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Riven Finish: A natural untouched finish to the stone.
Chipped Edge: This finish gives the edge of the stone a chipped and uneven appearance.
Honed Stone: A process of flattening the surface of the stone to give a flat low sheen finish. This process can mute the final colours of the stone.
Filled Finish: Minor imperfections in the surface of the stone are pre filled with resin.
Unfilled Stone: Minor imperfections in the stone are left unfilled and natural looking.
Tumbled Stone: This process is used to give an aged/worn look to the stone.
Brushed Finish: This process creates a smooth but undulated surface by use of mechanical scabbler.
Polished Finish: This process is achieved by using fine abrasives to flatten the surface of the stone to give a very reflective, highly polished finish.
Worn Edge: This process is achieved by hand finishing the edges of the stone to produce an uneven cambered edge.
Category: Stone Care Products The use of natural stone in both residential and commercial environments has increased dramatically over the past ten years. Prior to this, polished marble was the primary stone utilized in interior areas. Today, numerous stones are used. What type of natural stone do you have inside your home, on your patios, entrys or in your exterior landscaping? Stone cladding today ranges from the very dense, low porosity stones such as granite to high porosity (very absorbent) stones such as sandstone. Surface textures also vary, ranging from very rough, textured surfaces such as cleft slate and flamed-finished granite to polished surfaces often found on marble and granite surfaces. Although natural stone provides an excellent upgrade from many of today’s synthetic alternatives, it must still be recognized that it is neither maintenance free or stain proof. Grout, even latex-modified, is also very porous and subject to sub-surface staining if not properly protected and maintained. Here are some excellent tips that will help insure the ongoing beauty, long life, cleanliness and slip resistance of your stone installation:
Do: Seal your stone and grout installation to improve the stain resistance and ease the ongoing maintenance. It is very important that the proper sealer be used based on the type of stone, surface finish and location. A good rule of thumb is that with denser stone, including polished surfaces, is that only penetrating–type sealers should be used. If you have a stone with a very porous (absorbent) or textured surface such as slate or sandstone, then you have an option of using a “coating” or surface sealer that will generally provide a degree of surface sheen or a penetrating-type sealer that will leave a completely natural look. Be careful when selecting coating-type sealers on exterior areas as many of the coating-type sealers currently available do not work well in exposed exterior environments. Don’t: Allow liquid contaminants to stand indefinitely on stone and grout surfaces, even if they are sealed. It is important to remove liquid contaminants as soon as possible. They will very quickly penetrate into unsealed stone and grout surfaces, making them difficult to extract, and eventually seep into even sealed surfaces if allowed to dwell for extended periods of time. A sealer should be viewed as providing reaction time to remove the contaminant before it penetrates and stains the stone or grout. Don’t: Directly wipe a liquid contaminant off the stone or grout surface. This will simply cause the stain to be spread over a larger area, and even drive the contaminant deeper into the stone or grout, especially if unsealed. Do: Quickly utilize an absorbent paper towel or rag to blot up any liquid contaminant remaining wet on the surface before scrubbing the surface with a proper cleaner. Don’t: Use acidic cleaners for routine stone maintenance. Although many stones are acid resistant, there are many stones (most noteworthy – Marble), which are sensitive to acids. Even a light solution of vinegar and water will quickly etch and dull polished marble surfaces. It is also important to note that acidic cleaners do not function as degreasers, but work by chemically attacking cement and calcium found in grout and some varieties of stone, thus damaging the structural integrity of the grout and stone. Do: Use neutral PH cleaners for everyday routine cleaning of stone and grout surfaces. In situations where periodic heavy duty cleaning is needed, use an alkaline (high PH) cleaner. These are excellent degreasers, working well on grout and most stone surfaces without chemically damaging these surfaces. It is recommended that whatever cleaner is used on fine polished marble, that it is always first tested to insure that it does not dull the polished surface. Don’t: Clean textured stone surfaces and grout using only a mop. Highly textured or uneven surfaces such a flamed granite, slate and sanded grout is rough finished and tends to grip and hold surface contaminants. A simple moping is not going to create sufficient surface agitation to release these clinging contaminants. Do: After applying a neutral PH or high alkaline cleaner, utilize a scrubbrush to create sufficient surface agitation to release the surface contaminants so they can be easily removed in the rinsing process. Don’t: Wet mop polished stone surfaces, allowing the polished surface to surface dry as the water evaporates. This will allow for eventual mineral buildup to occur which will dull high polished finishes. Do: Use absorbent paper or cotton towels to polish dry any water on the polished surface. This will eliminate the dulling mineral deposits that would be left behind if the water is left to naturally evaporate. This is also important in wet areas such as showers, where polished stone surfaces should be towel dried after use so as to eliminate eventual buildup of mineral-hard water deposits. Don’t: Just pick up any cleaner from your local grocery stone and use to clean your stone and grout. You would be surprised how many cleaners contain at least trace amounts of acid that can cause quick or eventual damage to fine stone and grout. Most stone and ceramic tile outlets carry cleaners that are specially designed to properly care for these fine surfaces. Do: Contact the product manufacturer if you have any questions about their product and its intended use. Manufacturers of these products should have toll free numbers and would encourage phone inquiries should there be any questions about their products.
