Natural Stone Overview

It should be mentioned that old stone floors were never sealed and still they look beautiful even by today’s standards. All stone is naturally porous to varying degrees, for daily use and to increase the resistance to staining, sealing your stone would be the right choice.

Our preferred range of sealants are from the LTP range, and we work alongside LTP to provide high standards of technical knowledge and support. It is a must that good practice is observed when installing your tiles to make sure that no building residues or dirt are sealed into the stone as these can be hard to remove. Your tiles need to be entirely clean and dry before each stage of the installation and sealing process to provide the correct application of the relevant sealant. The guidelines below are mentioned in general, and there are exceptions to the rules in terms of equipment, application and sealant needed.

Our well-equipped staff can provide you a tailor-made quotation according to your individual requirements. All sealants mentioned need different drying times in between processes. When using any sealant, a small inconspicuous test area or off-cut should be sealed first to ensure that the end results are achieved. The next part provides general guiding for sealing, our staff will be happy to advise on your individual requirements.

Honed & Antique Limestone, Travertine & Marble

These materials and finishes make up most of our stone range and they require an impregnating sealer that is absorbed into the body of the stone to quell the porosity. LTP Mattstone, Mattstone H20 or Colour Intensifier and Stainblock are breathable impregnating sealers that will leave the stone with its original surface texture. Impregnating sealers can be either solvent-based or water-based and are breathable so can be used internally and externally.

Once the stone has been fixed, clean with LTP Grimex. Allow the stone to thoroughly dry before applying the sealer. Depending on the porosity of the stone you may need one or several coats of sealer. The aim is to saturate the stone without over applying and should not be left to dry on the surface. Make sure that the sealer is fully absorbed, if not, it must be removed using a microfibre cloth leaving the stone with its original natural finish. This process helps to prevent grout residues adhering to the surface and grout pigments absorbing into the stone.

When the grout is fully dry a further coat of sealer can be applied covering the grout also. NB Make sure that all grout residue has been removed from the surface. If a residue is evident on the surface use LTP Cement Grout & Salt Residue Remover to remove.

As an additional option you may choose to add a surface seal that provides an extra layer to protection or to achieve a satin or gloss finish. LTP Ironwax Satin and LTP Ironwax Gloss will add a further layer of protection to the stone leaving a satin or gloss finish. Surface sealers are not breathable so should not be used in external or wet areas.

Riven Slate

This stone is normally less porous than the other Stones. If a natural finish is required, 1-2 coats of LTP Mattstone, Mattstone H20, or Colour Intensifier & Stainblock can be used.

Once the stone has been fixed, clean with LTP Grimex. Allow the stone to thoroughly dry before applying the sealer. The aim is to saturate the stone without over applying and should not be left to dry on the surface. Make sure that the sealer is fully absorbed, if not, it must be removed using a microfibre cloth leaving the stone with its original natural finish. This process helps to prevent grout residues adhering to the surface and grout pigments absorbing into the stone.

If a satin or gloss finish is required, LTP Ironwax Satin or Gloss can be applied without the prior need for an impregnating sealer. The surface sealer is quite sufficient to provide protection. These sealants have high resistance to wear and tear.

Honed & Riven Sandstone

Honed & Riven Sandstone are amongst the most porous of natural stones in our external range but can also be installed internally.
If installation is to take place internally, a thorough application of impregnating sealer is needed to make sure that it is well protected. Again, the aim is to saturate the stone without overapplying. After applying the impregnating sealer, it is advisable to apply 1 or 2 coats of LTP Ironwax Satin or Gloss, LTP Clear or Antique Beeswax. This will stop the grout from adhering to the surface texture. This will also aid future maintenance.

After grouting, further coats of LTP Ironwax Satin or Gloss, LTP Clear or Antique Beeswax can be applied to provide extra protection.

If fitting takes place externally, the stone can sealed with LTP External Stone Sealer. The aim is to completely fill the stone without over applying it. LTP External Stone Sealer can be applied to damp stone. This breathable sealer with allow the substrate to breath and not trap in the damp.
After grouting, if a residue is evident on the surface use LTP Cement Grout & Salt Residue Remover to remove. Apply a further coat of sealer if needed.

Terracotta

Natural terracotta Is extremely porous and should only be laid internally. It can be sealed synthetically or traditionally.
The synthetic approach would be to seal with LTP Mattstone H20 and a surface seal of LTP Ironwax Satin or Gloss. The traditional approach would be to seal with Boiled Linseed Oil and a surface seal of LTP Clear or Antique Wax.

Again, it’s best to apply the surface seal prior to grouting to prevent the grout residue from adhering to the surface texture. NB, Both of these processes are non-breathable. If there is no damp proof do not apply a surface seal.

Polished Limestone, Marble & Travertine and Honed Slate

These stones have lower porosity levels and will not a