How to Protect and Clean Limestone

Limestone is a beautiful natural stone that is perfect for any interior or exterior space. Here at Materials Marketing, we offer limestone in a variety of colors and finishes to compliment your unique style. We often get questions on how to keep this stone clean and looking as good as the day it’s installed. Cleaning limestone may seem like a challenge at first, but it is actually very easy to keep this stone looking great for years to come. Here are our tips for cleaning your limestone surfaces.

Preparing Your Limestone to be Cleaned

First, you want to remove all dirt, spills, and dust from the surface of your limestone. You don’t want to spread dirt particles as you mop or wipe. Limestone is soft, and they could scratch the surface. Vacuums can also scratch the surface if they have a spinning brush, so it is better to use a broom or dust mop to remove dirt. Once your surface is free of dirt and dust particles, you are ready to move on to wet cleaning.

Cleaning Your Limestone

Next, prepare a bucket of warm water mixed with either a mild soap or a cleaner designed specifically for stone. Limestone is very sensitive to acids, so avoid acid cleaners or cleaners derived from citrus. These can etch and damage the surface of the stone. Use a soft microfiber cloth or mop to clean the surface and remove the grime. Make sure not to miss any spots! Once you are done, rinse your surface with plain water to remove any soapy residue. Then, make sure to dry your stone surface with a soft towel. You don’t want to leave any standing water on your limestone surface.

Removing Limestone Stains

Leaving standing spills like wine or juice will result in a stain on your limestone. It is best to wipe spills up immediately to prevent stains, but if you find yourself with a stain on your surface there are ways to remove it. First, you can try using a toothbrush and scrubbing in a circular motion with a mild soap mixture. If the stain doesn’t lift, you will have to try a poultice to draw the stain out. You can buy poultice products or make one yourself. To make your own, combine ¾ cup of flour and add hydrogen peroxide until you have a paste. Apply the mixture to the stain and allow to sit for one to two days, or until dry. Once dried, carefully remove with a soft edged scrapper.

Limestone Wear and Stain Prevention

The best way to fix wear and stains is to prevent them. Make sure to wipe spills as fast as possible to prevent any stains and to reseal your limestone regularly. The seal will prevent liquids and dirt from penetrating the surface. Also, you will want to protect the surface from scratching. To do this, add rugs to entries and heavy traffic areas and use pads underneath furniture.

If you have any questions about cleaning or picking out the perfect limestone, reach out to one of our design experts. We’d be happy to help.

How to Best Protect and Clean Natural Stone

1.  Test and seal the stone. If your home has natural stone installed in the bathroom, kitchen, dining room, etc. and it has a honed or tumbled finish, check with your sales associate or designer to make sure the stone was sealed after installation. This will help in the event of a spill of red wine, cranberry juice, or another aggressive agent, especially on countertops and floors.
2. Wipe up spills immediately. Stone is sensitive to acidic materials like tomato sauce, ketchup, carbonated beverages. It is best to clean up quickly using hot water and (if available) a stone cleaning product. Do not use vinegar, lemon, or orange cleaning agents, bleach, ammonia, or store-bought products that contain acids, alkalis, or other potentially harmful chemicals. If unsure, always test spot in an area out of sight.
3. Dust ‘mop’ your surfaces. Use a clean, dry, non-treated dust mop with your regular cleaning. Ideally, wet mop with hot water and a specially formulated stone cleaning agent. We do not recommend vacuuming stone floors as this can lead to chipping the stone.
4. Protect and cover. Doormats and carpet runners can be used to help keep foot traffic from bringing in dirt and elements that might damage the stone. For countertops and baths, use coasters for drinks, and decorative trays for cosmetics, bath products, and toiletries to help protect the stone from any harmful substances. Prevention is always the best remedy for maintaining natural stone.
5. Make a poultice for stubborn stains. If your stone does get stained, and regular stone-centric cleaning products do not help, a poultice may be the solution. Create a paste by combining a formulated stone cleaner with baking powder. Smooth this over the stain and cover with a clear plastic wrap. Let stand for several days and the poultice will slowly draw the stain out. Remove the poultice with warm water and buff with a cotton cloth or chamois.
6. Fixing deep stains. In the case of a serious stain that cannot be removed using the above directions, an alkaline cleaner may need to be administered. This type of cleaner can be found in most tile and stone supply stores. It should be the last resort for cleaning natural stone.
7. Ask a professional. Natural stone is an excellent choice of stone for many parts of your home. Its luxurious appeal is always a selling point for home-owners and real estate agents alike. When you decide to incorporate stone into your design plan, ask a professional the limitations and performance of the stone. Our designers are knowledgeable in the 38 different stones we offer, as well as the wide variety of additional products we carry.