The answer is simple. If you don't have to seal your stone, don't. Before sealing or selecting natural stone and granite sealers, consider these things: Do I even need to seal it? How do I know? Place several drops of water on the surface of the stone and see how long it takes for the water to completely disappear. If the water absorbs into the stone under one minute, it is very porous; up to 3-4 minutes, still consider it porous. If the water beads on the surface or if it is slowly absorbed into the stone, it can be considered as having a lower porosity. A polished surface finish will be less absorbent than an honed finish. Where is my stone located and what will it be exposed to? A kitchen countertop that is used daily will need a sealer that is oil repellant. A seldom used bathroom on the other hand, will be just fine with a water repellant sealer. What do I want my stone to look like after sealing it? Do I want a low gloss or high gloss stone surface?Penetrating sealers will not alter the color of your stone while a topical sealer may.
Natural Stone maintenance is BASIC. It's just keeping your stone clean and free from dirt, maintaining the finish, and if ever necessary, repairing or replacing any damaged stone. In the articles below, you'll find hints, tips, and useful information on Natural Stone and Granite care. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Natural Stone Maintenance & Granite Care When it comes to stone care, one of the most important things you can do to minimize and simplify your stone maintenance is to make sure that you select the right stone and finish for your intended application. If an improperly selected stone is installed, you may be unhappy in the future with the extra care, repair, and maintenance involved. If you were to select an Onyx for your kitchen countertops, your Natural Stone care and repair could be an absolute nightmare! The reason? Onyx is delicate, susceptible to etching, and a softer stone which scratches. Your kitchen countertops are generally considered a high traffic area and you probably don't want to tip toe around your kitchen countertops. They are meant to be used! Onyx Marble is beautiful but best used in a lower traffic area. Look at it and enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of it; but contact with it should be more infrequent than in a heavily used kitchen area. If you're unsure as to which stone would work best for your project, learn basic stone information here. Once you've selected your stone and had it installed, take care of it. How do you care for granite countertops and natural stone? Natural stone and granite care isn't a complicated chore. Stone care is a little knowledge and a lot of common sense.
