Natural stone is porous, which makes it vulnerable to staining and potential corrosion. Oils and other liquids can penetrate beneath the surface, leaving stains that are nearly impossible to remove. A sealant protects the stone from such penetration, which greatly assists cleaning and maintenance. Stone sealers are either topical or penetrating, and either water-based or solvent-based.
A topical sealer forms a non-breathable barrier that bonds to the surface of the stone. It alters the look of the stone, enhancing the surface appearance with a “wet look”. A topical sealer wears off under foot traffic and deteriorates under solar radiation. Depending on conditions, a topical sealant should be reapplied every 2 to 5 years.
A penetrating sealer descends into the capillaries of the stone, and repels other liquids from being absorbed. It lasts longer than a topical sealer and does not alter the appearance of the stone. A high quality penetrating sealer should effectively protect stone and concrete surfaces for many years.
Terrazzo & Stone stocks both topical and penetrating sealers of various grades and gloss finishes. We also sell stone cleaners that work well in conjunction with these and other sealants. Some of these can be viewed in the images below. More products can be found in the links to our suppliers:
GST International
Dry-Treat
TechniSoil
