New Installation

Sealing is strongly recommended for newly installed marble and other natural stone to provide maximum below surface stain protection. Be careful to select a high quality sealer tp protect your natural stone.

Pre-Grout Sealing
A non-sanded grout is strongly recommended for natural stone installations due to the narrow grout joints customarily preferred. This type of grout has very fine particles of cement, polymers, and color pigments that can penetrate the microscopic pores of the stone surface where they become trapped and appear as a stain on the stone. Therefore, all travertine, slate, tumbled stone, and honed/flamed/unpolished granite should be sealed prior to the grouting process to protect them from staining. The application of a good quality sealer should be used as a pre-grout sealer and applied again as the final sealing process once the installation is finished.

Sealing
A premium natural look penetrating/impregnating sealer is the normal choice on polished or honed marble, limestone, granite, or where the natural color of slate is desired. A stone enhancer sealer is often used on tumbled, antique stones, or on slate where a darker, enriched, or highlighted character is desired. When choosing either one of these two types of sealers, make sure the brand you have chosen is formulated to provide maximum stain protection for stone products. Stone products should be tested periodically to insure the sealer is working effectively.

Penetrating/impregnating stone sealers are a no-sheen, natural look sealer that can be water-based or solvent-based, good for interior and exterior applications. Most quality sealers of this type are rated to protect the stone a minimum of 10 years.

Stone enhancer sealers are also a no-sheen, penetrating/impregnating sealer that is formulated to darken, enrich, and highlight the natural color and beauty of tumbled, antique, or slate products. They will rejuvenate and improve the appearance of worn and weathered stone. However, they will also darken the color of grout joints. They are, generally, suitable for interior or exterior use, and rated to protect the stone a minimum of 3 years.

Finishing
A stone floor finish should be applied to a polished natural stone floor only. This type of product will help enhance the shine and provide a protective coating for "soft" or polished marbles. Verify the finish is a wax-type finish designed to add luster and enhance the beauty of sealed and polished natural stone only. A topical finish may change the appearance and performance of your stone, so always test a small area first. Application of topical sealer or wax should never be done as an attempt to add a shine to a honed, scratched, or non-polished stone product. This will only create a maintanence and/or slip resistance problem. Consult the manufacturer of any surface-altering products for more detailed information about the impact of its specific product on safety, maintenance, or appearance of your stone.

Warning To Customers
Dal-Tile does not manufacture installation products or tile cleaning/maintenance products. Dal-Tile provides the information contained herein to its customers as an information source only. The products identified herein may have chemicals that cause reactions in some individuals. Dal-Tile strongly recommends the use of safety glasses, respirators (masks) and gloves in handling any materials that contain chemicals. Dal-Tile, in keeping with its Healthy Planet initiative, recommends the proper disposal of any scrap tile/stone, installation and/or maintenance products discussed herein. Please contact any installation product manufacturer directly, PRIOR to usage, to obtain proper handling instructions, application instruction and warnings concerning potential health hazards for any product contemplated for use. Dal-Tile also strongly recommends testing a small area PRIOR to usage of any installation/tile cleaning/maintenance product to determine whether the product serves its intended purpose.

Edge Treatments With the right edge detail, your slab is sure to make a striking and lasting impression.

Stone Usage Guide Use our extensive guide to help you choose the correct stone for your project.

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