The classic aged look of tumbled stone will warm your home. A polished or honed travertine becomes a bit more formal but yet, it's still inviting. The soft earthy hues of this natural stone truly keep it in tune with nature. Travertine stone is a form of limestone. It often forms near hot bubbly mineral rich springs. Gas bubbles become trapped and create a pitted surface on the stone. These pitted surfaces can be filled with an epoxy or dust resin. Filling the small holes and pits gives the travertine a more finished look. A refined beauty. The stone surface can also be left in its natural state with the small holes and pits unfilled. This is a warmer aged look which will acquire a beautiful patina over time. Leaving the stone unfilled will affect the durability. It will stain and attract dirt much easier than a filled travertine. This is a calcareous stone. It is highly reactive to the acids found in lemons, vinegar, alcohol, etc. These acids will etch the stone by leaving marks and rings. Similar to limestone, travertine also varies in hardness, density, and porosity. Some travertine stones are harder than others. It is usually a more porous stone than marble and needs to be sealed. If left untreated it will soak up liquids and water. This is also a softer natural stone. It will scratch. It's not as soft as soapstone but it can't compete with the hardness of granite. Travertine comes in all different sizes, from small mosaics, to 36"x36" tiles, to large heavy slabs. Travertine colors are in warm earthy tones. From the softest ivories to the palest creams. Rich shades of golden honey and silvery greens to deep mocha browns. Travertine never appears as one solid color. The color tones vary and veins or bands of contrasting color run throughout the stone. No two stones or tiles are alike. If you plan to tile with travertine, lay out all the tiles first. This will help with the flow of color and veining. It will give you a feel for the stone. What is travertine stone used for? It is used for interior walls such as backsplashes. There are travertine sinks, floors, mosaic tiles, statuary, fireplace surrounds, tub surrounds, vanities, and end tables. It's also used for accessories such as light switch plates, trim, vases, and coasters. Travertine can be used for countertops but it's not recommended. It scratches, stains, and absorbs liquids easier than other natural stones. If you plan to use travertine for your countertop, make sure it is a harder and less porous stone. It works well for flooring and smaller spaces. This stone seems to open up small areas and makes them feel more spacious and airy. The surface finishes for travertine stone vary. Not all travertines are capable of the polished/high gloss finish. Only the harder types. This stone will never achieve the same glossy finish as a granite will. A honed finish is the most popular type of finish. It's not a shiny and reflective finish. More of a matte or a sheen finish. Tumbled travertine makes the stone appear scuffed, weathered , or aged. Talk to your fabricator/installer about the different types of finishes they may provide. Creating a unique look with travertine stone is simple. Mix and match with other natural stones for a more dramatic look and feel. Or, use it alone for sheer simplicity. This natural stone will give you years of beauty to enjoy. Using travertine stone is only limited by your imagination and a little common sense.
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Riven Finish: A natural untouched finish to the stone.
Chipped Edge: This finish gives the edge of the stone a chipped and uneven appearance.
Honed Stone: A process of flattening the surface of the stone to give a flat low sheen finish. This process can mute the final colours of the stone.
Filled Finish: Minor imperfections in the surface of the stone are pre filled with resin.
Unfilled Stone: Minor imperfections in the stone are left unfilled and natural looking.
Tumbled Stone: This process is used to give an aged/worn look to the stone.
Brushed Finish: This process creates a smooth but undulated surface by use of mechanical scabbler.
Polished Finish: This process is achieved by using fine abrasives to flatten the surface of the stone to give a very reflective, highly polished finish.
Worn Edge: This process is achieved by hand finishing the edges of the stone to produce an uneven cambered edge.
Category: Stone Care Products
The use of natural stone in both residential and commercial environments has increased dramatically over the past ten years. Prior to this, polished marble was the primary stone utilized in interior areas. Today, numerous stones are used. What type of natural stone do you have inside your home, on your patios, entrys or in your exterior landscaping? Stone cladding today ranges from the very dense, low porosity stones such as granite to high porosity (very absorbent) stones such as sandstone. Surface textures also vary, ranging from very rough, textured surfaces such as cleft slate and flamed-finished granite to polished surfaces often found on marble and granite surfaces. Although natural stone provides an excellent upgrade from many of today’s synthetic alternatives, it must still be recognized that it is neither maintenance free or stain proof. Grout, even latex-modified, is also very porous and subject to sub-surface staining if not properly protected and maintained. Here are some excellent tips that will help insure the ongoing beauty, long life, cleanliness and slip resistance of your stone installation:
Do: Seal your stone and grout installation to improve the stain resistance and ease the ongoing maintenance. It is very important that the proper sealer be used based on the type of stone, surface finish and location. A good rule of thumb is that with denser stone, including polished surfaces, is that only penetrating–type sealers should be used. If you have a stone with a very porous (absorbent) or textured surface such as slate or sandstone, then you have an option of using a “coating” or surface sealer that will generally provide a degree of surface sheen or a penetrating-type sealer that will leave a completely natural look. Be careful when selecting coating-type sealers on exterior areas as many of the coating-type sealers currently available do not work well in exposed exterior environments.
