You will need to seal limestone if you want to keep this beautiful material in great condition.  It is a wonderful flooring material which is ideal if you are looking for something natural and of quality.  Limestone can be laid in many rooms in the house including the bathroom, kitchen and bedrooms.  It is a sedimentary rock which 50% of calcite or calcium carbonate mixed in with fish bones, sea shells, fossils and even dinosaur bones.

Limestone is typically much softer than other types of stone such as granite however there are some varieties which are stronger and denser.  Although limestone floors can last many many years, it’s very important that you take the time to care for them via washing, sealing, protecting and waxing.  If you don’t think it’s necessary to seal limestone you are very much mistaken.

Limestone tiles are very delicate and need to be treated with care when sealing.  If you apply a thick varnish or laquer you will change the appearance of the stone.  And not in a good way.  Therefore when you seal limestone, make sure you use impregnating oil which will soak into the stone whilst avoiding any major change in appearance.  You will also want to use a product which will act as a barrier to oil and water-based stains.  There are a number of products to seal limestone on the marker to choose from including Staintop and Lithofin FZ Protective Impregnator.

Remember, if you do accidentally spill anything onto limestone tiles, make sure you wipe up straight away.  Following these guidelines should be fine for tiles which are either dense of don’t get too much wear.

Because limestone is a natural product, you will find that they tend to have a textured surface which allows dirt to gather over the years.  If you have limestone tiles laid in an area where it suffers from plenty of wear and tear, it’s advisable to apply an extra coat of sealer.  Lithofin’s Care Seal is water based which allows you to re-apply it in areas which get a lot of traffic.

For stone which is either softer or more textured (e.g travertine or Cotswold), a layer of stone wax should do the trick.  When cleaning limestone make sure you buy one which is neutral in colour, for instance Easycare.

If you have just received your limestone tiles from the supplier, make sure you allow them to dry out before installing them.

By following the advice above and seal limestone you should be able to care for the tiles without too much fuss.  If you are at all unsure, ask Global Marble and Stone, Sarasota, FL at phone: 941-351-3324 or Fax: 941-351-0678

People ask us, why all the Contractors, Architects and Designer like to work with Global at Sarasota. The answer is very simple - They are different!! They are bringing new products all the time, Global's Showroom is changing every month, when you coming for your next visit you find the store re-designed. The proffesional community likes very much these changes and we are like children in a new candy store. The world is full with beautiful products that just waiting for some one to explore them and use them in the right house with the right application. Go to see Global Marble & Stone in Sarasota, you will understand why this is like our second home!!

Thank you, Global for bringing all these amazing products right to our door.

David & Shirley Robinson, Interior Designer, Tampa FL

Uses of Travertine Tile

As old an option it is for a sturdy and reliable building material, travertine tile remainsto be a highly diverse natural stone, suitable for all kinds of applications. Travertinewas used in the ancient world, but can also be found as a major component of many modern buildings such as the Getty Centre in Los Angeles, and the UCLA medical centre. Travertine tile is used as floor tile in both residential and commercial settings, as well as a decorative option for wall cladding and backsplashes. Travertine tile has both indoor and outdoor uses, being a durable stone, and can be both functional and aesthetically striking. A featured design element of which anyone would find to be a source of pride, the popularity of travertine seems to be undiminished. In fact, its getting more popular!

Processing travertine tile

Travertine is removed from the earth in large blocks before it is cut into what can be recognized as travertine tile. It may be cut in any of the following ways:

Cross-cut The travertine is cut with the grain of the stone bedding and on the same layer as it is formed in the earth. This makes for a more uniform texture and color

Vein cut the travertine is cut across several layers of the stone bedding, making for a more mottled, tiger-stripe effect when cut into tiles.

After the travertine is quarried, it is strictly selected for color variances, and further assessed after it is cut for holes and chipped edges. Beyond the selection process, the travertine may be subject to any of the following processes:

Honed the surface of the tile is sanded to create a matte finish

Tumbled the travertine is literally tumbled with gravel and bearings, giving it a rough-hewn, aged appearance.

Brushed a wire brush is used to give the surface of the travertine tile a worn, textured surface

Filled The pores in the travertine tile are filled with colored resin or cement to produce a pristine, solid surface.

Polished the travertine is sanded and polished, producing a shiny look

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