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Monday, August 29, 2016
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Monday, August 8, 2016
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Saturday, August 6, 2016
What is the Best Natural Stone Floor
When making a decision on which natural stone flooring is best for your needs and wants, doing as much research on each one is route to go. Each stone is different and unique in its own way, and knowing the differences and figuring out if it’s the right one for you is important.
When hearing porosity, this is referring to the size and amount of pores that is within the stone. This affects the strength of the stone as well as how stain resistance it naturally is. If you are looking to install natural stone in your kitchen, bathroom, or even mudroom that are all high traffic areas, you will need to consider a stone that is hard and dense that is nonporous like slate or granite.
You will find that the softer and more porous stones like limestone, marble, and travertine do require regular applications of sealant as well as frequent cleaning that helps prevent any staining or pitting to happen.
You will find that all natural stones come in a large variety of colors and even patterns. When looking for a specific color or design, keep in mind that how rare the color or design is, the higher in cost it would be. Let’s learn a bit more about each different natural stone tile.
Limestone has a natural and earthy appearance due to it being formed from sedimentary materials such as shells and coral. This is a stone that when it is cut from the same slab, there is little color variation from tile to tile. Its surface can be sanded down to give a refined look, or perfectly smooth, or even a machine-tumbled type worn look.
This is one stone that you can use in a room that is prone to have liquids or solid foods spilled on it that may contain acid, though you will need to have it sealed in order to make sure it lasts for years to come.
Slate is a natural stone that has rustic and classic look that is available in geometric pieces or irregular shapes. Its usual colors are soft reds, dark grays, and medium greens.
Granite is available in so many different varieties of colors and designs. It is a highly popular choice when it comes to bathrooms and kitchens, mainly due to it being a slip-resistant tile.
Marble is a rather porous stone that is a classic choice for those formal spaces within your home. It is best used in spaces that are not high traffic areas as it can be easily scratched. The tiles come in many different colors, though this depends on which quarry. Different marbles can be harder than the other as well as more stain resistant, so be sure when you are purchasing marble, which type it is.
Travertine is a limestone that has a more crystallized look to it and is very often mistaken as marble.
Make sure to do your research before deciding on just which type of stone flooring is right for you. You want to keep in mind which are more maintenance when it comes to clean as well as protecting and extending its lifespan. If you are someone that does not like to clean your floors regularly, there are some stone tiles that are not meant for you as they would need that done often. Or if you do not wish to worry about sealing your stone tile floors every few years, some other stones are not meant for you. Figure out which ones meet the needs and wants that you and your family desire.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
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How to Polish Natural Stone Floor Tiles
When it comes to polishing your natural stone flooring, there is an entire process to accomplish before reaching this stage. Polishing is what brings out the natural shine in your stone tiles. This is usually the second to last step in the restoration process.
Before you can even begin to do the polishing process, it is best to start the entire restoration process. And that starts with cleaning your natural stone floors and getting them ready for the first phase of restoration.
You will first need to take a soft-bristled broom and sweep up all of the dirt and debris throughout the area. Next you will want to use an un-treated dust mop to sweep up any dust and small particles you may have missed with the broom.
From there you will need a bucket, a soft wet mop, and cleanser of some kind. With the cleanser you need to make sure that it is one that can be used on your natural stone. Some natural stones cannot handle specific cleansers like ones that are acidic or alkaline. Make sure that your cleanser is one that will not cause any damage to your stone tiles.
You need to fill the bucket with warm water and after consulting the back of the cleanser bottle, pour in the appropriate amount needed. As you start mopping, make sure to cover the entire area. The cleaning solution needs to set on top of the surface for about 10 to 15 minutes so that the cleanser can loosen up all the dirt and grime.
During this time frame you need to make sure that you keep the area wet and that it is not drying. You do not want it to dry and that dirt be back on the tiles.
After it has set, dump the dirty water out of the bucket and rinse it and the wet mop thoroughly, and then refill it with warm water. Then start mopping up all the dirty water being sure to empty and refill the bucket with fresh water regularly.
After all traces of cleanser and dirty water has been removed, allow the area to either air dry, which can take up to a couple of days depending on the type of stone, or use a soft microfiber cloth to dry the area by hand.
Once the area is completely dry, now you can begin the process of restoring the stone tiles, which includes polishing your natural stone tiles. The first phase, though at times this can be skipped, is grinding. It is a very aggressive process that is using a metal-bonded and diamond grit that buffs away all deep scratches and lippage flattening the floor in the process.
The next phase, or the phase that you can start out with is honing. This is a very similar process as grinding but at a much more mild process. It takes grits that are less coarse to complete this process that removes any minor scratches and etch marks. This will also flatten the floor as well.
