marimar

Technical insights

Special surface finishes in natural stone

The language of the surface

Special finishes represent the contemporary evolution of surface treatments in natural stone. They arise from the intersection of aesthetic research, design and advanced technologies, significantly expanding the expressive vocabulary of the material. Through digital tools, precision control and combined processes, the stone surface becomes a field of experimentation, capable of generating complex textures and distinctive identities.

In this context, the goal is not to add an external decorative layer, but to extract the aesthetic potential already inherent in the stone, enhancing its structure, veining and composition. Special finishes allow the surface to be interpreted as a true design element, measurable and controllable, in dialogue with space and surrounding materials.

Credits: Luca Morandini

Wen-PEC

The Wen-PEC finish results from a combination of sandblasting, waterjet and brushing, creating a surface characterised by linear wrinkles that alternate rough and soft areas. Visually, it recalls the texture of wengé wood, while maintaining a strong stone identity, with continuous directional marks.

The result is a dynamic, tactile and deep surface, where the finish enhances the material’s reading without overpowering its nature.

Corteccia

The Corteccia finish uses the same technology as Wen-PEC, but with a stronger dosage of sand and water through waterjet. The aim is to sculpt the surface more deeply, carving the material in an irregular and expressive way.

Not all stones are suitable for this process: material selection is crucial to achieve the desired result. When the stone is appropriate, the outcome is highly scenographic, with a strong natural and expressive character.

Juta

The Juta finish is obtained through a combination of sandblasting, waterjet and brushes, using a double striation pass to create a textile-like effect on the slab surface. The texture appears ordered yet vibrant, offering a refined and tactile visual quality.

It is particularly effective on monochromatic stones, where the pattern emerges clearly, but can also produce unexpected results on more varied materials, enriching their visual complexity.

Tranché

The Tranché finish is achieved through diamond discs, rollers and brushing, resulting in a fine cross-grained texture that recalls saw-cut marks against the grain. The surface appears structured yet compact, with a “closed” texture that is easy to clean.

It combines material character with technical control and performs especially well on compact marbles and granites, as well as monochromatic quartzites and agglomerates, where the regular pattern enhances elegance.

Rigato

The Rigato finish can be produced using different techniques depending on the desired effect. With waterjet and sandblasting, the grooves remain more superficial, while mechanical cutting with diamond discs creates a stronger three-dimensional effect.

Several variants are possible: Rigato, Rigato Soft with brushing, and Rigato Rock, where linear grooves interact with a more rugged texture. The process can be applied to stones, marbles, granites and agglomerates, with slabs calibrated prior to finishing.

Rockfinish

Rockfinish is a complex finish achieved through a sequence of bush-hammering, sandblasting, waterjet and, if required, final brushing. The process begins with deep impacts that mark the slab decisively, followed by sand and water shaping the surface to add movement and depth.

Brushing can be used to soften the result while preserving its material impact. This finish is performed on marble slabs with a minimum thickness of 3 cm.

Crosta

The Crosta finish relies entirely on the power of waterjet, which penetrates the natural incoherence of the stone, emphasising fractures, discontinuities and depth. The result is an irregular and striking surface that highlights the internal structure of the material.

It produces particularly interesting results on labradorescent granites, but can also be explored on other stones. A minimum slab thickness of 3 cm is required.

Bamboo

The Bamboo finish draws inspiration from cane patterns through the use of rollers and brushing, generating a regular sequence of grooves that evoke natural rhythm. The surface is rhythmic, elegant and three-dimensional, capable of engaging with contemporary architectural languages without becoming decorative.

Flut

Flut is a fluted finish created using special grinding wheels, which engrave the surface with a uniform pitch. The depth and width of the grooves can be adjusted depending on the chosen design, allowing precise control over rhythm and three-dimensional effect.

Other three-dimensional profiles

This category includes finishes that work the surface through deep, controlled incisions, creating complex geometric patterns. Thanks to digital technologies and dedicated tools, the stone surface becomes a sculpted volume, transforming the material into an active architectural element.

The surface as a design statement

Special finishes represent a frontier of research in natural stone, where technological innovation and material identity coexist. The surface is no longer just a finish, but a design tool capable of expressing character, rhythm and depth.

The value of these processes lies in their adjustability: the intensity of the texture can be calibrated, allowing balanced interpretations consistent with the project. It is within this balance between control and material that the surface becomes a contemporary design language.

Discover traditional surface finishes in natural stone.

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