Natural Stone Definitions
H
Hand-split Post
Posts made by hand-splitting granite or other kinds of stone.
Halite
Rock salt; the mineral form of sodium chloride (NaCl); a sedimentary rock.
Hardness
Head
The exposed surface of the jointed end of any given piece of stone with a gauged dimension not more than the minimum thickness of the material specified. Also known as “return head.”
Hearth
- The floor of a fireplace together with an adjacent area of fire-resistant material that extends into the room.
- An area permanently floored with fire-resistant material beneath and surrounding a stove.
Hearth Stone
Originally the single large stone or stones used for the hearth, now most commonly used to describe the stone in front of the fire chamber and many times extending on either or both sides of the front of the fire chamber.
Honed Finish
Honing makes the surface of natural stone smooth and matted, without or with a limited reflection of light. Honed finishes are created through mechanical grinding and sanding, but not to the point of a glossy finish. Unlike polished finishes, they are not reflective. The surface has a lighter shade, but the overall color and depth of the stone is preserved. Honing can create subtle vein movement rather than dramatic color changes in polished finishes. Honed finishes are used for low-slip high-traffic floors, interior wall covering, exterior finishes, fireplace surrounds, and countertops. Surface roughness can vary from slick (< 1/64”) to smooth (1/64-1/16”), depending on the process. Waterjet finishes can provide a similar look to honed but have an even less slippery surface.
Horizon Line
The mark on reclaimed curb made from the weathering process at the tar line.
Hysteresis, thermal
A residual or permanent volume change in stones after the temperature has been normalized, generally causing the stone panel to bow. Most commonly associated with fine-grained true marbles used in thin panel applications.