Now comes the phase of polishing the stone tiles. What this does is using higher grits or a combination of higher grits to run along the tiles and bring out the shine.
To maintain this shine and luster is the final phase of applying sealant to the stones. Applying a high quality sealer will help protect the tiles as well as slow down the absorption rate of any liquid spilled on the tiles.
This completes the entire process of restoration and how to polish the natural stone floors. This traditionally needs to be done every 5 to 10 years depending on how well you maintain the cleaning as well as how much traffic runs through the area.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
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What is Stone Floor Refinishing
One thing that you will find that due to everyday use and traffic, you will start noticing wear and deterioration on your natural stone floors. And without knowing the proper cleaning and maintenance that your floors need can leave them looking dull, worn, and dirty.
That is where the refinishing or restoration process comes in. It is about bringing back your natural stone flooring’s beauty back into it. It is best to always do your research on your specific stone tiles whether they be granite, marble, slate, or many others. Each one has its own specific weakness to certain cleanser, so be sure to study up as it can cause more damage than good.
The restoration process begins with cleaning. You will need to use a soft-bristled broom to sweep up all dirt and debris. From there, you will need to use an un-treated dust mop and sweep up all dust and small particles that the broom missed.
The next steps would be to fill a bucket with warm water and with your choice of cleanser, after reading the label, pour in the appropriate amount of cleanser into the water. Taking a wet mop, start mopping the stone tiles. After you have mopped the entire area, allow it to set for 10-15 minutes so that it gives the cleanser time to loosen any dirt or grime while making sure that the area does not dry.
Then you will need to dump the dirty water out and rinse both the bucket and wet mop thoroughly. Refill the bucket and use the wet mop to start mopping up the dirty water. Make sure to empty and refill the bucket periodically so that you are not just pushing around dirty water.
Allow the area to air dry, but make sure that it is completely dry. This can take anywhere from a couple hours to a day or two depending on what kind of stone tiles you have. If needed, you can use a soft microfiber cloth to dry the area.
Once the entire area is completely dry, now begins the restoration steps. First phase is the grinding method, which very aggressive. There is a metal-bonded and diamond grit that is heavy weighted that buffers out all the deep scratches and lippage. This is to flatten the floor and generally dust free.
The next phase is honing, which slightly less aggressive than grinding. The materials and grits used are not nearly as coarse though the process is the same. There are times where this can be the first phase, depending on how damaged the stone tiles are. This process removes moderate scratches and etch marks, but in a softer manner. This will also make sure the floor is flat.
Now is the polishing phase. This process brings out the shine in your stone by using higher grit and sometimes a combination of higher grit compounds.
The final phase is sealing the natural stone tiles. A high quality sealant is applied to the surface that helps protect it. This is best done once all the grinding, polishing, and honing is finished that way you are ensured the proper protection.
Thus finishing the refinishing or restoration process. This process is usually accomplished every 5 to 10 years as long as you have been staying on top of the regular maintenance. Sealant may need to be reapplied between refinishing processes.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
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How To Seal Natural Stone Floor
We all know how much of an investment a natural stone floor can be to install into our home, but it always adds this beauty and character to whatever room we are placing it in. Taking care and maintaining that investment is important. Part of that maintenance and care is making sure that you have a sealant applied.
It is always highly recommended to have this done when you have the natural stone flooring installed, but you will need to have it regularly reapplied every few years depending on foot traffic.
The sealant is added protection for your natural stone tiles against scratches and slowly down the absorption rate of any spilled liquids. This is a very easy process to do yourself if you do not wish to call out a professional to do it.
There will be times where if there is a topical coating like wax or polyurethanes, that it will need to be stripped from the tiles before you take the next steps.
First and foremost is that you need to find the correct sealant and cleanser for your tiles. Depending what kind of natural stone that you chose will depend on which sealant and cleanser you will use.
Your first step is take a soft bristled broom and begin sweeping up all dirt and debris. Then use an un-treated dust mop and run it all in one direction sweeping up all of the dust and small particles.
Now you will need to take a bucket and fill it with warm water. After consulting the label on the back of the cleanser bottle, add whichever amount to the water. Take a clean wet mop and begin mopping the tiles.
As you are doing this, allow them to remain wet so that the cleanser is able to soak and help loosen all the dirt and grime. This takes about 10 to 15 minutes, but during that time you need to make sure that the area remains wet or the dirt will just dry up again.
After the cleanser has had the chance to loosen the dirt, dump the dirty water out of the bucket and rinse it and the wet mop thoroughly. Refill the bucket again with warm water and using the wet mop, start cleaning up all the dirty water and rinsing the tiles.
