Without a doubt, natural stone can add warmth, elegance and functionality to any kitchen, bathroom, fireplace or landscape. For that reason, homeowners and business owners alike regularly use marble, quartz, granite or another natural material. Still, before you opt for a natural stone as opposed to a man-made one or ceramic or porcelain tile, you might want to know whether natural stone requires sealant. The straightforward answer is yes.
Why do you have to seal natural stone?
Natural stone is naturally porous. This means it has millions of tiny holes that might not be visible to the naked eye. These holes can allow liquids, gases, dirt and grime to make their way into the stone, however. If you do not apply a sealant to the natural stone, you might end up with unsighly stains and foul odors that are difficult -- if not impossible -- to remove.
How often do you have to seal natural stone?
When a tile and stone contractor installs natural stone, you can expect him or her to apply an initial sealant. How long this sealant lasts depends on a number of factors, including how much activity your natural stone sees and which type of natural stone you have. Generally, the more porous your stone, the more often you must seal it. Onyx, marble and limestone, for example, are highly porous and require frequant applicants of sealant. By contrast, less-porous stone, like quartz and granite, might only require sealant annually.
How do you choose a natural stone sealant?
As you might expect, there are many natural stone sealants on the market today. Your Denver tile installer can explain the right type of sealant you need for your application. Otherwise, you should pick a sealant that is appropriate for your natural stone. The label on the product should give you enough information to make an informed purchase.
What precautions should you take?
When working with any chemical product, is is important to wear the appropriate personal protective gear. This typically includes gloves, a smock or apron, eye goggles and a respirator. You also should tape off any area where you do not want sealant to be. Finally, it is adviseable to work in a well-ventilated space. If you do not want to tackle your sealant project by yourself, a skilled tile installer in Colorado can do the job for you.
Now that you are up to speed on sealing natural stone, you are ready to protect your home or commercial space. Ultimately, with good technique and the right sealant, your natural stone can look beautiful for decades.
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