Brushed limestone flooring help/advice please
Discussion
I saw some of this the other day and massively covet it in my kitchen.
However one obvious thing is making me hesitate.
It has little blemishes (you could almost call them holes) which look like they might collect dirt making cleaning it an absolute nightmare and realistically, considering my wifes domestic vigilance (lack of), I would end up with an extremely expensive floor that just looked permanently dirty.
Of course the salesman assured us that it was easy to maintain and just required the occasional vacuum and weekly mop, but I don't trust salesman or my wife thus have a dilemma.
ANyone shed any light on this issue?
However one obvious thing is making me hesitate.
It has little blemishes (you could almost call them holes) which look like they might collect dirt making cleaning it an absolute nightmare and realistically, considering my wifes domestic vigilance (lack of), I would end up with an extremely expensive floor that just looked permanently dirty.
Of course the salesman assured us that it was easy to maintain and just required the occasional vacuum and weekly mop, but I don't trust salesman or my wife thus have a dilemma.
ANyone shed any light on this issue?
blindswelledrat said:
I saw some of this the other day and massively covet it in my kitchen.
However one obvious thing is making me hesitate.
It has little blemishes (you could almost call them holes) which look like they might collect dirt making cleaning it an absolute nightmare and realistically, considering my wifes domestic vigilance (lack of), I would end up with an extremely expensive floor that just looked permanently dirty.
Of course the salesman assured us that it was easy to maintain and just required the occasional vacuum and weekly mop, but I don't trust salesman or my wife thus have a dilemma.
ANyone shed any light on this issue?
In a previous life I have fitted and repaired a number of trav floors. Unfilled travertine is possible one of the worst tiled finishes to install in high humidity/foot traffic/needing constant cleaning areas. Travertine is very porous. It will absorb water/ oil/ bodily oils....anything really. The 'pits' will pick up lint and dirt and combined with the above mentioned will very quickly give you a dirty and very smelly floor.However one obvious thing is making me hesitate.
It has little blemishes (you could almost call them holes) which look like they might collect dirt making cleaning it an absolute nightmare and realistically, considering my wifes domestic vigilance (lack of), I would end up with an extremely expensive floor that just looked permanently dirty.
Of course the salesman assured us that it was easy to maintain and just required the occasional vacuum and weekly mop, but I don't trust salesman or my wife thus have a dilemma.
ANyone shed any light on this issue?
Filled trav, either polished or matt is the answer. You MUST still seal it correctly before fitting though and seal again every 18 months or so depending on the wear. It will last for ever if fitted and treated correctly- looks beautiful too, colours from a very light cream through to deep red/orange.
Be very carefully that your substrate is prepared properly too. Trav is very brittle and does not tolerate movement, especially if you have Under floor heating, you MUST condition the floor , by bringing it up to temperature correctly.
However! You can save yourself a lot of trouble by going for Travertine effect porcelain tiles. Look the same and care and wear properties are so much better. Although, I must admit, there is nothing like a well fitted trav floor.
Happy to send you some pics of my work, if you want an idea of effect?
HTH
Edited by TVR1 on Monday 17th October 19:12
We have a filled and honed travertine floor in one part of our UK place. I seal it every 6 months just to make sure, maybe overkill but there is no way I want it to suffer damage.
It looks ace but is damned cold in winter without underfloor heating, but superb in summer. Fortunately in the part where we have it the lack of underfloor heating really isn't an issue.
It looks ace but is damned cold in winter without underfloor heating, but superb in summer. Fortunately in the part where we have it the lack of underfloor heating really isn't an issue.
Thanks all.
I'm a little ignorant to natural stones. What is travertine as opposed to limestone?
Where you use the word 'filled' , I can understand what you mean but have no idea whether this product falls into that category. The chap said it definitely needed to be sealed and satined (my word- I can't remember the exact conversatio)
Can you shed any light with regards to the specific product?
http://www.mandarinstone.com/products/limestone/ba...
Thanks
I'm a little ignorant to natural stones. What is travertine as opposed to limestone?
Where you use the word 'filled' , I can understand what you mean but have no idea whether this product falls into that category. The chap said it definitely needed to be sealed and satined (my word- I can't remember the exact conversatio)
Can you shed any light with regards to the specific product?
http://www.mandarinstone.com/products/limestone/ba...
Thanks
Oh, and we were originally going to have natural slate flags until we saw those limestone ones. Realistically are they a lot more sensible?
http://www.mandarinstone.com/products/slate/black_...
http://www.mandarinstone.com/products/slate/black_...
blindswelledrat said:
Thanks all.
I'm a little ignorant to natural stones. What is travertine as opposed to limestone?
Where you use the word 'filled' , I can understand what you mean but have no idea whether this product falls into that category. The chap said it definitely needed to be sealed and satined (my word- I can't remember the exact conversatio)
Can you shed any light with regards to the specific product?
http://www.mandarinstone.com/products/limestone/ba...
