Do you want a barrier between your hearth and your kid’s sticky hands? Does the possibility of your stones efflorescing worry you? Do you want your hearth to have a glossy look to it? Because we get similar questions to these all the time, let’s talk about some options. The answer to all of the questions is simple, seal the stone. Rather than leaving your stone raw, sealing your stone will create a barrier and protectant onto the material. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about sealing your stone.
What is the purpose of a sealer?
Sealers have two purposes. The first is to protect the stone from staining & moisture. With a barrier between the raw stone and any penetration, the sealer protects the stone from possible staining & moisture. The second purpose is to alter the appearance of the stone. Although not all sealers will do this, many people seal their stone to change the color. If you want your stone to have a glossy look or a darker look, we have several sealers that will give you this option. While most people use these options on hearthstones, these sealers can be used in any application.
What types of sealer can I use?
There are two types of sealers. Topical and penetrating sealers. The topical sealer creates a film on the surface of the stone. Penetrating sealer soaks into the stone and sits below the surface for protection. Penetration sealer creates more surface durability, while topical controls the sheen of the sealer.
Will the sealer change the appearance of my stone?
Sealers will give two looks to the stone. Either leave the natural stone look or enhance the look of the stone. Several of our sealers maintain the natural look. Many people want the durability a sealer provides, but don’t want to change anything about the stone they selected. Sealers that provide a natural look will be perfect for their vision. While others may want to give a glossy look to their stone, we have many options that will do so. Another option is adding a satin or sheen finish. Similar to paint, the overall appearance of the stone is affected by the sheen of the sealer. While some sealers will provide a small sheen, others will provide just a satin finish. An HHDU Sales rep or designer can help you differentiate which will be best for your job.
How often should I seal the stone?
For a typical job, we recommend sealing the stone annually. If the stone is used on a water feature or something that will need higher durability, you can seal the stone every six months. We recommend regular upkeep on sealing the stone, as the sealer can still wear down. For a long-lasting look, sealers should be re-applied every year.
Application Methods
There are several ways or methods that the sealer can be applied. The biggest thing to look for when applying a sealer, is to apply it evenly. To achieve this, you can use a low-pressure sprayer, a brush, a paint roller, or even a sponge. The following video shows how we applied our Stone Glamour sealer with a sponge.
Sealing Stone Tutorial
The following photos show the same stone, before and after sealing.
Do you want to seal your stone? Our trained staff can help you determine which sealer will be best for your needs! Call in or come into one of our Showrooms and Design centers to get started!