Don’t: Allow liquid contaminants to stand indefinitely on stone and grout surfaces, even if they are sealed. It is important to remove liquid contaminants as soon as possible. They will very quickly penetrate into unsealed stone and grout surfaces, making them difficult to extract, and eventually seep into even sealed surfaces if allowed to dwell for extended periods of time. A sealer should be viewed as providing reaction time to remove the contaminant before it penetrates and stains the stone or grout.
Don’t: Directly wipe a liquid contaminant off the stone or grout surface. This will simply cause the stain to be spread over a larger area, and even drive the contaminant deeper into the stone or grout, especially if unsealed.
Do: Quickly utilize an absorbent paper towel or rag to blot up any liquid contaminant remaining wet on the surface before scrubbing the surface with a proper cleaner.
Don’t: Use acidic cleaners for routine stone maintenance. Although many stones are acid resistant, there are many stones (most noteworthy – Marble), which are sensitive to acids. Even a light solution of vinegar and water will quickly etch and dull polished marble surfaces. It is also important to note that acidic cleaners do not function as degreasers, but work by chemically attacking cement and calcium found in grout and some varieties of stone, thus damaging the structural integrity of the grout and stone.
Do: Use neutral PH cleaners for everyday routine cleaning of stone and grout surfaces. In situations where periodic heavy duty cleaning is needed, use an alkaline (high PH) cleaner. These are excellent degreasers, working well on grout and most stone surfaces without chemically damaging these surfaces. It is recommended that whatever cleaner is used on fine polished marble, that it is always first tested to insure that it does not dull the polished surface.
Don’t: Clean textured stone surfaces and grout using only a mop. Highly textured or uneven surfaces such a flamed granite, slate and sanded grout is rough finished and tends to grip and hold surface contaminants. A simple moping is not going to create sufficient surface agitation to release these clinging contaminants.
Do: After applying a neutral PH or high alkaline cleaner, utilize a scrubbrush to create sufficient surface agitation to release the surface contaminants so they can be easily removed in the rinsing process.
Don’t: Wet mop polished stone surfaces, allowing the polished surface to surface dry as the water evaporates. This will allow for eventual mineral buildup to occur which will dull high polished finishes.
Do: Use absorbent paper or cotton towels to polish dry any water on the polished surface. This will eliminate the dulling mineral deposits that would be left behind if the water is left to naturally evaporate. This is also important in wet areas such as showers, where polished stone surfaces should be towel dried after use so as to eliminate eventual buildup of mineral-hard water deposits.
Don’t: Just pick up any cleaner from your local grocery stone and use to clean your stone and grout. You would be surprised how many cleaners contain at least trace amounts of acid that can cause quick or eventual damage to fine stone and grout. Most stone and ceramic tile outlets carry cleaners that are specially designed to properly care for these fine surfaces.
Do: Contact the product manufacturer if you have any questions about their product and its intended use. Manufacturers of these products should have toll free numbers and would encourage phone inquiries should there be any questions about their products.
The answer is simple. If you don't have to seal your stone, don't. Before sealing or selecting natural stone and granite sealers, consider these things: Do I even need to seal it? How do I know? Place several drops of water on the surface of the stone and see how long it takes for the water to completely disappear. If the water absorbs into the stone under one minute, it is very porous; up to 3-4 minutes, still consider it porous. If the water beads on the surface or if it is slowly absorbed into the stone, it can be considered as having a lower porosity. A polished surface finish will be less absorbent than an honed finish. Where is my stone located and what will it be exposed to? A kitchen countertop that is used daily will need a sealer that is oil repellant. A seldom used bathroom on the other hand, will be just fine with a water repellant sealer. What do I want my stone to look like after sealing it? Do I want a low gloss or high gloss stone surface?Penetrating sealers will not alter the color of your stone while a topical sealer may.