It is best to make sure that all the dirty water is cleaned up, so change out the water in the bucket periodically. Also make sure that all traces of the cleanser are cleaned up so that it does not leave a film.
Allow it to air dry or use a cotton or microfiber cloth to dry the entire area. This step is important before you apply the sealer to the stone tiles.
Once you have ensured that it is dry, you will just need to take your sealant and using a lamb’s wool applicator or soft cloth apply the sealant to the stone’s surface. After that, you need to leave it to completely dry before you are able to walk on it or place any furniture back down.
Make sure that you do not allow the sealer to puddle up as this can potentially stain the stones. You will need to apply a second coat of sealer and then buff it dry using a clean microfiber or cotton cloth to make sure that you remove all the excess sealer but make sure that you do not leave any streaks behind.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
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When was Terrazzo Invented
It all started way back over 500 years ago in Italy. Marble was the big and popular choice of material back in that time. The Venetian construction workers got the idea to start mixing scraps with the pieces from the upscale jobs with the clay that they used to make the inexpensive floorings in their own homes. The crazy part of the idea was how they brought the shine out of the marble in the mix, they used goat’s milk to seal the floor.
Upon creating this new, beautiful tile flooring they started calling it terrazzo, which is the Italian word for “terraces”. It is a beautiful and very versatile tile flooring that is very commonly used in both contemporary flooring as well as wall materials both inside and outside homes.
We give credit to the Italians in creating this beautiful tile flooring, but archaeologists have found some evidence of terrazzo tile flooring within some ruins in Turkey that date way back to 8,000 – 10,000 years ago. This gives us the idea that terrazzo tiles were the original substance that was used for flooring.
So now you are probably sitting here wondering just how did this unique and beautiful tiling come all the way from Italy to the United States. It was brought to the U.S. back in the late 18th century, and was used in various monuments and historic American buildings. It was well known that in the home of George Washington, Mt. Vernon, that he had terrazzo tile floors.
It very quickly became very popular and that due to the amount of marble found throughout America, that there were continuous advancements in terrazzo installation techniques which made it faster and much more durable than most other choices for flooring.
Once the 1920s hit, producing terrazzo because much easier due to the invention of electric grinders and other power tools. From there, the 1960s and 1970s brought on the thin-set, or epoxy. This much more modern terrazzo offered a larger variety of colors as well as thickness of the tiles and were much quicker to install. Epoxy terrazzo has been used much more for interior tile flooring.
When you look at terrazzo today, you will find that it has many different durable materials in it such as quartz, marble, recycled glass, porcelain, granite, concrete, and other metal aggregates. When mixed with the cement or epoxy and then polished, it makes it very durable, smooth, and has a textured surface that will last for many years. It has quickly become a popular choice due to this and its beauty.
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Why Does Terrazzo Crack
Terrazzo is made in a very unique way and has been around for several centuries. It is a tile that was created out of frugal needs than anything. The creators, Venetian marble workers, took the left over marble chips that they had and mixed it with the concrete to pour out on their terraces. It had a beauty to it and allowed them to not waste any pieces of marble.
Terrazzo is one of the more uniquely installed tiles unlike some others natural stones. In the past several decades, the installation process has further evolved to include even a few more extra steps to deliver a different look and feel that someone is possible looking for. Also, to help and ensure that the terrazzo lasts.
Thin-set terrazzo is where either ¼” or 3/8” thick resinous topping is applied directly over the subfloor. Zinc, Brass, or plastic dividers are needed to be installed above the control joints in the subfloor so that the finish does not end up cracking along the joints.
Monolithic terrazzo is where ½” of thick cementitious finish is applied right over the concrete subfloor.
Bonded terrazzo is ½” thick cementitious finish is placed over a sand-cement mortar under bed that sits on the finished concrete slab.
Sand Cushion Terrazzo is ½” cementitious terrazzo finish that is set on top of a mesh reinforced mortar under bed, which is has an isolation sheet that separates it from the subfloor.
During the installation of any of these types of terrazzo tiles the contractor makes sure that the subflooring is both even and smooth.
What mainly causes cracks in the terrazzo tile flooring is if the subflooring is unevenly which causes the tile to eventually crack under pressure. Usually when terrazzo is being installed, the professional checks for this so this does not happen.
A couple other known issues have been the concrete slab that is the subflooring has been subjected to high levels of moisture, where it was set correctly, or it did not have the chance to fully bond.
