Monday 9 July 2012

Granite and Marble Sealer

Granite and marble are certainly two of the most beautiful materials in construction, architecture, and interior design. Their beauty adds value to the place and gives that place elegance and sophistication. An ordinary house can adopt the feel of a palace due to marble or granite as the primary cladding material. An ordinary kitchen suddenly becomes imposing with marble or granite counter tops. Banks use granite counter tops to add to the interior's sophistication.

Protecting granite and marble from the elements is necessary to maintain the beauty of such finishing materials. That is why a granite sealer is essential for a person working with such materials. What does a marble sealer do? The material not only protects marble and granite, but also protects concrete, natural stone, reconstituted stone, and pressed pavers. A granite and marble sealer also protects such materials from stain. This is very crucial especially for kitchens as such a room is home to abrasive chemicals like detergents, bleaches, and vinegar.

What then does a penetrating/impregnating granite sealer do? One can use a surface granite sealer, but must use an impregnator to penetrate below the stone's surface. This is done by coating the minerals below the stone surface or by depositing solid particles in the stones' pores. A properly applied marble sealer will not affect the stone's appearance. An impregnator is essential for a smooth and polished surface as most sealers can be easily abraded and will not bond.

In the stone industry, penetrating/impregnating is oftentimes confused with one another. An impregnator is used to protect the granite's or marble's insides from staining. The impregnator prevents acid from seeping into the stone, but not the top surface. Thus, a surface marble sealer must still be applied. Sealers protect the surface and better resist stains. However, sealers change the appearance (the color may be darker, but the composition will remain the same) and require frequent reapplication and stripping.

A typical granite and marble sealer offers maximum stain protection. It is non-fim forming and protects against moisture damage. It offers high impregnation depth and it repels water totally. It also minimizes efflorescence and there are generally no visible changes in the surface. Some sealers are designed specifically for high-level protection of marble, granite, and other high-density surfaces; and other high-traffic areas like patios and foyers, driveways, and bathrooms. Other sealers protect against grease/oil around splashbacks, benchtops, and around barbecues.

Other advantages of sealers are that they repel graffiti, stains, and food products - thus, it makes cleaning easier. They also perform well in all environments and are unaffected by ultraviolet light. Sealers also minimize mildew and mold growth and freeze-thaw spalling. They also block chloride ions and salts. Sealers also protect against wear and weathering and withstand contact with alkaline environments and cement-based materials.

Most companies provide performance warranties for a few years whenever they are tasked to apply the sealer. Granite and marble do not come cheap. Being porous materials, they are prone to wear, tear, and environmental elements; thus, a good granite and marble sealer is essential to protect such materials. After all, marble and granite add greatly to the exterior and interior of the building.


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