Insights into various stone floor sealers, their characteristics, and applications. This post offers valuable information for anyone seeking to understand the different types of tile sealants available in the market.
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Types of Tile Sealants
Stone floor sealers come in different types, each designed for specific purposes and offering unique benefits. Here are some of the most common tile sealants available on the market today. Regardless of which sealer you choose, regular maintenance will always be necessary to keep your floor looking its best for years to come.
1. Topical Sealers
Topical sealers consist of dense particles and are suitable for rough, porous tiles such as sandstone, tumbled limestone and riven slate. The sealer is like a thin varnish and sits on the surface of the stone to create a protective layer. They can be made of wax, acrylic, or polyurethane.
Topical sealers provide good water and stain resistance but if the liquids are left on the floor for a few hours, it will become milky white and start to dissolve.
Topical sealers can be easily scratched or worn away by sharp objects such as high heels, pet claws, or the legs of chairs. Because of this, they are best suited for low to medium traffic areas. They are not ideal for homes where sand is frequently brought inside or where furniture is often moved, such as around dining tables.
Topical sealers are not suitable for wet rooms which tend to build up moisture below the sealer, causing the sealer to become milky opaque and start to peel off the stone.
When applying topical sealers to floors, we take great care to ensure a smooth and even finish. Our team applies the sealer by hand, keeping the coating thin around edges and within grout lines to achieve a professional, balanced look. This meticulous approach not only enhances the floor’s appearance but also makes future maintenance simpler and more cost-effective. While we generally recommend impregnating sealers for most situations, topical sealers can be an excellent choice for households where protection against acidic spillages is a priority.
2. Impregnating Sealers
Impregnating sealers are designed to protect stone surfaces from within rather than forming a visible layer on top. Made from materials such as siloxane, silane, or fluoropolymer, these sealers contain fine particles that penetrate deep into the stone, providing durable, below-surface protection. Once absorbed and cured, they form a hard, long-lasting barrier that resists both water and oil-based stains, making them ideal for high-traffic areas. Because the protection lies beneath the surface, it doesn’t wear away through foot traffic. The sealer itself is not visible and unless you do a water droplet test, you would never know that the floor was sealed.
The invisible nature of impregnating sealers means your stone floor must be polished to the desired level of shine before the sealer is applied. To achieve this, we use diamond abrasive pads that smooth the surface and bring out the stone’s natural lustre. The shine you see comes from the stone itself, not from the sealer applied afterward.
At Tile Cleaning Agents, we commonly use impregnating sealers for calcium carbonate stone restoration projects, including limestone floor sanding, marble polishing, travertine restoration, and slate sealing.Â
Impregnating sealers can be weakened or dissolved by spillages that are highly acidic, highly alkaline, or very hot. Common examples include:
Acidic spillages (low pH):
Vinegar
Lemon or other citrus juices
Wine
Cola and other soft drinks
Tomato sauce
Cleaning products containing acid (like limescale removers)
Alkaline spillages (high pH):
Bleach
Ammonia-based cleaners
Oven cleaners
Strong detergents or degreasers
Hot spillages (high temperature):
Boiling water
Hot oil or grease
Hot beverages such as coffee or tea
These types of spillages can break down or etch the sealer, reducing its effectiveness and leaving the stone vulnerable to stains and damage.
3. Enhancing Sealers
These sealers are available in topical sealers as well as impregnating sealers. They darken and enrich the colour of the stone while providing protection. They are suitable for enhancing the natural beauty of the stone. The most popular stone restoration services that require this colour enhancing sealer is dark limestone restoration and marble floor polishing such as Marquina marble and green serpentine marble. Dark slate sealing services are also sometimes finished with this colour enhancer sealer.Â
Pro’s and Con’s of Different Tile Sealers
Impregnating sealers are dissolved by spillages that have a high pH, a low pH or high temperature. They do not prevent acidic spillages from etching carbonic stone. When applying an impregnating sealer, we need to ensure that your stone is polished to the shine that you want before we apply the sealer, because the sealer makes no difference to the appearance of the stone.
