NATURE STONE resists buckling and cracking, unlike concrete. NATURE STONE flooring withstands severe weather because of its unusually strong epoxy and because it allows expansion and contraction with the seasons. NATURE STONE flooring can support heavy loads of up to 9,000 PSI.
Our polyaspartic polymer will not deteriorate due to salt exposure, and it withstands moisture, which naturestone cannot do. Thus, you can expect your floor to keep its superior look and quality for about 15 years with normal wear.
Nature Stone® Flooring outdoors? Absolutely! NATURE STONE's custom epoxy floors are an excellent outdoor stone flooring option for porches, pool and spa surrounds and walkways.
Maintenance, such as periodic cleaning, is required to maintain the beauty of your NATURE STONE® Brand Floor. A topcoat may be required on a periodic basis to restore the gloss and to reinforce the integrity of your NATURE STONE® Brand Floor.
Why Choose Sealed Polyaspartic Epoxy Flooring Over Nature Stone Flooring? Sealed polyaspartic epoxy flooring is a much more cost-effective nature stone alternative. OGI polyaspartic epoxy flooring provides unparalleled durability in even the most intense conditions.
Natural stone, as beautiful and tough as it may be, is also somewhat fragile. While it defies the barriers of time and is extraordinarily durable, it requires a certain level of TLC to ensure it retains its original splendour.
The weight of the natural stone is heavier than artificial stone, and therefore its use in the building is time-consuming. Climate and environmental changes affect the texture of the rock and cause cracking, mildew, and dandruff on the surface.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES
Exterior stone flooring from NATURE STONE® Brand Flooring can be hosed down or pressure washed.
Every stone is porous, some types of stone, such as marble, sandstone and limestone more than others. This means that liquid substances also penetrate unhindered and are almost impossible to remove after staining. Natural stone becomes more robust with a waterproofing.
Not sealing a stone countertop or floor tiles — which get the heaviest traffic and are the most susceptible to wear and tear — leaves the surface vulnerable to absorbing foreign substances, which can weaken the stone and potentially lead to the growth of bacteria.
Impregnators are water-based sealers that penetrate the surface of the stone. Although this solvent acts as a repellent against anti-stone substances, it still allows the surface to “breathe.” The majority of impregnators won't change the stone's appearance, are long-lasting and are not affected by UV lighting.
ROUTINE CARE
Natural stone countertops and floors should be cleaned with neutral cleaners specifically designed for stone. These cleaners are concentrated pH neutral cleaners that will not affect existing sealers or other types of coatings. Stone cleaners should never contain acid or bleach.
2) REPAIRING YOUR NATURE STONE® FLOOR
If you live near one of our showrooms, you can also pick up a repair kit. All repair kits include color-matched stones to match the floor being repaired, an epoxy mixture, and easy-to-follow instructions. Purchase repair kits online here.
For lower traffic areas, like a kitchen backsplash or bathtub surround, you should re-seal your natural stone tiles every few years. Depending on the amount of traffic, some installers choose to re-seal their natural stone tiles every 18 months, while others choose to re-seal their tiles every 4 to 5 years.
You can use just about any type of natural stone in showers! While slate tile is a popular choice, we also love the luxurious appearance of bright white marble and the earthy, soothing vibe of granite.
Nature Stone provides a beautiful entrance to your home. The unique blend of custom stone epoxy is applied directly over existing concrete, permanently covering ugly cracks and stains. Nature Stone floors are also slip resistant, environmentally friendly, and reduce the amount of dirt tracked into your home.
Many times in the industry, fabricators will often get calls about cracks in natural stone countertops. However, sometimes these “cracks” are not actually cracks, rather they are fissures, a natural feature of the stone that can resemble a crack.
If you have recently invested time, effort and money in a beautiful natural stone patio or some gorgeous flagstones and pavers, it's advisable that you protect your investment with a patio sealer (also known as seal paving sealant).
Use a wide paintbrush for small areas, and a long-handled flat mop for larger areas. Apply the sealer in a uniform coat. It's important to keep the surface of the stone slightly wet for 5 to 15 minutes. If the first application soaks in after a few minutes, apply more sealer.
Clean stone surfaces with warm water and a mild soap such as a clear Dawn Liquid Soap. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.
Keep It Simple to Clean Natural Stone
You can use any type of mild soap detergent, such as dish or hand soap, and mix it with a little water. Wet the stone first, and then use a bristle brush and soap solution to wipe the stone clean. The last step is to make sure you rinse thoroughly.
You should not use Lysol on your granite countertops, backsplashes or vanity tops. The cleaner contains harsh ingredients that can cause your sealer to lose its effectiveness. In specific, scents such as lemon contain citric acid, so you need to keep away from those.
And while natural stone would seem to fit the bill, it's important to keep in mind that stone quarrying has both aesthetic and environmental impacts on the earth, including erosion. It can also require a good deal more energy to transport to job sites because of its weight.
Natural pavers stone is stronger than concrete and can withstand up to 8,000 pounds per square inch (PSI), while concrete only supports up to 2,500 PSI.
In terms of durability, natural stone is considered more brittle than engineered quartz. Natural stone is also naturally more porous than quartz which means it can absorb liquids in the event of a spill.