Materials Marketing Limited offers a wide selection of stone flooring materials including: Latte, Champignon and Walnut, to name a few, that favorably demonstrate the perfect patina, “etching” and reclaimed look when crafted in our “French Quarter” distressed finish, which replicates the authentic imperfections of an antique stone floor — weathered beautifully with the passage of time.

Materials Marketing offers the following “antiqued” stone flooring finishes:

• Chateau – lightly abraded surface with rounded edges, all tumbled.
• Suede – lightly abraded surface with hand rounded edges.
• Rustic – lightly acid etched surface with square edges.
• Parisian – honed surface with hand-chiseled edges.
• Antico – sandblasted surface with square edges.
• Pillowed – honed surface with vertically rounded or shouldered edges.
• French Quarter – featuring a rough uneven surface and heavily chipped edges.
• Maison – is the same finish application as French Quarter with a brushing added to lightly smooth the surface.

Customization regarding each stone’s size and shape is practically limitless.

You can also combine different limestone and travertine materials in your floor pattern to emulate the wide color range of reclaimed stone floors such as Jerusalem Stone or Antique Dalle de Bourgogne.

MML’s representatives can help you select the best architectural stone products with their expert knowledge regarding the performance and limitations of all materials.

Regardless of the genesis, it is important to know how the marble, granite, limestone, or other natural stone will look when it is in place. Let’s consider a few points to aid in the thought process.

• Color: The range of color available in natural stone may be the opening for any conversation on the product. After all, color is one of the single biggest factors in any design scheme. Beyond basic beige and white, there are values of brown, gray, green, yellow, peach, black, rose, blue, etc., etc. Each color family ranges within itself to produce even greater character.
• Size: The size of the stone element and the space it is covering is significant. The tile shape can both minimize and maximize shading.
• Lighting: This may seem obvious….but sometimes not so much! Shading is easily influenced by lighting conditions, so be mindful.
• Location: Perspective matters. Think about how you’ll be seeing the stone. Floor? Wall? Top? Consider this point, please.
• Pattern: Pattern makes natural stone visually interesting. What impact do you want the stone to convey? Are you looking for something subtle or more dramatic? Pattern and shading can play well together or they can conflict and clash!

Shading in natural stone implies a certain degree of integrity. Thanks for reading.

Stone veneers can be used in either interior applications, such as fireplaces, or exterior ones, such as the outside of a building. However to achieve the best results, it is important to match the material to the individual job requirements. Most interior stone veneer projects do not involve exposure to the elements. The appropriate veneer for a chimney may not be the one that works for a retaining wall, and the needs of a fireplace are different from a water fountain basin.

Full dimensional stone is thicker and therefore heavier than thin veneer. The light weight of the thin approach is its primary advantage since it’s easier to handle, cut, trim, and set. On the other hand, the sheer visual solidity of full veneer is comforting to many a client.

Stone materials are diverse and offer great opportunities to create your personal vision. They can form just about any pattern, from brick bond to herringbone or the most imaginative and free-flowing customization. From contemporary feature walls to stove hoods, fireplaces to outdoor patios and BBQs, a quality stone veneer will help create the right look and feel to capture your vision. No matter what path you may choose in stone veneer, be certain to fully research product performance standards for each application and engage a qualified stone mason.

A swimming pool at home creates an additional gathering place for family and friends, adds an inviting and beautiful feature to the landscape (or interior), and offers a private area to relax, unwind or get some exercise. Regardless of the climate, it is about lifestyle.

The color values and shapes now available in architectural stone and tile allow for a broad selection from which you can design and produce the components of your swimming pool. Add customization capabilities and the assistance of MML and your project starts to be cost effective, easier to produce and more likely to deliver the best results. Materials Marketing has assisted architects and designers in the creation of some of the most original and elegant swimming pools.

The following are some ideas to help with your vision of installing the right pool for your client or home.

