4 Things to Do to Protect Marble, Stones, Floor for longlasting beauty|Expert's tips

Fabrizio Nicoli ’s expert words of advice on natural stonecare for luxury projects aesthetic and finishing. The natural stones are symbol of versatility, elegance and, exclusivity. Fabrizio Nicoli is based in the Middle East and has participated in many unique projects.

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A well-designed building is beautifully special and the product of exquisite materials and craftsmanship. One common aesthetic of a luxury project is natural stone, a symbol of versatility, elegance and, exclusivity. As General Manager for The Gulf Countries, Fabrizio Nicoli is based in the Middle East and has participated in many unique projects. We caught up with him to talk natural stone care, whether a museum or skyscraper; read on for Fabrizio’s expert words of advice…

Luxury Stone and Floor Protection | Q&A with Fabrizio

How do I look after new natural stone?

Educating our clients about stone is what we do best to help prolong the lifespan of surfaces! We firstly always recommend a post-installation clean once the new stone has been laid, which is pivotal to its ongoing care. This should then be followed by a sealer to protect against stains and hamper the absorption of water. Natural stone should also be cleaned on a regular basis to keep the sealer intact and ensure busy areas like lobbies can withstand high traffic.

"We all have something in common: we all care about quality and we want to protect the buidling for the longest period ever to achieve our customer satisfaction" Fabrizio Nicoli

How long will a sealer last?

If natural stone is maintained right using a neutral detergent and the UV value of the Region and the traffic on the surface is regular, a sealer could have a lifetime performance and warranty.

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How much does it cost to treat natural stone?

When it comes to luxury stone and flooring protection, there is no one-size-fits-all approach as the cost is dependent on a number of factors. These are things like the type of surface and the required finish, but we aim to keep our pricing structure completely transparent.

Will a sealer affect the stone in any way?

I get asked many questions like this or for instance, will a sealer affect the slip rating of a luxury stone bathroom floor? The answer is no, absolutely not and our claims can be backed by numerous third-party certification bodies. A penetrating NOT OIL based sealer won’t change the friction value of flooring or affect the look of the stone, even external paving under the strong sun.

Do you have a favorite project?

Every project is a favorite of mine because I simply can’t choose but there are some that do stand out. Mecca, in particular, was a splendid project, as was the Dubai Coca Cola Arena and the Address Sky View. I have also provided luxury stone and flooring protection at the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain Airport and Qatar's International Airport. We’re also worked on many pavilions at Expo 2020 - it’s a very exciting time for sure!

Fabrizio Nicoli ’s expert tips for luxury stone, flooring, interior Fit-out and landscape finishing protection

1. Never skip the initial clean of the surface

In some cases, we commonly find clients have not been fully informed on how to look after their natural stone. Stones like marble are vulnerable to staining, etching and pitching and so they need to be prepped to ensure that they last. For acid-sensitive stone, we suggest to perform an initial clean once the stone has been laid using a NEUTRAL PH7 detergent product, or a gentle tamponed acid for granite and porcelain tiles. This will ensure all cementitious grout and dirt from the installation has been removed and will set the stone up for life.

Unfortunately, what we find is water being used which doesn’t properly clean the stone. The tiles then pick up dirt quickly in which the contractor responds with an acidic product that leads to terrible stone etching. This can all be avoided if the stone is cleaned right the very first time after it has been laid.

2. Apply the sealer on a fully dry surface

Another point is the surface also needs to be dry, so never apply a sealer onto a wet stone. The product will simply sit on top of the wet surface and again underperform or not even perform at all.

3. Avoid applying sealer externally during the day

The best time of day to apply a sealer to external paving or natural stone facade cladding is early morning or late evening. If you apply under the hot daytime sun, the sealer can polymerize too quickly, and you run the risk of wasting both time and product.

4. Clean and disinfect the surfaces with neutral detergents

After the past year’s events, we all know the importance of sanitizing our homes and hands. The same goes for all public spaces to keep the virus at bay, but some sanitizers have potentially stone-damaging harsh chemicals. In fact, this is a common issue right now all over the world, and so it’s important to choose gentle products (PH7 neutral detergents) that will sanitize but not corrode natural stone.

Let's connect to learn more and ask me questions

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading Fabrizio’s advice on luxury stone and flooring protection and the options available to keep your stone looking its best. If you’re looking for further guidance, Leave a comment in the below comment area and let's connect in my socials and subscribe to my blog!

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Thanks, Fabrizio