Sealing is a critical part of the tile installation process. It can protect your tile surfaces from unwanted dirt, stains, or spills. With an exceptional material, like natural stone, sealing your tile installation can ensure the natural stone will look phenomenal, stay secure, and last for years to come.
And, good news, it is not as complicated or time-consuming as you think! Sealing natural stone tile is actually straightforward and fairly simple.
Watch a short video overview below to see how to seal StoneImpressions tile, or keep reading to get a play-by-play of the sealing process.
How to Seal Natural Stone Tiles
First up, we need the right sealant product. Discover details about the sealants we recommend, below.
Sealant Details
Natural stone is a porous material by nature. Due to this material characteristic, you will need to seal your natural stone tiles with a penetrating, high-grade sealant. This type of sealant repels moisture from within the tile installation, while still allowing vapors to escape.
And the best part?
These sealants protect your natural stone tiles from water, oil, stains, and other contaminants without changing their appearance.
Recommended Sealants
The following are high-grade, penetrating sealants that are appropriate for StoneImpressions art tiles:
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- Miracle Plus 511 Porous Plus
- Aquamix Sealers Choice Gold
- Stonetech Bulletproof
- Van Hearron Stainguard
- Ocean Care High-Performance Penetrating Sealer
Uses
Advanced sealers, like Ocean Care, are designed to provide maximum protection for your natural stone tiles against oil and water-based stains. While sealers of this grade can be used on interiors and exteriors, StoneImpressions tiles should never be installed in exterior applications or submerged water applications. The proper sealant for natural stone tiles can be used on:
- Backsplashes
- Vanity Walls
- Accent Walls
- Bathroom Floors
- Powder Room Floors
- Fireplaces
- Stair Risers
- Ceiling Tile
Advantages
As we mentioned above, high-performance, penetrating sealants protect your natural stone tiles from unwanted stains or impurities. But, they also preserve the natural beauty and aesthetic of the stone tiles you select! With this type of protection (and proper ongoing care), your tile installation will be looking immaculate for years to come.
Expected Wear
The expected wear of your sealant mostly depends on the product you choose. Most sealants have an expected wear time of up to 5 years on interior surfaces. For the most accurate expected wear time, check the product information of the sealant of your choosing.
Cautions
Before you begin, remember to:
- Read all instructions before using your sealant of choice
- Use your sealant only as directed by the manufacturer
- Make sure your tile surface is completely clean before applying sealant
- Allow new grout to cure for a minimum of 72 hours before applying sealant
- Use your sealant in a well-ventilated area
With those words of caution, let’s dive into the process and learn exactly how to seal StoneImpressions tile!
The 7-Step Sealing Process
To start the sealing process with your natural stone tiles, you need to first ensure that the natural stone surface you’re working with is clean and free from waxes, coatings, debris, or other contaminants.
Step 1: Create a Clean Tile Surface
First, mark off any areas that you do not intend to seal. Then, clean your natural stone tiles by wiping down the tile with a sturdy, absorbant cloth, like the image shown below.
Step 2: Prep Sealant
Now, it’s time to turn our attention to the sealant.
To prepare the sealant for its surface application, you will need to shake the sealant a few times. Remember to make sure your sealant bottle cap is closed and securely in place before you start shaking to avoid unwanted messes!
Step 3: Evenly Apply Sealant to Tile Surface
Once the sealant is prepped, it’s time to apply!
For sealant application, you’ll want to have an applicator of some sort. You can use a clean cloth, paint pad, roller, brush, or low-pressure sprayer.
With your tool of choice in hand, liberally apply the sealant in an even coat across the tile surface.
Step 4: Wait 10-15 Minutes After Applying
After applying an even coat of sealant to your natural stone tile installation, you will want to wait about 10 to 15 minutes.
This time allows the sealant to penetrate the surface of the tile installation.
During this time, it’s imperative that you keep the surface wet with sealant. Do not let the sealant completely dry! During this timeframe, you can add more sealant as needed to ensure that the surface remains wet.
Step 5: Wipe Down Tile Surface
Once that time has elapsed and the sealant has penetrated the tile surface, you can wipe down your installation with a clean, absorbent towel.
Step 6: Let Sealant Fully Cure
Now that you’ve wiped down your sealed tile installation, it’s time to let the sealant fully cure.
Typically, a full cure can be achieved in 24-72 hours. After that time has passed, your natural stone tiles are ready for use!
Step 7: Maintenance & Ongoing Care
You might be wondering: how long does sealant typically last?
The truth is: it depends! It comes down to the sealant you use, the tile installation location, and how much wear and tear that space receives over time.
But, don’t worry! We’ve covered all the basics of re-sealing natural stone in our how-to guide: How Often Do You Have to Seal Natural Stone Tile? Peruse that post to see how often you should give a little TLC to your tile installation.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Looking for more natural stone knowledge? Discover the difference between sanded vs unsanded grout or which thinset you should use with your natural stone tiles today.
Ready for a study break? Check out the 2021 Artisan Stone Tile Collection or our array of Featured Centerpiece Tile Murals to get inspired for your next design project.