One of the best things about natural stone is that it will last a lifetime. Over the years, it might lose its shine, pick up a few scratches and develop a patina. This is all part of the beauty of the stone. But if you are looking to breathe some new life into your natural stone, here is everything you need to know about how to restore a stone floor.
There are no set rules about when to restore natural stone. In some properties, the patina of the stone over the years adds to the charm and character. For others, the polished and perfected stone is a key feature.
If you are undertaking a renovation project and have an existing stone floor then it is well worth considering if it can be restored rather than replaced. As early as possible in the project, engage with an expert. A site visit will enable us to assess the level of restoration required, provide a cost and a timeframe for the work. Often a small sample area can be carried out to determine the specifics of the treatment. This also enables you to see the expected result. For heavily damaged stone that requires extensive grinding, it is sometimes advisable to have the work completed in stages during your renovation project.
It is also very common for stone to be restored as a standalone treatment. This might be due to damage that has occurred such as a spillage or just because the stone needs rejuvenating. Occasionally new stone requires a restoration treatment too, following an error during installation.
Depending on the type of stone that you have, the finish, any damage and lots of other factors there is hundreds of different answers and options when it comes to the question of ‘how to restore a stone floor’.
All of our treatments will involve some diamond abrasives that will lightly sand the surface of the stone. Restoring a stone floor in this way has lots of benefits over a deep clean with chemicals. Most importantly, the gentle resurfacing not only removes the dirt and exiting sealants but it also reveals a fresh new layer of stone. This stone will not only look like the original stone but will also regain its qualities.
Different stone types will have different finishes and different qualities. Your stone is likely to have been installed, finished, and sealed in a way that is most suitable to its geology. This means that when we restore your stone floor, we have to choose the correct methods to ensure it looks exactly as new. For example, a tumbled finish travertine floor will need to be restored using a flexible diamond pad. Marble on the other hand, will require resin or metal bonded diamond abrasives to create the perfect polish. You can find out a lot more information on how to restore a stone floor on our services pages.
One of the simplest answers to how to restore a stone floor is prevention. Extensive restoration treatments can often be avoided if the correct maintenance regime is employed as soon as the stone is installed. Ensuring that you use the correct cleaning products in the right way is essential. Many stone types are sensitive to acid. It is recommended to only ever clean your stone using a pH neutral, stone-safe cleaner. We also advise to regularly sweep the floor to remove dirt and particles that can scratch the surface. By keeping on top of the day to day care of your natural stone, the surface will endure elegantly.
You may opt to have a professional maintenance treatment every few years too. Using the same restoration techniques, this will just refresh the surface of the stone. Essentially, the maintenance treatment will also include the reapplication of a sealant to help protect your stone. You can learn more about the different types of sealant here.
If you have recently installed or restored your stone floor then we would be happy to share our Athena Aftercare guide. This is packed full of advice on keeping it in perfect condition. For your copy email becca@athenastonecare.co.uk
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