For grouting purposes, TAL Quarrygrout, which is cement based, is suitable for filling wall and floor tile joints from 5mm up to 25mm wide. It is available in a variety of colours and is designed to inhibit moisture ingress and prevent bacterial and fungal growth.

 

Another grouting product - Stainfree - is specifically designed to reduce staining on highly porous tiles such as sandstone, slate and marble. It is suitable for filling wall and floor tile joints between 3mm and 12mm wide.

 

It is available in light grey and also inhibits moisture ingress and prevents bacterial and fungal growth.

 

Natural stone tile	Adhesive to use	Grout (dependent on tile colour and if tile is butt-jointed)
Travertine	Alcolin Mosaic Marble Fix	If required Alcolin Mosaic Marble Fix or Alcolin White Grout, Beige, Light Brown
Sandstone	Alcolin Mosaic Marble Fix	If required Alcolin Mosaic Marble Fix or Alcolin White Grout, Beige, Light Brown
Marble	Alcolin Mosaic Marble Fix	If required Alcolin Mosaic Marble Fix or Alcolin White Grout, Beige, Light Brown
Limestone	Alcolin Mosaic Marble Fix	If required Alcolin Mosaic Marble Fix or Alcolin White Grout, Beige, Light Brown
Slate	Alcolin Porcelain Fix	Alcolin Porcelain Fix or Alcolin Dove Grey Grout
Granite	Alcolin Porcelain Fix	Should be butt-jointed, no grouting required
Quartzite	Alcolin Porcelain Fix	Should be butt-jointed, no grouting required

 

Sealing and protecting

Natural stone floors are easy to maintain, but because most have a naturally porous structure, it is recommended that you seal them to make daily maintenance easier and to prevent staining.

 

Nielsen recommends the use of a penetrating or invisible sealer with most stones as this will protect the stone without changing its colour or give it a varnished look as surface sealers would do. 

 

Consulting a knowledgeable professional is recommended to ensure the perfect finish for your floors. Chantale Pretorius from Tile and Floor Care gives information on what products to use to seal and protect your stone floor.

 

*Travertine, marble and granite

Tile and Floor Care Invisible Sealer is an invisible clear silicone sealer that will maintain the natural look of your tile. “Invisible sealer may be used on low porosity tiles only, for example marble, granite and travertine, and will repel water and most oils,” says Pretorius. 

 

Invisible sealer is UV stable and suitable for interior and exterior applications. It penetrates into the tile and therefore maintains the anti-slip characteristics of the tile.

 

*Sandstone, brown slate and limestone

Tile and Floor Care HP Sealer is a durable twin-pack urethane sealer with extra stain resistance. According to Pretorius, HP Sealer has been thickened to make it suitable for medium to high porosity substrates like brown slate and sandstone. 

 

This sealer penetrates and bonds with the tile, thereby strengthening, sealing and protecting it from wear and tear. HP Sealer enhances the natural colour of the tile and dries to a matt/sheen finish. It is UV stable and can be used for interior and exterior applications.

 

HP Sealer is pre-measured to allow easy and accurate mixing.

 

Tile and Floor Care Natural Stone Sealer Satin is a tried and tested weather-proof solvent-based sealer system for natural stone tiles. It is simple to use and suitable for most types of natural porous tiles. 

 

Natural Stone Sealer Satin’s refined non-yellowing resin formula is easy to apply. It is an impregnating and surface sealer, therefore it enhances the colour of the tile and provides a satin finish. It dries quickly and cures quicker than most other un-accelerated sealers.

 

For those who prefer a matt finish, there is Tile and Floor Care Natural Stone Sealer Matt, with the same benefits as the satin version.

 

Tile and Floor Care Top Seal is a tough and durable surface sealer for interior and exterior applications that protects a tile’s surface from wear and tear.  “It can be used on slate tiles in high traffic areas as its pure formula gives it superior durability and finish,” says Pretorius. 

 

Top Seal is easy to apply and dries quickly to a gloss finish. It is water based, making it possible to wash and seal on the same day. 

 

Tile and Floor Care Smart Seal is the most advanced water-based sealer available as it incorporates the latest international technology. It is simple to use and cost effective and is suitable for most types of tiles except slate. Smart Seal is easy to apply and offers protection for your floors.

 

It allows for the shortest down time as wash and seal can take place within a few hours. It is also an impregnating sealer, and so does not change the tile’s surface characteristics. Smart Seal is a breathable sealer which allows for application to slightly damp areas. 

 

*Black slate and quartzite

Tile and Floor Care Deep Seal is a durable twin-pack urethane sealer with extra stain resistance. It penetrates and bonds with the tile, thereby strengthening, sealing and protecting it from wear and tear.

 

Deep Seal is suitable for low to medium porosity tiles like black slate and quartzite. Deep Seal enhances the natural colour of the tile and dries to a matt/sheen finish.  Deep Seal is UV stable and suitable for interior and exterior applications. 

 

Cleaning natural stone floors

For daily cleaning, a detergent with a neutral pH is recommended. Anything that is acid or alkaline based will damage the sealer and possibly the stone if the stone is exposed to prolonged use.

 

Pretorius recommends Tile and Floor Care Quick Clean, which is an economical (high dilution rate), hygienic and neutral cleaner for frequent tile cleaning. It contains antibacterial additives and is especially effective on porcelain tiles. 

 

Quick Clean contains no harmful chemicals and is biodegradable. It can be used on any tile and hard surface, including sealed surfaces, and will not break down sealers or polishes. 

 

Information supplied by:

Natural Stone Warehouse

Tile and Floor Care

Alcolin

TAL

 

Read about natural stone flooring options.