Natural Stone maintenance is BASIC. It's just keeping your stone clean and free from dirt, maintaining the finish, and if ever necessary, repairing or replacing any damaged stone. In the articles below, you'll find hints, tips, and useful information on Natural Stone and Granite care. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Natural Stone Maintenance & Granite Care When it comes to stone care, one of the most important things you can do to minimize and simplify your stone maintenance is to make sure that you select the right stone and finish for your intended application. If an improperly selected stone is installed, you may be unhappy in the future with the extra care, repair, and maintenance involved. If you were to select an Onyx for your kitchen countertops, your Natural Stone care and repair could be an absolute nightmare! The reason? Onyx is delicate, susceptible to etching, and a softer stone which scratches. Your kitchen countertops are generally considered a high traffic area and you probably don't want to tip toe around your kitchen countertops. They are meant to be used! Onyx Marble is beautiful but best used in a lower traffic area. Look at it and enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of it; but contact with it should be more infrequent than in a heavily used kitchen area. If you're unsure as to which stone would work best for your project, learn basic stone information here. Once you've selected your stone and had it installed, take care of it. How do you care for granite countertops and natural stone? Natural stone and granite care isn't a complicated chore. Stone care is a little knowledge and a lot of common sense.
The classic aged look of tumbled stone will warm your home. A polished or honed travertine becomes a bit more formal but yet, it's still inviting. The soft earthy hues of this natural stone truly keep it in tune with nature. Travertine stone is a form of limestone. It often forms near hot bubbly mineral rich springs. Gas bubbles become trapped and create a pitted surface on the stone. These pitted surfaces can be filled with an epoxy or dust resin. Filling the small holes and pits gives the travertine a more finished look. A refined beauty. The stone surface can also be left in its natural state with the small holes and pits unfilled. This is a warmer aged look which will acquire a beautiful patina over time. Leaving the stone unfilled will affect the durability. It will stain and attract dirt much easier than a filled travertine. This is a calcareous stone. It is highly reactive to the acids found in lemons, vinegar, alcohol, etc. These acids will etch the stone by leaving marks and rings. Similar to limestone, travertine also varies in hardness, density, and porosity. Some travertine stones are harder than others. It is usually a more porous stone than marble and needs to be sealed. If left untreated it will soak up liquids and water. This is also a softer natural stone. It will scratch. It's not as soft as soapstone but it can't compete with the hardness of granite. Travertine comes in all different sizes, from small mosaics, to 36"x36" tiles, to large heavy slabs. Travertine colors are in warm earthy tones. From the softest ivories to the palest creams. Rich shades of golden honey and silvery greens to deep mocha browns. Travertine never appears as one solid color. The color tones vary and veins or bands of contrasting color run throughout the stone. No two stones or tiles are alike. If you plan to tile with travertine, lay out all the tiles first. This will help with the flow of color and veining. It will give you a feel for the stone. What is travertine stone used for? It is used for interior walls such as backsplashes. There are travertine sinks, floors, mosaic tiles, statuary, fireplace surrounds, tub surrounds, vanities, and end tables. It's also used for accessories such as light switch plates, trim, vases, and coasters. Travertine can be used for countertops but it's not recommended. It scratches, stains, and absorbs liquids easier than other natural stones. If you plan to use travertine for your countertop, make sure it is a harder and less porous stone. It works well for flooring and smaller spaces. This stone seems to open up small areas and makes them feel more spacious and airy. The surface finishes for travertine stone vary. Not all travertines are capable of the polished/high gloss finish. Only the harder types. This stone will never achieve the same glossy finish as a granite will. A honed finish is the most popular type of finish. It's not a shiny and reflective finish. More of a matte or a sheen finish. Tumbled travertine makes the stone appear scuffed, weathered , or aged. Talk to your fabricator/installer about the different types of finishes they may provide. Creating a unique look with travertine stone is simple. Mix and match with other natural stones for a more dramatic look and feel. Or, use it alone for sheer simplicity. This natural stone will give you years of beauty to enjoy. Using travertine stone is only limited by your imagination and a little common sense.
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