If this does happen, the best way to fix this is to have a professional come out just in case there are other areas that this can potentially happen to. What they will do is remove the tile and fix the subfloor to where it is smooth and even before installing a new replacement tile.
Another thing that a professional may do is to patch up the crack if it is a small hairline crack. This is even something that can be a DIY project that you are able to do yourself. Keep in mind though that if you are not sure what exactly caused the hairline crack, that it could potentially end up being a bigger problem down the road and lead to larger cracks. Thus it may be a subfloor issues or moisture. To protect your investment, it is always best to consult with a professional.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
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What Does Terrazzo Look Like
Before we divulge into what terrazzo tiles look like, let’s take a look at the history and where it came from. Knowing a bit more about its history and how it came to be can help us get a better idea of terrazzo.
Though some archaeologists have found some evidence of terrazzo tiling being used for floors in some old ruins in Turkey that date back about 8,000 to 10,000 years ago, we still say it originated over 500 years ago in Italy by some Venetian marble workers.
The word “terrazzo” comes from the Italian word “terrace”. It is a beautiful mosaic type material that was created out of frugality. The Venetian marble workers decided to create this due to not being able to afford marble for their own terraces.
What terrazzo tiles are made out of are chips of marble mixed in with either concrete and then left to set. Though they first realized that it was a little rough and hard to walk in, they tried to rub the surface with a stone that would make it more smooth and pleasing to walk on.
Now-a-days you can even find glass, quartz, and granite along with the chips of marble in the terrazzo tiles to create different effects. They have also changed from using concrete to using an epoxy resin with colored chips which is called a thin-set terrazzo. This allows for a faster installation process as well as a larger range of color choices.
One of the final steps is using a dry grinder on it and filling any holes to accomplish the smooth surface. It is then cleaned, polished, and then sealed, which all leaves a shiny and lovely finish.
Though the creation for this tile flooring was because it was cheaper to choose than marble, today it actually costs more than granite and marble does. Though this may be because of the actually cost for installation than just the cost to make the actual tile.
So after finding out a bit more about terrazzo’s history you get a bit more of the idea of what terrazzo looks like. It first was a mixture of concrete with marble chips and has evolved to marble, glass, granite, and other aggregates being embedded in either concrete or epoxy resin. The concrete can be tinted to certain colors, and with being able to place chips of different colors opens up the color range more.
Terrazzo has been used in many different famously known areas such as Michelangelo’s mural in St. Peter’s Basilica or in George Washington’s home in Mount Vernon. And from there it evolved to being used in other designs all the way to floors.
One of the big beauties of terrazzo tile floors is that you can do multiple different designs and colors to make it unique for your home.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
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What Cleans Terrazzo Floors
Terrazzo is that beautiful natural stone flooring that is made out of the marble chips mixed with either concrete or resin. Once they are combined, it makes this really smooth and luxurious flooring that captures the beauty of marble. It is very durable though made out of marble chips.
It is a rather porous stone due to the concrete mixed in, it’s one of the most porous materials. So it is normal for terrazzo tile floors to need a finishing sealer applied that helps it resist stains. It is recommended on regular basis that the sealer is stripped and reapplied to guarantee the beauty of the terrazzo tiles.
When it comes to regular cleaning, the process is not very difficult. Terrazzo tile flooring is actually very easy to clean and maintain. The one thing that is important to remember is that for cleaners, avoid all alkaline or acidic ones. You will need one that is pH-neutral.
Starting from the beginning, you will just need to use an untreated dust mop to sweep up all the dust, dirt, and debris throughout the tiles you plan on cleaning.
Now you just need to get a bucket and fill it up with clean, warm water. Now according to the label on the back of the pH-neutral add what you need to for the amount of water in your bucket. Using a clean wet mop, start mopping the terrazzo tiles.
You will need to allow the water with the cleanser in it to set on the floor for a few minutes so that it starts to breakdown the dirt and grime on the floor. To make this successful, it is best to keep the area wet and not allow it to dry or all the loose dirt will just dry back onto the floor.
Simply dump out all the dirty water in the bucket and rinse out the bucket and the wet mop. Fill the bucket back up with fresh, warm water and with the mop start to rinse the terrazzo tile floors. Cleaning up all of the dirty water and removing all traces of the cleanser.
Make sure during this process that you dump and refill the bucket up periodically that way you are not just pushing around dirty water on the floor. You need to make sure that all the cleanser is removed so that you do not leave a film that can end up being slippery when wet.
Once you have rinsed the floor thoroughly, with a clean microfiber cloth all you need to do is buff the tiles out until they shine. This way it brings the shine back as well as making sure that no dirty water or cleanser is being left behind on the surface.