Here, the rectangular shape of the pool contrasts with, but also adds balance to, the patio archways on the home’s exterior, giving it a modern yet traditional look. We hear more and more clients requesting cleaner lines and lighter colored stones; this example demonstrates one style of swimming pool that meets today’s homeowners’ requests. Pattern options like this square and dot arrangement on the pool’s deck are but one of many possibilities.

From the classic rectangular pool to kidney shaped or even to the original design demonstrated here, our goal is to help each client achieve his or her creative vision. In this example, we installed a large square pattern pool deck in our Latte travertine that effectively complements the home’s exterior. A honed or distressed finish can be very important for in order to add more traction when dealing with a pool deck subject to standing water. To add contrast, the pool’s interior can be done in a darker colored tile or stone.

From exterior Olympic-size swimming pools to interior lap pools and everything in between, no job is too big or too small. Here is a prime example of an interior pool with stone architectural walls that are set-off with original lighting.

These are just a few ideas to help with your swimming pool design plan. It would be a pleasure to answer any of your questions regarding MML materials.

As previously discussed in this space, Materials Marketing Limited is proud to be aligned with the American Institute of Architects and their Continuing Education program. As an AIA CEU provider we offer a course, “Stone in Architecture”. One of the most significant talking points during the course presentation revolves around the selection of stone as an “art” rather than strictly a “science”.

Therefore, let’s discuss the use of marble and granite, and in the interest of “blog brevity”, we will focus on residential applications and set aside commercial uses for another day. We can begin with the science of the question. Granite is classified as an igneous stone that was formed from the cooling of molten materials beneath the Earth’s surface. Marble is a metamorphic stone formed by the alteration under pressure of igneous and sedimentary stones. In general, granite is usually harder and more dense than marble but in no way does that make it less useful as a residential stone.

An efficient way to discuss the two stone types in current residential design is by application. So let’s move through the home.

Tops

Firstly, distinguish between kitchen countertops and bath vanity tops. In general, granite is usually the better choice in the kitchen due to its inherent density, scratch and stain resistance. But please understand that granite is not entirely stain resistant and its lighter color values can show stain in the presence of aggressive agents such as red wine and ketchup. Marble, is less typically found in the kitchen, but can still succeed in this setting given certain parameters. A good example of a white marble that can perform in the kitchen is a very dense stone quarried in Danby, Vermont.

In a bathroom vanity application marble is generally more prevalent than granite. This is due to several factors not the least of which is the less demanding nature of the space from a technical standpoint. In most vanity application instances marble will present a greater range of fashion forward color values to the design team.

Flooring

Residentially, marble is a more typical flooring than granite. The less austere visual presented by a flowing veined marble is fairly easy to incorporate into a design plan. In many cases a granite floor may appear a tad utilitarian for current flooring design trends. With that said, a few notes of caution on marble as floor covering. Client expectations should be considered when selecting a particular stone especially as it relates to overall color value, color range and required maintenance. A perfectly fine marble installation can be hopelessly compromised if the client has other expectations rather rightly or wrongly conceived.

Wall covering

Again, in the residential world, marble is more prevalent than granite as a wall covering. In particular, marble is a sound choice for bathrooms walls. As noted in the section on flooring above, while a wonderful selection of color, pattern and veining is available for the design team to choose from, care must still be taken to properly set client expectations. Of additional concern is to make certain that all aspects of water proofing are considered. This would of course be true of any stone in a wet area.

In conclusion, the title of this article, “Marble vs. Granite” is somewhat disingenuous. This is not a “zero sum” game with an “either or” solution to be advanced. Accordingly, reach out to an expert, like the professionals in our eleven showrooms, for the specific advice that will guide you to success. Additionally, please feel free to comment on this post or contact me directly.

Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid

Bathroom remodels can be a dream come true — or your worst nightmare. A well designed and executed remodel, whether consisting of small-scale upgrades or a complete gutting of the space, will leave you with a room you can love and live in for decades.

When things go wrong, however, they can get ugly fast and have long-term consequences. A bathroom gets hot, cold, moist and dry — making it a tricky space. Electricity flows near running water, so a well-done job is imperative!

Want to skip the bathroom blues during your remodel? Avoid these six common mistakes on your way to updated bathroom success.

Inadequate Ventilation

Adequate bathroom ventilation is important to combat humidity, which can become a serious issue leading to very expensive repairs for mold remediation a few years later. A bathroom remodel will be expensive, but if you have any doubt about how much is enough, ask an expert. Even with properly installed ventilation, the fan has to run for it to work. No one likes to leave a bathroom fan running for hours, but you shouldn’t turn it off while the mirror is still fogged up. A small additional investment in a Leviton Countdown timer switch can save a lot of long-term expense and drama.