Topical sealers can be worn off quickly in high traffic areas. This is especially true if the sealer was applied to a smooth surface. This is why we never recommend a topical sealer for smooth limestone, marble or travertine. In some cases a topical sealer may be suitable for a tumbled floor, which tends to have a textured surface, making it a suitable substrate for the sealer to bond to the stone.
Topical sealers do offer a darkening effect on stone, however it’s not as dark as Colour Enhancer sealers. This topical sealer is great for Victorian tile maintenance. This is because Victorian tiles tend to be porous. The rough texture helps the sealer to bond. This topical sealer enhances the colour of Victorian tiles to some degree. The greatest benefit of this final refinishing process is that it gives the old floor a silky smooth texture and helps to keep the floor clean.
We can never offer an guarantee for topical sealers, whereas an impregnating sealer, because it soaks into the stone, is protected by the stone immediately above it. It can’t be scraped off. Our most popular sealer is Dry Treat Premium Impregnating sealer. It has a high-end cost, however the supplier does offer a long term warranty on their quality product. We use this product because it’s easy to work with, and we know that our customers will always be satisfied.
The advantage of a topical sealer is that it does offer better protection against spillages that would otherwise dissolve impregnating sealer. Such spillages would be slightly acidic such as lemon juice, vinegar, wine, etc.
Both types of sealers can be dissolved by extreme chemicals such as harsh floor cleaning solutions. They can also be dissolved by hot foods and beverages.
How to choose the right type of sealer
Choosing the right sealer depends on several factors:
- Type of Stone: Different types of stone (marble, granite, limestone, etc.) have varying porosities and reactions to sealers. Some may benefit from penetrating sealers, while others might work well with topical or enhancing sealers.
- Location and Use: High-traffic areas benefit from penetrating sealers due to their durability. Topical sealers may suffice for low-traffic or decorative areas where appearance enhancement is desired. Topical sealers should not be used in rooms with a high moisture content because it would eventually peel off the stone. During our bathroom stone restorations we always prefer to finish off with impregnating sealers. Â
- Desired Finish: If the stone’s natural appearance needs to be altered or enhanced, an enhancing sealer might be suitable. For rough surfaces, a topical sealer can create a smooth surface. For carbonic stone we prefer to polish the stone to a desired finish before sealing it with an impregnating sealer.Â
- Your budget: Whichever type of stone or tile you may have, there’s bound to be a sealer that meets your budget. If you’re concerned or have any questions please get in touch.Â
How Much Do Tile Sealers Cost
As for costs, these can vary significantly based on several factors:
- Type of Sealer: Impregnating sealers tend to be more expensive than topical ones due to their durability and deeper penetration.
- Type of Stone: Some types of stone are very porous and absorb much more sealer than denser stone such as smooth marble. Examples of porous stone would be certain types of limestones, sandstone.Â
- Quality: Higher-quality sealers often come at a higher cost but may offer better protection and longevity.
- Coverage Area: Costs can vary based on the square footage the sealer covers. Some sealers require multiple coats for effectiveness.
- Professional Application: If you hire professionals for application, the labour costs will also add to the overall expense.
What is the difference between water-based and solvent-based sealer?
The main differences between water-based and solvent-based sealers are as follows:
- VOC Content: Water-based sealers have lower volatile organic compound (VOC) content compared to solvent-based sealers, making them more environmentally friendly and safer to use.Â
- Appearance and Odour: Solvent-based sealers may result in a slight wet-look finish and have a strong odour, while water-based sealers offer a matte finish and have a milder odour.Â
- Penetration and Coverage: Solvent-based sealers have smaller particles and can penetrate dense and highly polished surfaces, while water-based sealers go on thin and provide more coverage.Â
- Application: Water-based sealers are easier to clean up and are not flammable, making them safer to apply, especially in enclosed areas.Â
- Regulations and Safety: Due to regulations and advancements in technology, many water-based sealers can now hold their own against solvent-based sealers in terms of durability and performance.
It’s important to consider the specific requirements of your stone flooring, the expected foot traffic, desired appearance, and your budget before selecting a sealer. Consulting with a stone flooring professional can provide valuable guidance tailored to your situation.