Before we close this out, there are a couple of last minute cleaning tips that should help you more. Make sure that you do not use any cleansers that are oil-based. This can cause discoloration to your terrazzo tiles. In high traffic areas, lay down rugs or mats to help protect your tiles. And the last one is to establish a regular cleaning schedule so that you can avoid buildup with the dirt and debris.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
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What Slate is Made of
In more simple terms, this means that slate is generally created by low-grade regional metamorphism of pelithic sediments or fine-grained tuffs. The metamorphic rocks are also known as layered stone. It has been known to find fossils within slate that were preserved and are slightly distorted.
It is most common to find slate along coasts throughout the entire world. Due to the hard and harsh beginnings in how slate is created makes it very durable against everyday life. It offers a unique type of beauty, and no piece of slate looks the same as the next.
Slate is most popular in being chosen to be placed in areas such as hallways, foyers, bathrooms, and even possibly along pool sides due to its naturally slip-resistant surface. The “split face” surface texture is one of the most popular and also one of the most slip-resistance of all slate textures.
This split face texture you will find comes in a few other colors such as beige, greens, orange, and purples. It is known that they can be both decorative and practical installed in the area of your choice.
When it comes to color, you will never find the same color and design in two slate tiles. The reason this is, is because the amounts of minerals and other compounds that make up each tile is different. This allows you to become creative when you lay out exactly how you wish the slate tiles to be installed. Keep in mind that due to the uniqueness of each tile, looking at installing a design that has a monochromatic effect would not be possible. Before it is time to install, it is recommended to open all the boxes of slate tiles to look and see each tile design, and lay it out how you wish the design to be.
Slate is not only a popular choice, but it is also a practical one that as a bonus is a decorative one as well. It is the perfect choice when it comes to finding the right natural stone flooring that is slip-resistant and as even and level as possible. It offers such a variety of colors and designs that allows you to be creative in how to layout your slate tile flooring. It has such a natural beauty that is unique in its own way and gives you that one of a kind tile floor.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
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Friday, August 5, 2016
Which is Stronger Slate or Granite
Between slate and granite, the most popular of the two natural stones would be granite, especially when it comes down to countertops and flooring. Though they have a few things in common such as them being a natural stone and are found in the earth, they are very different from one another. One of the more popular questions are which is stronger than the other?
Slate and granite have one of the most obvious differences, which is how they look and colors. But besides the obvious visual difference you will find that the major differences between slate and granite are their porosity, softness, and durability.
When figuring out why granite is more popular than slate, it comes down to the fact that it much more appealing in appearance as well as much more durable.
With durability testing, you will find that granite is both extremely hard as well as dense. This makes it very resistant towards scratches from nearly any everyday use and traffic. It is also very resistant towards heat.
You will find that slate is pretty resistant towards heat as well, but it is much softer than granite. This opens slate up more to scratches, scuffs, and other things of the like. It is also a very brittle stone that can chip along the edges and corners.
With that being said, granite is much stronger and durable than slate. Though there are a few other things to consider between the two stones. Slate has its own beauty and advantages, but when you continue comparing it to granite, it seems that granite nearly always comes out on top.
Granite is made out of grains from numerous minerals such as quartz, mica, and feldspar. Due to this, it makes the color range rather large to choose from. Going from blues and reds all the way to subtle ones such as browns and blacks.
Slate is a metamorphic rock that has been formed when either shale or mudstone has been highly pressurized. This makes the color range very limited. You will find that traditionally, slate is available in gray or black, though it can be found in green, purple, or red too.
Though granite is a very hard and smooth stone, it can actually absorb both spills and stains. To prevent this, granite is usually treated with sealant during the manufacturing process that makes it more resistant towards stains. Slate is a non-porous stone and will not absorb stains like granite will. It also will not require to be sealed and resealed as time goes on.
One of the very last things that make the two stones differ is the cost. When choosing any natural stone compared to those that are man-made, the natural stone will cost more. On average, you will pay between $50 to $300 per square foot to install granite. This is entirely based on where the granite came from, the variety of the stone, and the area you plan to install it in. You will find that slate is rather less expensive between anywhere from $50 to $65 per square foot.
So overall, granite is a much stronger and more durable stone when you compare it to slate, though slate is much more resistant, naturally, against stains and spills unlike granite.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
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Which Slate is Best
When choosing slate tiles for your floors, there are a few things to consider before just choosing any one. We are all about finding the best deal, especially when it comes to such an expensive investment such as flooring.
There are a few things that you need to consider when you check out the latest deals on slate tiles. Like most other flooring materials, especially for natural stone, there are different grade levels to consider. Normally, the lower the pricing, the lower the grade, usually a B or C. The highest grade you can choose is A.
