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STONE CARE: |
Stone is a natural product and simple care & maintenance will keep it looking beautiful. Here are some recommendations for routine care and cleaning.
Cleaning Procedures & Recommendations
Floor Surfaces
Interior floors should be cleaned frequently using a non-treated dry dust mop. Sand dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.
Other Surfaces
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores or from your stone dealer) or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.
Bath and Other Wet Areas
In the bath or other wet areas, using a squeegee after each use can minimize soap scum. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.
Vanity Top Surfaces
Vanity tops may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. Check with your installer for recommendations. A good quality marble wax or non-yellowing automobile paste wax can be applied to minimize water spotting.
Food Preparation Areas
In food preparation areas, the stone may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. Check with your installer for recommendations. If a sealer is applied, be sure that it is non-toxic and safe for use on food preparation surfaces. If there are questions, check with the sealer manufacturer.
Outdoor Pool & Patio Areas
In outdoor pool, patio or hot tub areas, flush with clear water and use a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.
Do's and Don'ts
Do dust mop floors frequently
Do clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap
Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing
Do blot up spills immediately
Do protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats
Don't use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces
Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners
Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers
Don't mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas
Precautions:
Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the stone surface
Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.
Call your professional stone supplier, installer or restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to treat.
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INDUSTRY TERMS, DEFINITIONS & COMMON USES: |
Stone Identification
Natural stone is classified into two general categories: siliceous stone and calcareous stone.
Siliceous Stones - Siliceous stones are granite, quartz-based stone, serpentine, slate and soapstone. They are durable and easy to maintain under normal conditions of use.
Calcareous Stones - Calcareous stones are limestone's, marble, onyx and travertine. Neutral cleansers (ph7) are recommended. These stones are also durable, but more sensitive to acids and strong alkaline compounds.
Travertine - Travertine marble is a variety of limestone formed in pools by the slow precipitation of hot, mineral-rich spring water. The "holes" characteristics of travertine were created when carbon dioxide bubbles were trapped as the stone was being formed. Although the classic travertine's are recognizable by their homogenous ecru to dark colors, dark reds are available to dark brown veining.
Most common uses:
Interior and exterior wall cladding, interior and exterior paving, statuary, curbing
Onyx - Onyx marble is a translucent, layered calcite stone in pastel shades. It is typically formed in caves as stalactites and stalagmites by the slow precipitation of cold, mineral-rich water.
Most common uses:
Interior wall covering. Can be used on the exterior in warm environments, tabletops, very light duty residential flooring, and Novelty items
Limestone - limestone is widely used as a building stone because it is readily available and easy to work with. It is a sedimentary stone, layered and formed from the skeletons and shells of sea creatures that lived in vast, warm seas millions of years ago. Much domestic limestone is gray to buff in color, while some pastel shades of yellow to pink are available. Imported limestone's are available in colors ranging from light beige to dark brown, red and black. When the mineral dolomite is present, it makes the limestone harder and capable of being polished in the same manner as metamorphic marble.
Most common uses:
Interior and exterior wall cladding, interior and exterior paving, limited counter top use
Quartz-Based - quartz-Based stones vary widely in color because of different materials and clays contained within the stone. These stones can be found in varying hues of light gray, yellow, green and red. (The dark, reddish-brown "brownstone" was widely used in building construction in the northeastern United States and Canada in the early 1900s.) They may be either sedimentary in formation (such as the sandstones, bluestones and brownstones) or metamorphic (as in quartzite that is formed in exceedingly hard layers)
Most common uses:
Interior and exterior wall cladding, interior and exterior paving
Soapstone - Soapstone is a metamorphosed, easily worked igneous stone characterized by a "soapy" feeling when touched. Colors range from dark gray to bluish or greenish gray. Its heat retention qualities make it an ideal cladding for freestanding coal or wood-fired room heaters. Soapstone is also chemical, stain and weather-resistant, and is useful for sinks and laboratory tops as well as general building purposes.
Most common uses:
Chemistry and fire resistant work surfaces, fireplace facings & inner hearths, where heat is an issue
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HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT STONE: |
You have many options when it comes to beautiful, long-lasting natural stones for your home's interior and exterior: Granite, marble, slate, quartz-based stone, and limestone, just to name a few. Choosing a natural stone for your home is a very personal decision, much like selecting wallpaper or artwork.
While there are scores of natural stones to consider, some are better suited than others to particular uses in and around the home. This guide, along with your architect and stone contractor, can help you explore your options and offer guidance on the right stone for the right home project.
Factors to Consider in Selecting a Natural Stone:
Color
Natural stones are available in a beautiful spectrum of colors. Colors in granite and marble, for instance, can range from soft beiges and pinks and classic black-and-whites to rich corals, greens, and multi-colors. Marble traditionally features swirls and "veins" of colors, while granite has a flecked or pebbled appearance.
Unlike the repetitive sameness of materials produced by machine or assembly line, natural stone's naturally varied appearance has wonderful character and creates a one-of-a-kind effect everywhere it is used.
Finish
Natural stone can be polished, honed, or flamed for a distinct appearance:
- A polished finish has a glossy surface that reflects light and emphasizes the color and marking of the stone. This finish is typically used on walls, furniture tops, and floor tiles.
- A honed finish is a satin-smooth surface with relatively little light reflection. It is generally preferred for floors, stair treads, thresholds, and other areas where heavy traffic will wear off a polished finish.
- A flamed finish is a rough-textured surface used frequently on granite floor tiles.
Usage
The harder the stone, the more it resists abrasion. One measure of a natural stone's strength is its Measurement of Hardness (MOH) rating; on which 1 is the softest and 10 is the hardest. On the MOH scale, most marbles rate "3" and quartz-based granites rate "7." Using a softer stone simply requires the homeowner to use gentler cleansers and more frequent dusting to prevent scratching.
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EDGES SELECTION: |
These are the most popular edges for bathrooms, kitchens and fireplaces. Our basic price includes the Standard edges. Additional cost may apply to Upgrade edges.
Standard Edges
Upgrade Edges
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