CHOOSING A SEALER
There are two broad categories of sealers: Enhancing Sealers and Impregnating Sealers. Each of these types of sealers has unique benefits and areas where they excel. The biggest difference is that enhancing sealers change the appearance of the stone while impregnating sealers leave a natural appearance.
Enhancing Sealers
An enhancing sealer is a protective coating that fills the pores and capillaries of the stone, highlighting its natural colors. These sealers create a tough, durable barrier that effectively protects against spills and stains.
Enhancing sealers are especially effective in high traffic areas, outdoor spaces, and on porous surfaces which can stain easily. They serve as a sacrificial layer, protecting the stone while making maintenance easier. Enhancing sealers are the most effective sealers for stain protection.
Enhancing sealers can be used on nearly any type of natural stone surface, except when the stone is polished or glazed, as the sealer generally will not bond and have trouble penetrating.
Impregnating Sealers
An impregnating sealer creates a transparent barrier to protect natural stone surfaces from water, oils, and staining.
Impregnating sealers work by chemically reacting with the stone. This forms a hydrophobic, invisible membrane, that inhibits water and oil molecules from penetrating the surface. Impregnating sealers do not alter a stone's natural appearance, leaving treated surfaces with a natural finish.
Impregnating sealers excel on surfaces that are wet frequently, areas that are exposed to oils, and on very dense or polished surfaces.