The lower the grade means that there will be inconsistencies with things such as size, color, and even the shape itself. The tiles are known to crack or have broken edges. Low pricing can also be a sign of ecologically heedless quarrying or even mining companies not following the social justice practices like they should.
One of the other differences between the different slate tiles is the texture of the surface of the tile. There are three well known different textures that slate tiles can have.
The first being gauged slate tiles. You will find that during the refinement process, nearly all slate tiles have their backs flattened out. This helps the tile back be able to adhere more completely when they are grouted to the subflooring. You may find that in some cases that the backs are scored slightly to create a better grip.
There are some ungauged slate tiles, though these are most commonly found outdoors being used as stepping stones in gardens or backyards. These are easily embedded into the ground soil.
Another texture is clefted natural slate tiles. The backs of the tiles are gauged smooth, but the tops of the tiles have a more unrefined and natural look. There are cracks, clefts, and bristles of the stone showing. This gives a very rugged and powerful look that gives the feels for the outdoors in the mountains where this material is generally found. This also provides great traction, even when wet. With the lower quality you would get too much clefting which would make some of the tiles unable to be used.
One of the last textures are honed slate tiles. These slate tiles are run through the honing process which polishes down the surface until it is smooth. Some slates are able to handle a higher honing process, though you will never be able to give slate the polished look you will find with marble.
One major drawback to having honed slate tiles is that the tiles tend to lose some of the lustre and vibrancy which is given to them in their natural state. The slate tiles will also become very slippery when wet, though may still have some traction. It will also make the slate more vulnerable to stains and scratches, especially if it is a lighter colored slate.
So figuring out which slate tile is best for you mainly depends on what your needs and desires. Go over the pros and cons of each different type of texture and see which one is best suited for your home.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
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How to Clean Slate
One thing that you have to remember is that while slate is beautiful, like all natural stone it needs maintenance in order to avoid dirt build up and scratches. It is not one of the harder stones, so without the extra protection of a sealant and regular maintenance, your slate tiles can be damaged.
To be able to go about a regular cleaning routine, here are a few things that you will need:
- Clean, non-treated dust mop
- Soft-bristle broom
- Warm water
- Bucket
- Mild detergent, like Dawn soap
- Wet mop
The first thing that you will need to do is take the soft bristle broom and sweep up all dirt and debris from the floor. Follow that with the non-treated dust mop which will pick up all dust and particles that the broom missed. Make sure not to go in a back and forth motion, move in one direction.
Take your bucket and fill it with about 1 gallon of the warm water. Mix in around ¼ cup of the mild detergent. All you need to do now is to use the wet mop and dip it into the water and start mopping the slate tile flooring.
Empty your bucket and make sure that you rinse out the remaining soap and then fill it with fresh, clean warm water. Make sure that you have rinsed out your wet mop really good as well. Using the bucket of warm water and the freshly rinsed mop, rinse the slate tiles until there are no remains of any suds or dirty water.
From there, all you need to do is let the slate tiles dry by air. Make sure that there is no traffic walking around on the freshly cleaned tiles during the drying process.
There are a few cleaning tips to keep in mind to help you better maintain your slate tile floors. It may be in the best interest for your floor to consider dust mopping the floor either on a daily or weekly basis. Once you have, make sure that you shake out the dust mop really well outside.
One way to help protect your slate tiles from scratches is to place down rugs or doormats to catch anything being tracked in on the bottom of people’s shoes, or even ask your guests to remove their shoes before entering your home. Though keep in mind that if you choose door mats, pick one that does not have a rubber backing. These can stick and cause potential damage to your slate.
One of the last pieces of advice to protecting and maintaining your slate tiles is to stay on top of sealing them regularly. Depending on how much traffic your slate floors get, you will need to reseal about every 1 to 3 years. The sealant helps protect against scratches and slows the absorption process down due to any spilled liquids. Make sure to take taking care of your slate tiles seriously to get their full expected lifespan.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
Floor ReNew Houston
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What Colors Compliment Saltillo Tiles
Saltillo
tiles have such a beauty, mainly due to how they are created. They are made in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
and are hand crafted. They come in
various styles, colors, and sizes. They
are made from natural clay deposits and are then formed into the size and shape
the creator desires. Then they are left
in the sun to dry and then placed in a cave-like structure that is similar to a
very large kiln.
Due to how the tiles are created, they
have irregularities such as chips, cracks, and bumps. These add character and rustic type quality
to them, making them unique and beautiful.
