symbols, or custom designs. The precision of sandblasting ensures that even the most intricate details are clear and well-defined.
In addition to engraving, sandblasting is used to create various textured finishes, such as matte, frosted, or subtly textured surfaces. Techniques like dusting or steeling use different abrasive materials to achieve these effects, which contrast beautifully with polished areas to enhance inscriptions and decorative features. Craftsmen can vary the intensity and duration of the sandblasting to create depth and relief, adding dimension to the design. This technique also allows for significant customization, enabling families to personalize headstones with unique imagery, fonts, or styles. Combining durability with artistic flexibility, sandblasting ensures that the engravings and textures remain visually striking and legible for years to come.
Monuments can be sandblasted with flat carvings or shape carvings. Flat carvings produce cut-lines consistent with the flat plane of the monument’s surface.
Shape carvings enhance an art component with a sculptured-3D effect, creating depth and contours.
There are five styles of sandblasting available for lettering:
Lithochrome (aka litho, tint, highlight) is a water-resistant paint that can be applied to the sandblasted areas of the stone to provide more contrast. Applied in the lettering and the cuts of sandblasted carvings the treated element becomes resistant to moisture, making them more visible when the stone is wet.
Generally, light lithochrome is applied to shallow/skin cut surfaces of polished dark stones and dark lithochrome is applied to deep cut areas on lighter colored stones.
It's important to note that because memorials must endure all sorts of weather, no lithochrome should be considered permanent. It will wear, as any paint wears over time in the outdoors. The effect is often uneven, meaning it will flake rather than fade. Some cemeteries prohibit the use of lithochrome due to this weathering effect.
