The results from the use of the best Terrazzo Polishing products available cannot compare with the results that a professional contractor can provide.  This is because the contractor has the proper tools  and machinery to successfully deliver the desired results.  It must be known that the process of making the Terrazzo glossy again is a mechanical one; thus, professional equipment is a must for Terrazzo Polishing.

One of the probably simplest and most effective contributions Maurizio gave was the ‘lemon-juice test’ – which became the established procedure for consumers in choosing and determining a granite’s suitability, durability, and authenticity. In 1996, he started his own line of stone care products, MB Stone Care, which became the standard in cleaning, maintaining, and restoring natural stone such as granite and marble, until now.

Maurizio Bertoli passed away in an automotive accident in August 14, 2008.

Natural Stone Tile

Natural Stone Flooring

Some experts highly advise not to use Crema Marfil marble anywhere in the kitchen because of its calcareous nature, meaning it’s composition is chalky and soft – which means it can easily be affected by acids such as vinegar or citrus fruits.

If a homeowner is willing to use Crema Marfil marble on kitchen floors or kitchen countertops, it is highly advisable to apply a coat of high-quality sealer on the marble right after installation. However, sealing the marble cannot prevent etching, so extra care is definitely needed. Apply bar top dressing to lessen the chances of damage. Always use coasters, cutting boards, and trivets.

Marble Polishing

Marble Floor Polishing

Installation of Crema Marfil is the same with any other marble, it is advisable to provide Crema Marfil some extra length and thickness to make room for damages it can sustain from delivery. Attach the countertop in place with 100% clear silicone caulk adhesive. This will not discolor the marble.

However, keep in  mind that experts do not recommend the usage of Crema Marfil on kitchen countertops because of its calcareous nature. Crema Marfil is highly prone to acid etching and alkaline bleaching, so it is advisable to clean up every kind of spill immediately. Applying an impregnating sealer could help resist stains, but it will not guarantee protection from etching. Like with other marbles, high maintenance is needed for Crema Marfil

Stone sealing

Stone sealing is the process of applying a surface treatment to the natural stone to prevent staining.  As the name suggests; the application seals off the stone from liquids and other elements to avoid stains from marking the surface.  By sealing, one can prolong the stone’s usefulness and longevity.  The stone penetrating sealer to be used on granite counter tops must be that which is recommended by the manufacturer.  It is important to follow the instructions for the application of the stone penetrating sealer for better results.

Travertine is a sedimentary rock. It is usually formed because of carbonate minerals precipitating from solution on surface and in ground water.

Composition:

Calcite and aragonite are present in travertine formed in the hot springs. Aragonite is dominant in hot temperatures whereas, calcite dominates in cooler weather.

Travertine in its fine and pure form comes in white color. The presence of impurities other than carbonate minerals turns the travertine brown, reddish brown or yellow.

Uses and Demands:

Travertine is commonly used as a building material. In fact, it was widely used in the middle ages for building homes. People use it mostly for paving garden walks and patios. They call it travertine marble or travertine limestone, though it is neither marble nor limestone. It is commonly available in various tile sizes for flooring. It is also very popular in modern architectures such as the Willis Tower, Chicago and the UCLA Medical Center.  The United States demand for travertine is about 0.85 million tons and most of this is imported from Italy, Mexico, Turkey and Peru. The most distinct characteristic of travertine is that its surface is full of troughs and holes. Depending on your need, you could purchase ‘filled’ or ‘unfilled’ travertine.

Sealing:

One can fill the travertine with non-sanded grout, epoxy or polyester resins or with water-activated vinyl adhesives. However, polyester or epoxy resins are toxic and thus, are not good for home use. Non-sanded grout is a temporary solution rather than long lasting. Water-activated vinyl adhesives are easily available and easy to use. You simply need to make the mixture, and fill it in.

Vulnerability and Care:

Travertine is a soft stone, meaning that it can be easily broken to fit into small spaces. However, the pits and troughs combined with the softness of stones make it difficult to maintain it. As the stone is soft, it is very susceptible to scratching, etching and abrasion through debris and dust, furniture edges, hard plastics and metal. Unpolished travertine is also vulnerable to acidity and staining. Organic acid such as citric acid can damage the stone. So, one must be careful not to use cleaners containing vinegar while cleaning travertine.  Stagnant water on travertine for long periods can also cause damage to the stone. Heat in the form of hot vessels can change the stone’s texture, so be careful to use hot pads when you place these on travertine. In addition, slicing and cutting directly on the stone is not advisable.