When the tiles are placed in the kilns
to be fired up, some end up overlapping so that they do not fall over during
the process. In order for fires to “stay
alive” they need oxygen. Before the
kilns are fired up, they opening is sealed shut in order to prevent heat from
escaping.
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Floor
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Stone Restoration
4530
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Houston,
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418-9983
https://www.facebook.com/floorrenewWhere is Saltillo Tile Made
Saltillo tile has become very popular in both Mexico and the Southwest region of the United States. Its popularity is quickly spreading across the entire US. It is a unique and beautiful tile that is hand crafted down in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico.
It has become very popular in the cottage industry. In that region, it is very common for many people to make the tiles right there in their backyards.
The most common colors that the tiles come in are in various reds, oranges, and yellows though this can change once they are fired up in the kilns. How they create the shapes of the tiles are in two different ways. One is by craving the shape into the clay itself or by using a wooden frame pressed into the clay.
Due to how these tiles are created, they are not perfect in the same sense as most other tiles. They are fired up at low temperatures which makes it impossible for them to be flat or perfectly square. While they are laying out in the sun to dry, it’s common for animal prints to be found in the tiles. This is a symbol of good luck!
When you order Saltillo tiles for your flooring, do not be surprised if you find that there are not two tiles the same exact color. This is due to the clay and how they are fired up in the kilns. While firing up in the kilns, this can create various patterns and colors on each tile.
The clay that is use to create these tiles are found in the riverbanks. It is really muddy, but it is turned into some of the most durable tiles in the world.
They are used in both interior and exterior flooring. It is known that these are used from anywhere such as bathrooms and kitchens to patios and porches.
Saltillo tiles are not made for everyone. It is one of the lower costing natural stone floorings to choose from. It provides a rustic feel and gives a feel for the Spanish and Mexican style as well as works great with Mediterranean and Tuscan homes as well.
Though it is known that due to the large demand of these tiles, that there are manufacturers out there that make “unclean” Saltillo tiles. These are tiles that are made out of clay that has not cleaned and sifted and may contain other elements besides just the clay. These tiles end up lacking in durability and quality and can quickly deteriorate over time.
Due to how unique these tiles are, it is best to do as much research on them when it comes to installing and maintaining the Saltillo tiles. Make sure that they meet all the desires you wish for the flooring before deciding. These are not made for everyone.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
Floor ReNew Houston
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What is Saltillo Tile Flooring
One of the most beautiful and unique natural stone flooring are Saltillo tiles. This is due to their imperfections that give them the unique beauty that you do not find in most other stones.
Saltillo tiles are handcrafted down in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. The clay that the tiles are made out of are pulled from natural clay deposits within that region, which has one of the finest natural clay deposits throughout the entire world.
After they pull the clay from the earth, it is then cleaned and sifted. This process is very important as the more “clean” it is the better quality it is. There are many Saltillo tiles on the market today that are made with “unclean” clay, which means they did not clean and sift the clay like you are supposed to. This makes the quality of that tile much less than those that take the clay and run it through a machine that sifts and cleans the clay.
After the cleaning process, the clay is mixed with water and by hand, not with a machine, the wet clay is shaped and formed into a tile. This makes every tile unique and have its own character. You will find that the tile is primitive and has irregularities, but that is what adds to the natural beauty and uniqueness. You may even be one of the lucky ones to find some animal paw prints in the clay.
Once the clay tiles have been shaped how they want, they are then placed out in the sun to dry. This process can be delayed if there are rains, but once they are dried, they are then placed into these cave-like structures that work similarly like a kiln.
All of the tiles are stacked within these kilns or caves so that they are slightly overlapping one another. This helps prevent them from falling over during this process. The opening to the kiln must be sealed shut with clay so that this prevents any heat from escaping.
The kiln is then fired up. The fire starts at the bottom of the kiln and fuel is added to increase the heat until it hits the desired temperature. It is common knowledge that fires feed off of oxygen and without it cannot continue to “live”. All available oxygen is quickly consumed by the fire which makes the fire seek out more. The next oxygen source the flames will find are in the tiles themselves, which is iron oxide. Once the flames find this source it causes flashing along the surfaces of the tiles.
These flashes are what gives the tiles their different, unique colors. All the ways to effect the colors of the tiles are by how the flame or heat is controlled inside the kiln, how the tiles are stacked, and whether or not there were color additives added to the clay during the manufacturing process.
