This is a thermal finish on full range bluestone

Do you always spec thermal finish on bluestone steps? How about on the bluestone paving? Do you find the coloring is overly muted as compared to the natural cleft?

I don't always spec thermal for steps, or paving. Natural cleft defintely brings out the best natural color of the stone. Any treatment to the bluestone does certain things to the color of the stone. Thermal still leaves the color, but sandblast mutes the color considerably. The nosing of the step can be finished in a number of ways; thermal, cleft cut, sand blast, etc.

Thanks!