Restoration of Shine:

Restoration of travertine is a three-step process. First, the surface of the stone is grinded with a coarse grit pad. Then, the surface is honed. This is done using a finer abrasive pad. Through this, the surface of travertine becomes smooth, but it loses its shine. Therefore, to regain the shine, the final step is to polish the surface with fine diamond abrasive. This brings the polish to the surface of the stone, thus restoring its shine.  The best way to keep your travertine tiles glowing is to maintain them regularly. This will prevent all kinds problems such as loss of shine and grit stuck in unfilled pores.  Colonial Floor and Stone care will be able to help with all aspects of taking care of your Travertine.  Consult our web page for information at www.colonialfloorandstonecare.com

Travertine Floor Polishing Miami

Travertine Restoration

Travertine Sealing

If you find that your marble floor had small white patches, it could be the result of marble stunning. Marble stunning occurs when little explosions occur in the crystals of the marble, because of concentrated pressure applied in that area. Women walking on marble wearing heels are a common cause of stunning. It can occur in aragonite or calcite stones. The size of crystal determines the visibility of stunning. The smaller the crystals, the less visible it is, and vice versa. Stunning could either be localized in the area where it occurred or can run deep into the stone. Marble polishing will require grinding. Look into Marble Polishing Miami for more information on stunning and marble polishing.

Marble Polishing Miami

Marble Polishing

Granite is a naturally occurring igneous rock formed from magma. Most of the granite on the Earth has been in existence since the Precambrian Age.

Composition and Quarrying:

Granite is mostly composed of SiO2 and Al2O3. It contains little amounts of K2O, Na2O, CaO, FeO and Fe2O3. It also contains very little amounts of MgO, TiO2, P2O5 and MnO.  The availability of granite is quite widespread. Nearly, all regions of the world have granite in some quantity. It is mostly quarried in Saudi Arabia, India, Portugal, Brazil, USA, Brazil, Finland, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Zambia, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, Argentina, China, Italy, Spain, Canada, South Africa and Norway. In America, the biggest granite quarry is in Barre, Vermont. Incidentally, it is also the biggest granite quarry in the world.

Uses:

Granite is widely being used in construction since the ancient times. In fact, many of the historic monuments that we see today are made of granite. Egyptians used granite largely in the construction of pyramids.

In the sports world, curling stones have traditionally used granite. They use the Ailsa Craig granite. In addition, rock climbers like granite, because it provides good surface for climbing. Granite finds use in memorials and gravestones as well.

In modern households, granite finds its use largely in flooring and countertops. Kitchen countertops use polished granite because of their durability and aesthetics. In New England, people used granite to build their home foundations.

Color:

Impurities present in the stone determine the color of the granite. The colors can range from black and dark grey to pink. If you are looking for commercially available granite colors, you will come across hundreds of shades in the market. Feldspar is the main contributor to the color of the granite. It gives it a gray, pink, green, white and sometimes bluish color.

Cleaning:

Granite in households is mostly used in countertops. They are preferable mainly due to their durability and aesthetic value. It is essential to clean the granite from time to time to maintain its beauty. While cleaning, use a microfiber cloth to remove the dust from the granite. Every day, wipe the surface with a cloth and water. Once in a week, it is necessary to use a neutral stone cleaner, which is neither acidic nor basic, as harsh chemicals can result in scratching, etching and pitting of the granite surface. In addition, place hot vessels and acidic liquids such as citric juices on coaster, so that they do not come in direct contact with the surface. Do not drag pots and pans over the surface, as that will result in scratches.

Precautions for Polishing:

Granite is a hard stone and thus, it is difficult to polish, so never try to polish granite tiles yourself. Rely on an experienced professional to polish your countertops. Trying to do it yourself could result in worsening your granite. It might also result in irreversible damage. Therefore, you should maintain it properly to preserve its shine, whereas polishing and restoring the granite is best left to the professional.. At Colonial Floor and Stone Care will be able to help you with all your stone needs.  Look at our website at www.colonialfloorandstonecare.com for any information you may need to for your Granite.

Granite Cleaning Services Miami

Granite Polishing

Granite Cleaning

Limestone Floor Cleaning

The most popular types of tiles that people consider these days are limestone tiles. You can find various types of tiles in the market, but limestone tiles are widely used as wall and flooring materials. This is also considered as an ideal material for healthy and hygienic atmosphere at home. Builders and interior decorators do a variety of experiments in a very natural way. It goes perfectly with all kinds of furniture and if limestone is used in some artistic way, it can create wonders.

Limestone Floor Cleaning Boca Raton

Limestone Cleaning

Limestone Polishing

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnirH7g2m7c

When we arrived at the job; this facility had dated vinyl tile throughout this room. The board wanted a fresh look to this space so when we showed up and listened to what their needs were and what there budget was, we came up with this modern looking floor option.  We gave the school floor an acid stained look.We first came in and prepped the floor by grinding the floor with an aggressive metal diamond to remove the glue and open the pores. Then we used a couple more sets of diamonds to close the pores.  Finally, we did multiple levels of high stains to accomplish this designer look.  This was a 5,000 sq ft place.  When the job was done, the client was happy that we did do what we said we were going to do in the time space we promised we would get it done in.  I hope our sales rep gets to go back to the space to see what color they selected to paint the walls to compliment their magnificent floors.  I imagine the students and teachers will all be pleasantly surprised when school starts back!

Call Colonial today to schedule a free consultation!  Our goal here at Colonial is give you a modern looking floor at an affordable price.

Concrete staining Miami

Concrete staining

Acid staining Miami

Concrete staining Miami