Terminology

Stohn Terms

Backsplash: The area located between the countertop and cabinets.

Brick pattern: The method of setting rectangular tiles in an offset fashion.

Brushed finish: A finish resulting from treating the stone surface with a coarse wire rotary brush. Surface with brushed finish may have a soft, leather like appearance. Looking worn and shiny if dense stone.

BS-EN: British and European standard testing.

CAD: Computer aided design. Data from CAD files can be used to programme CNC machines for precise creation of designs.

Calibrated Tile: Stone tile that has been machine cut to within a certain tolerance. The lower the tolerance the better.

Chiseled Edge: edge of the stone tile that has been either mechanically or hand chipped. Stone tiles with chiseled edge have a rustic, aged, appearance.

Cleft finish/Split face: finish obtained by the method of splitting stone along its natural plane.

CNC: Computer Numerically Controlled. The use of computer guided robotic technology to manufacture items (in this case from natural stone). Data is programmed into the computer and followed to a precise standard by the cutting tool/robotic arm being used. Tools include water jet cutting, drills and blades.

Cross-cut: stone that has been cut from the stone block parallel to the natural bedding plane. Cross-cut stone has a mottled or cloudlike appearance.

Filled stone: stone that has small or large cavities have been pre-filled at the factory. Commonly found in Travertine.  Judge Travertine quality on frequency of holes/density. Good quality travertine should need VERY LITTLE IF ANY filling when it has come out of the ground. 

Flamed finish: Results of this process change from stone type to stone type. Generally a rough textured surface achieved through exposure to heat and flame. Usually associated with granite but also achievable with great quality limestone.

Grout: A cement or epoxy based material used to fill joints between tiles.

Herringbone pattern: A method of setting rectangular tiles slanted, creating a zigzag effect

Honed finish: A matt finish that varies according to the density of stone and type of stone. Higher quality limestones will have a natural sheen, although often there may be dull areas depending on surface colour or variations in the material.

Inserts/Cabochons: Decorative tiles or accent pieces that can be inserted into the area where four tiles meet, or placed in the center of a stone tile.

Pillowed edge: An edge that is soft and rounded.

Polished finish: A shiny, glossy finish achieved by polishing on hard stones. A Polished finish draws out the deepest colour of the stone.

Quarry: A location where blocks of stone are removed from earth. Often factories will be many miles from the quarry and require extra travel time (and often adventure) to see.

Reverse Engineering: In this case, reverse engineering is the process where a clients design is broken down into parts for best route to construction and resolving highly complex problems.

Stohn Ltd: Stohn (pronounced "stone") is a company passionate about quality and beauty. The successful project is more than just a pay cheque it is a monument to all those involved and a provision for future generations. That is Stohn.

Tumbled: A finish achieved by placing stone tiles in a tumbling machine or drum which are filled with large round "beach" stones to soften the edges and give the surface a time-worn look.

Unfilled: Stone surface with pits and holes that have not been filled. Avoid purchasing stone with holes and pits as it is often lower quality. Stones such as Travertine will always have a certain amount of holes but the fewer the better.

Vein cut: Stone that has been cut from the stone block perpendicular to the natural bedding plane. Vein cut stone has enhanced horizontal vein structure. Vein cut stone can be less physically sound and so only the best stone should be used in this way.

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