Saltillo tiles are unique in their own way by how they are created. No other natural stone has this process, though each are unique and have their own natural beauty. Adding Saltillo tiles to any floor in your home will bring warmth, beauty, and character.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
Floor ReNew Houston
4530 W. 34th Street Suite C
Houston, TX 77092
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How to Clean Saltillo Floor
When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your Saltillo tile floors, you must keep in mind that they are a soft and porous. This tends to make it rather difficult to clean and maintain. Saltillo tiles are one of the natural stone floors that require having a topical sealer applied to them, which makes them even tougher to keep clean.
Before beginning to clean the Saltillo you must first test and see if there is a topical sealer. You can do this by pouring a small amount of water to the surface and if it beads, then there is more than likely a topical sealer. If you do have a topical sealer, then you will be cleaning the topical sealer. If you find that it is not getting cleaned the way you wish, you may have to strip off the topical sealer and then reapply.
The cleaning solution you will need to use to clean the Saltillo is an alkaline cleaner that you mix with some hot water. You will then need to pour it right onto the Saltillo tile flooring. Allow it to set for about 15 minutes or so, this lets the solution loosen up all the dirt and grime.
Do not allow the solution to dry on the Saltillo tiles, so be sure to constantly keep adding more of the solution. If your tiles have never been sealed, the solution will get soaked up quickly so keep up on adding more cleaning solution so that the tiles remain saturated for the full 15 minutes or more.
Next, using an aggressive scrub pad or even a scrub brush you can start scrubbing the Saltillo tiles. This will help breakdown the dirt and grime while the solution is soaking. It is safe to use the scrub brush and pad against the Saltillo tile without fear of scratching them.
Once you have loosened all of the dirt and grime, make sure to thoroughly rinse the tiles and grout to remove all of the cleaning solution. The best way to rinse is by using a bucket of hot water and mop.
If you find that there are still some stains in certain areas of the grout, it is time to break out an acidic cleaner. Simply pour this directly onto the tiles and grout and use that aggressive scrub pad or scrub brush to scrub the stain out.
If you find that your Saltillo tiles have a topical sealer, using the alkaline cleaner and allowing it to soak on the tiles can actually start to break the topical and damage the look of the sealer. This can be avoided by diluting the alkaline cleaner and using a soft, gently scrub pad. You do not wish to damage the topical, so using a soft scrub pad will prevent scratching.
This process will only slightly soften the topical sealer so that it allows the dirt and grime that is embedded in it to be removed without causing damages to the topical itself.
Once you have removed all the dirt and grime from the topical sealer, rinse it thoroughly with hot water until all traces of the cleanser is removed and allow it to dry. This will allow the sealer to re-harden and give that nice and clean look again.
If this process does not clean the dirt and grime from the topical sealer, the next step would to be strip the topical sealer and reapply a new one. Once you do this, it will make our Saltillo look nice and new again.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
Floor ReNew Houston
4530 W. 34th Street Suite C
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 418-9983
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Wednesday, August 3, 2016
What to Use on Marble Floors
When
it comes to cleaning and maintaining your marble floors, it is always best to
use the proper supplies. If you do not,
you could cause damage to your marble flooring that could end up costing you
more in the end.
It is best to keep in mind that is a
porous stone that is softer and is sensitive when it comes to acidic
substances. If it is not properly
maintained, staining, scratches, etching, or more other types of damages can happen
to your marble surface.
When you have your marble tiles
installed, you always need to have it sealed.
When you apply a sealant to marble, it is absorbed and creates a barrier
between everyday things that can occur and cause damage to it. It helps prevent scratches and etching to
happen, though if something is spilled, it is best to clean it up right away.
Over time, that sealant will start to
wear down, which scratches, staining, and etching can happen. You can restore your marble by honing and
polishing it to bring back its beauty, but it is always best to reapply the
sealant.
The solution that you would use to mop
your marble floors with would be hot or warm water with a neutral pH cleaner
that is for marble. Make sure it is a
mild, so that it does not cause harm to your floors. Also make sure to rinse thoroughly so that
you do not leave any soap scum behind.
Make sure that you do not use any
store-bought or generic cleaning products on your marble floors. These tend to contain alkalis, acid, and
other chemicals that are very harmful to your tiles. They can cause etching, staining, and more
damage that can only be removed by a honing and polishing process.
If you have your marble floors in the
kitchen, be sure to clean up all spills right away, even ones that involve food. There are a lot of foods that contain acid or
are acidic that can cause the etching as well.
No matter where you marble tile
flooring is at, be sure to never use any special grout cleaners or tile
cleaners. These are very abrasive and
can cause scratching or even dull the surface of the marble.
Also do your research first before
using any type of cleaner on your marble.
It is important to maintain your flooring, but it
is always just as important to make sure to protect it as well.
Floor
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Natural
Stone Restoration
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Houston,
TX 77092
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418-9983
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