Stone has long been admired as one of the most durable and beautiful materials for flooring. Popular choices for natural stone flooring include marble, granite, travertine, limestone and slate. But over time, even the hardiest stone floor will be damaged by daily wear and tear.
So, how do you know if your stone floor needs to be restored?
The most common signs a floor is in need of restoration are loss of shine, discoloration, stains, chips and cracks.
Maintaining a stone floor can be a complex process. How do you know if your floor is damaged enough to require restoration? And should it be restored or fully replaced? Continue reading to learn more about stone floors and the benefits of restoration over replacement.
Dull Appearance
The most common sign that a stone floor is in trouble is a lack of shine on the polished surface. Stone floors are dulled through a variety of factors. Excessive sun exposure will fade the color and tint of stone and make natural patterns less visible. Heavy foot traffic erodes the polished surface of stone floors and forces grit and dirt particles into the floor. Continued exposure to spills, dirt and acidic substances will also yellow and discolor stone floors.
Of course, this issue only applies to floors that originally had a glossy reflective appearance. Floors with a coarse textured finish, sometimes called honed stone, were never intended to have a shiny polished look. Detecting discoloration and wear on honed floors like flagstone and travertine tiles is more difficult. But honed floors can and do need to be restored just like polished floors.
Stains
Stains on a stone floor which are still visible after multiple cleanings are another sign it may be time for restoration. Depending on the severity, stains may be only slightly noticeable, or very large white or dark blotches or rings that block out the natural grain and pattern of the stone.
Any substance can potentially stain floors if left untreated, but acidic materials are especially damaging. Acid produces etching in most natural stones. Etching is a specific kind of chemical discoloration that results from acidic substances soaking into the surface of the stone.
Etching is most common on kitchen floors and other areas prone to spills of acidic liquids like coffee, juice, and certain household cleaners. Porous natural stones like marble and granite are the most susceptible to etching.
Chips and Cracks
Scratches, cracks and chips on the surface of a stone floor are another signal it may need restoration. Stone floors are installed with a protective sealant that guards against chemical and physical damage. But as the sealant erodes over time, liquids and small dirt particles may penetrate the surface and lead to warping, pitting and cracks.
Cracks and chips are most common in outdoor flooring tiles which are exposed to the elements, especially in areas with harsh winters.
Benefits of Restoring Stone Floors
Restoring a stone floor rather than replacing it entirely has many benefits. The main benefit of restoration is the significantly lower cost. Restoring natural stone floors means stripping and reapplying a sealant coat to the floor. Especially bad floors may also need to be ground down and buffed to level the surface before being resealed.
Compare this to the process of replacement, which requires tearing out the entire floor and measuring for new cuts of stone to be installed. Although both processes are an investment, replacement generally costs more, sometimes three times as much.
Additionally, restoration can change the color and tint of an existing stone floor, depending the sealant that is used.
Summary
Whether your floor suffers from discoloration, cracks or stains, restoration is almost always a better solution than costly replacement. Some experts recommend resealing stone floors ever 12-18 months, while others say every three to five years.
Ultimately, restoration depends on the type of stone, its current condition, and the amount of foot traffic it receives. In just a few hours’ time, restoration can breathe life into an aging or faded stone floor by fixing cracks and pits and returning its glossy finish.
Restore-A Floor is a Michigan based stone floor and tile restoration company that can tackle any stone floor dilemma with amazing results that last. This is because our stone refinishing techniques and grout cleaning methods are unique and customized to every type of stone and tile available using superior industry products. This ensures floors, countertops, and walls can look new again so you can enjoy the natural appeal of your stone and be glad you had them restored. Call to set up a Free Estimate before e the Holiday rush begins!