Breaking the Rules

Get a permit for the construction, and hire a licensed contractor to do a portion of the work or approve plans. Cutting corners and bypassing the middle man may save money — but beware. If you’re on the wrong side of the law, or any regulations, you might be breaching your homeowners insurance policy. If the work doesn’t stand the test of time, and you need to follow a claim, you could be denied payment.

Too Trendy

If you won’t like it in 20 years, it’s probably a poor choice for a long-term fixture. Instead of funky fabric drapes, choose quality Blindster roman shades that will stand up to daily use and be easy to keep clean. A hip, edgy sink and faucet might look great in the showroom, but will they look good in your home for years to come? Choose items that work well together and are a good canvas for accessories. If you want to change the feel of the room in five years, do it with towels and knick-knacks rather than replacing the floor tiles.

No Storage

Minimal and streamlined styles are trendy, but leaving things strewn about because you failed to identify what a room is used for is not so cool. You’ll need room to store bulky towels, washcloths and floor mats. Cleaning products are often kept where they are used, but no one wants to look at a plunger or a toilet brush. Make sure there is plenty of space to hang wet towels and to store infrequently used items like hot rollers and daily items like a hairdryer. Once you’ve figured out what bathroom storage items you need, add 20 percent more — you’ll find something to put there.

Using the Wrong Materials

Harsh cleaners and negligence can easily damage porous materials, such as natural stone. Wall paper can absorb moisture and start to show wear and tear long before it would in a different room. Never choose matte paint for a bathroom, and be cautious when selecting fiber-based furniture products. The safest bet is to choose quality items designed for bathroom use.

Overvaluing the Space

If you plan to sell your home within a few years, be cautious about how much money you sink into renovations. You don’t want to build equity on your home you can’t get back when you sell it. Furthermore, if one room is of significantly higher quality than every other room, the imperfections elsewhere become amplified to potential homebuyers.

By avoiding these six bathroom remodeling mistakes, you are more likely to create a useful, well-designed space you’ll love.

Value Engineering. (How to save money when using natural stone)

In the vernacular of the construction process, there are very few terms more important for the design team and the homeowner to understand than “value engineering”. Too often this process, and that is truly what it is, a “process”, is unfairly categorized as a cheapening of the end product in a simple effort to save money. There are certainly instances where the contracting entity and/or the design team and homeowner may be doing exactly that. However, there are also many scenarios that represent true building and contracting expertise being used to maintain real value at a reduced price. In the architectural stone industry, “value engineering” is the answer to the question, “how can homeowners save money when using natural stone”. Let’s take a little deeper dive into this process. Firstly, let’s identify what elements will constitute “architectural” stone. For the purpose of this exercise, we will include fireplaces (mantles and surrounds), column covers, window and door surrounds, and kitchen hoods and hearths. At Materials Marketing, we have a team of professionals in our Design and Engineering department. Say you contacted Mr. Roger Ramirez, (a 25 year plus veteran), and asked him about the value engineering of your project involving architectural elements in natural stone. He would start with discussing “mass and detail”.

In order to best understand that idea, please take a look at the drawing below:

As you can see in the original design on the left versus the value engineered design on the right, the element is much thicker and therefore carries more “mass” and weight in stone. That equates directly to increased labor and shipping charges. You can also note slightly less “detail” and that yields a decrease in production costs. In this instance, the result was a saving of almost $100.00 per linear foot. Assuming the esthetic result meets with the client’s approval, this would be an excellent example of how the process helped the homeowner save money in the cost of their architectural stone without a great sacrifice in design standards.

Another example of an easy idea to save money when using architectural stone is provided by Mr. Joe Martinez, also from the Materials Marketing D & E group. Joe suggests that you can always search for the “hidden” areas where stone mass exists but is not visible and where that mass provides no engineering advantage. As you can see in the very rough drawing below, the area cross hatched in red is no longer stone, since in Joes’ parlance this area is “hidden”. The stone is now segmented and used as a veneer or cladding.

In conclusion, plans as drawn by the design team can oft times be slightly adjusted in the value engineering process and still maintain high value and integrity. Take advantage of the expertise in the Materials Marketing Design and Engineering group by visiting one of our showrooms.