What is Stone Sealing? And Why is it Necessary for my Natural Kitchen Benchtop?
Although natural stone is a popular benchtop material, they are more delicate than manufactured stones, so natural stone owners need to take special care to ensure their kitchen benchtops endure as long as possible. You may preserve your stone surfaces in various methods, but stone sealing is one of the most effective.
As leading stone fabricators, Made in Stone deal with various reputable stone suppliers in Sydney, so we understand that it’s easy to become overwhelmed with all the information available regarding different types of stone sealers and how to apply them. Therefore, here’s our expert stone suppliers guide to why sealing your stone surfaces is so important.
What is the Purpose of a Stone Sealer?
A sealer is a stain-resistant solution used on a stone’s surface to protect it from liquids and oils. Spills happen, no matter how careful you are, and even when promptly cleaned up, some liquids may seep through and harm your stone. Instead, sealing adds an extra layer of protection to your stone surfaces by resisting moisture.
Although certain natural stones are more porous or delicate than others, all natural stone is prone to etching and stains. That’s why it’s crucial to safeguard your natural stone with sealing, especially kitchen benchtops and bar tops which are more prone to be harmed if something is spilt on them.
Sealing preserves your natural stone tops, making them etch and stain-resistant, whether you’ve had them for a long time and it’s time to reseal or the builders have just installed your new stone.
Do All Types of Stone Benchtops Require a Sealer?
- Natural Stones
Natural stones such as Marble Benchtops, Limestone, Travertine, and Onyx, definitely require sealing. If they are not sealed, natural and porous stones like these might get irreparably damaged over time.
- Granite
Although granite benchtops are not as porous as the softer stones just mentioned, granite stone can still discolour if exposed to oils and soaps regularly, so they will benefit from sealing.
- Engineered stone
Engineered stone benchtops from Caesarstone, Essastone, Quantum Quartz, Silestone etc., come with a factory seal. Thus, they don’t need to be sealed according to the manufacturer’s guarantee. If discolouration occurs, speak with your stone suppliers about a remedy.
What Sealer Should I Use?
Since there are hundreds of sealers available in the marketplace, with each product producing different results, it’s a good idea to speak to professional stone suppliers or Made in Stone staff about which sealer you should use for your specific surface.
The best sealer for your stone will be determined by its porosity, acidity, and a variety of other criteria. You may either purchase a stone sealer from trusted stone suppliers Sydney and apply it yourself or hire professional stone fabricators like Made in Stone to seal your natural stone surfaces.
Here are some examples of popular sealers you can source from a typical stone supplier Sydney:
- Penetrating sealers
Penetrating sealers are the most efficient liquid sealers for preventing discolouration on natural marble benchtops, limestone, travertine, onyx, and granite. A penetrating sealer works by soaking deep into the pores of the stone tabletop and filling the crevices. The sealer’s molecules make a strong bind with the stone’s minerals, forming an efficient barrier.
- Water-based sealant
Porous stone benchtops with a low sheen, honed finish, such as marble benchtops, travertine, onyx, and limestone, absorb a water-based sealant easily.
- Solvent-based sealant
On high-gloss, polished stone benchtops, a solvent-based sealer is more effective. A high-gloss stone benchtop surface will always be more durable than a honed, matt finish.
When Is It Necessary to Reseal a Stone Benchtop?
Made in Stone works with a diverse range of trusted marble suppliers Sydney, and one of the most crucial care tips we always inform our clients is that natural stone, such as granite and marble benchtops, need to be resealed regularly!
However, the amount of required time it takes to reseal a stone benchtop is entirely dependent on the type of stone you have and how it is utilised. For example, some porous stones may require resealing every three months – such as marble benchtops – while others may last years without needing a fresh layer of sealer.
Sealer is simple to apply, so you may buy a stone sealer from trusted stone suppliers Sydney and apply it yourself or hire a professional to do so for you.
There’s an easy stone supplier method to tell if your natural stone tabletop needs resealing. Simply pour some water on your stone top and observe the results. Your sealer is still performing its job if water pools on top of the stone. Although to avoid stains, a new layer of sealer should be applied if water enters the stone.
Why is it Important to Source Sealers from Reputable Suppliers?
There are a variety of natural stone sealers on the stone suppliers market; some are better than others at protecting your stone, so do your homework to choose the finest sealer for your stone. Some sealers require more frequent resealing than others; however, this depends entirely on the type of stone and the amount of wear your stone receives.
However, Made in Stone has strong connections with trustful stone suppliers all over Sydney, so you will never have to hesitate about the quality of our products. Made in Stone only advises professional-grade penetrating sealers that will not peel, flake, or turn yellow like some other surface coatings.
What is The Best Way to Clean Your Natural Stone Slab?
Warm water and a little detergent can be used to clean the surface of your stone. Alternatively, trustful stone suppliers Sydney will stock speciality formulated soap for natural stone.
Check the list of contents before cleaning on your natural stone to be sure it doesn’t contain vinegar, lemon (or any citrous compounds), or other acids since they might ruin the surface. To verify that any new cleansers are compatible with your stone, try them in a tiny, inconspicuous area such as under the benchtop.
Use a delicate cloth to apply the cleanser to the surface; avoid using anything abrasive or harsh. A tiny quantity of cleaning goes a long way, so use it sparingly. If you use too much soap or cleaner, streaks or a build-up of cleaner might appear, producing a film.
With Made in Stone’s network of trusted marble suppliers Sydney, we know that everyone utilises their kitchens differently, so depending on how often you use your kitchen benchtop, a liquid stone wax can be applied to the surface every 3-6 months. Apply the wax with a soft cloth and work it into the surface until it vanishes, similar to how you would wax your vehicle.
Ready to Install Your Next Kitchen Benchtop?
Your stone is an investment, so it’s only natural that you want to protect it and keep it looking good for as long as possible. Sealing your stone is a simple approach to help decrease the chance of damage and preserve its look for a long time.
If you need advice on installing a new kitchen island or new kitchen benchtops, consider selecting a stone kitchen benchtop from Made in Stone – Sydney’s leading stone fabricator. Contact Made in Stone today on (02) 9756 4599 or get a FREE kitchen benchtop quote online!
With over 25 years of industry experience, you will only get the highest quality Engineered Stones, Caesarstone, Silestone Calacatta Gold, Natural Stones, Marble Benchtops, Porcelain Materials and Granite kitchen benchtops Sydney, all from Made in Stone. So, call us today and ask us about our wide range of offcuts to choose from to help save some $$ in your renovations.
As a local Sydney stonemason, we cater to any customer requirement, whether you need a stone installation for your kitchen benchtop, bathroom vanity top, bar, outdoor barbecue area, fireplace, columns, etc. Our team are available to assist you. So, speak to the stone experts today!