Purchasing natural stone is an investment in lasting beauty that will give you many years of wear. Below are a few tips on how to properly care for your natural stone and help extend its life and beauty. It is highly recommended that a maintenance professional be consulted if there is any doubt about whether or not a specific method or product is safe and effective.
Granite
- Hardness: Hard
- Absorption: Varies - Oil, Water
- Limitations: Absorbs oils and other liquids, brittle
- Sealer: Sub-surface repellents - oil repellent type recommended
- Cleaner: Neutral pH detergent or pure soap
- Finish: None normally, wax recommended
Granite is the least susceptible of any product to scratches. It is the second hardest natural substance next to diamond and holds its luster forever. Polished granite usually is more absorbent to liquids than many people suppose. We seal the granite prior to installation. Following that, you should seal the stone after six months and again a year after installation. After the one year anniversary granite should be sealed once a year. Granite is completely impervious to heat. Unlike synthetics that can be easily damaged from a hot pot or pan, you can place any scorching hot or icy cold item directly on the stone without a worry.
Marble
- Hardness: Soft
- Absorption: Oil, Water
- Limitations: Absorbs oils and other liquids, easily scratched, acid sensitive
- Sealer: Penetrating type siloxane or fluoropolymer
- Cleaner: Natural soap or neutral pH detergent
- Finish: Polished - liquid, paste wax
Polished marble is ideal for vertical application but requires a high level of maintenance when used as flooring especially in high traffic situations. Non-reflective finishes perform well as flooring with minimal maintenance once treated with recommended sealers. Marble isn’t quite as worry-free as granite. It has softer less stain resistant surface and it should be treated like a fine piece of wood. Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Place mats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface. With proper care marble beauty will last for generations.
Limestone
- Hardness: Soft
- Absorption: Oil, Water
- Limitations: Absorbs oils and other liquids, easily scratched, acid sensitive, polished-interior use only
- Sealer: Penetrating type siloxane or fluoropolymer
- Cleaner: Natural soap or neutral pH detergent
- Finish: Polished - liquid, paste wax
Most true limestone types are porous and absorbent. Some limestone is semi-metamorphic and will have physical properties similar to metamorphic marble. If the limestone is metamorphic it is "Marble". For our purposes here, Limestone is the chalky porous type typical of most French and Spanish limestone. Non-reflective finishes are practical as flooring but require sealing to minimize stains. Dense, low absorbent varieties of limestone can be suitable in shower areas but beware of using too soft a limestone in high stress areas. Sealing is normally recommended for both interior and exterior locations.
Slate
- Hardness: Soft - easily scratched
- Absorption: Low - medium oil, water other liquids
- Limitations: Absorbs oils/ liquids
- Sealer: Sub-surface repellents oil repellent type recommended
- Cleaner: Neutral pH detergent or pure soap
- Finish: Acrylic/wax recommended
Cleft slate is very durable in most situations but quality varies. Slate is typically rustic in appearance but some milled or smooth products are available in some varieties. Wear is typically taken on the peaks or high spots of the textured surface. Acrylics are used when a highly reflective finish is desired. Excellent exterior paving stone. Higher absorbency varieties may not be suitable for exterior areas in freezing climates.
Slate characteristics vary with source. Domestic is typically black, green or mottled (Pennsylvania) and is relatively dense. Many imported slates are available today with wide ranging physical characteristics and overall suitability. Evaluate your stone for density, tensile strength, absorbency and abrasion resistance. Make sure your slate characteristics are compatible with the intended function.