Sealing

All natural stone is porous to some degree. If not properly treated with a protective sealer, water, oils and other liquids can penetrate the stone. The same is true with the grout surrounding tile. The good news is that once treated with a protective sealer, natural stone, tile, masonry and grout is ready for care free, everyday use.

Sealing stone protects it from attracting and accumulating dirt and preserves its pristine beauty for years. You will need to periodically check the sealer for signs of wear, and re-seal if necessary. You can choose from many types of sealers, depending on your needs and preferences, but the two most popular and effective sealers are:

Topical sealers, made from natural wax, acrylic and other plastic compounds, create a film coating, protecting your stone from oil, water and contaminants.

Impregnators, or siloxane sealers, protect against oil or water spillages. They permeate the stone, and are breathable, allowing vapor transmission freely. Ideal for kitchen countertops, provided they are food-friendly, these long life sealers typically consist of siloxane or flouropolymers. They’re highly effective outdoors, as they protect your stone from the ravages of weathering and high humidity and are well-priced.

Try to avoid using coatings like acrylics, varnishes, lacquers on natural stone as they compromise the aesthetics of natural stone while affording few benefits.

Natural stone sealed on left side and unsealed on the right side, demonstrating the protection against staining.

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