Where
to Use Stone
Kitchen
Areas
Kitchen areas are hostile environments. Stone used in the kitchen
should be as impervious as possible. Hardness, loh absorption
and easy wipe-ability are primary physical characteristics necessary
for long life and utility.
Bath Areas
Stone inside showers and around tub areas should be smooth and
low absorbency. Polished surfaces require special care in wet
areas. Think of stone installations in the bath area as you
would a plumbing fixture - you want a smooth, easily wiped surface
that is easy to sanitize and requires no special effort.
Hard water
deposits can be very damaging to natural stone. If you have
hard water you should soften it. Chemical cleaners should be
carefully evaluated prior to using for compatibility with the
stone. Never use acidic type cleaners on marble or limestone.
Exterior Areas
Exterior stone will weather sooner or later so expect some cosmetic
changes over time. Polished surfaces show cosmetic changes rapidly
in most exterior situations. Acid rain and pollution will attack
natural stones - some more readily than others. Carbonate based
stones are most sensitive, siliceous stone less sensitive as
a rule.
Maintenance Budget
The most economical stone surface to maintain is one that does
not show cosmetic changes during normal use. On stone floors
this means a non-reflective surface since foot traffic tends
to abrade at a grit approximating 120-220 grit. Polished stone
surfaces re very stable cosmetically if they are not subjected
to abrasion and chemical attack. Non-polished surfaces are more
practical in areas that are expected to be abraded, especially
in high traffic areas. Match the stone finish to the intended
function and abrasion level if you desire low maintenance costs.
There are
situations where the design considerations will outweigh the
need for low maintenance costs and in these situations the cost
of restoration processes in addition to normal cleaning need
to be evaluated.