Thanks
Right, Travertine is Limestone.All Limestones are a type of sedimentary rock. 'Limestone' is formed by being layed down over many millions of years by fossilised remains at the bottom of (former oceans)...Travertine differs in that it is a terrestrial rock formed by mineral springs.I'm a little ignorant to natural stones. What is travertine as opposed to limestone?
Where you use the word 'filled' , I can understand what you mean but have no idea whether this product falls into that category. The chap said it definitely needed to be sealed and satined (my word- I can't remember the exact conversatio)
Can you shed any light with regards to the specific product?
http://www.mandarinstone.com/products/limestone/ba...
Thanks
For your purposes, not much difference.
What is different is how you finish/treat them. looking specifically at the product you have linked, it is limestone but has had a different factory finish, to appear as slate. You may note that brushed Limestone is unsuitable for sealing as it already has a wax coating. If you really want the look of slate rather than Travertine/Marble, go for slate. It has it's own problems too but any decent tile fixer should A) know about them or B) research it beore tryin to fix them. Oh, and get underfloor heating fitted with slate!
Linky to the brushed thingy...
http://www.tileandstoneblog.co.uk/limestone/antiqu...
I used to have natural limestone on the downstairs floor - honestly go for something else. It was a nightmare in the kitchen with spills and it isn't very tough (can chip it easily). There are many imitation limestone tiles now (e.g. ceramic) that are more durable. I also put a limestone counter-top in a bathroom. Also a nightmare.
Choose an imitation limestone or a different stone. You wil regret it otherwise
Choose an imitation limestone or a different stone. You wil regret it otherwise
Thanks all.
Im just confused now.
I phoned a different branch of the same shop to talk to a different person, armed with this new found scepticism and simply asked:
"IM undecided between the natural slate and the bassano limestone- which is easier to maintain and more suitable for a kitchen" and was told categorically that the limestone was much more durable, harder to chip or damage and sealed much better than slate. They conceeded that slate could be described as 'easier' if you are happy that the natural character of slate is to mark and scratch which polishes itself out over time.
THis is completely at odds with your advice. Do limestone varieties differ in charachter/durability?
Im just confused now.
I phoned a different branch of the same shop to talk to a different person, armed with this new found scepticism and simply asked:
"IM undecided between the natural slate and the bassano limestone- which is easier to maintain and more suitable for a kitchen" and was told categorically that the limestone was much more durable, harder to chip or damage and sealed much better than slate. They conceeded that slate could be described as 'easier' if you are happy that the natural character of slate is to mark and scratch which polishes itself out over time.
THis is completely at odds with your advice. Do limestone varieties differ in charachter/durability?
blindswelledrat said:
I saw some of this the other day and massively covet it in my kitchen.
However one obvious thing is making me hesitate.
It has little blemishes (you could almost call them holes) which look like they might collect dirt making cleaning it an absolute nightmare and realistically, considering my wifes domestic vigilance (lack of), I would end up with an extremely expensive floor that just looked permanently dirty.
Of course the salesman assured us that it was easy to maintain and just required the occasional vacuum and weekly mop, but I don't trust salesman or my wife thus have a dilemma.
ANyone shed any light on this issue?
My lovely Wife (She's bound to read this However one obvious thing is making me hesitate.
It has little blemishes (you could almost call them holes) which look like they might collect dirt making cleaning it an absolute nightmare and realistically, considering my wifes domestic vigilance (lack of), I would end up with an extremely expensive floor that just looked permanently dirty.
Of course the salesman assured us that it was easy to maintain and just required the occasional vacuum and weekly mop, but I don't trust salesman or my wife thus have a dilemma.
ANyone shed any light on this issue?
) Works as a manager for Mandarin Stone at their Head Office in Monmouth. I'll ask Her tonight to post some help for you 
blindswelledrat said:
dickymint said:
My lovely Wife (She's bound to read this ) Works as a manager for Mandarin Stone at their Head Office in Monmouth. I'll ask Her tonight to post some help for you
Lovely, thanks. ) Works as a manager for Mandarin Stone at their Head Office in Monmouth. I'll ask Her tonight to post some help for you My last place was entirely limestone floored when I moved in. It is an absolute git to look after. Spills cause stains very easily, it chips very easily, cracks easily you name it. It's a soft pourous stone and very fragile compared to alteratives.
If you do go for it you need to ideally reseal it every 12 months with specialist sealant to avoid any spills soaking in too quickly.
The worst area by far was the kitchen with oil splashes, drinks spills etc. I spent a lot of time trying numerous ways to shift marks on the floor. If you do go for it a vanish oxi and water solution worked wonders compared to any of the expensive cleaning products I tried.
I wouldn't put it in myself having lived with it previously.
If you do go for it you need to ideally reseal it every 12 months with specialist sealant to avoid any spills soaking in too quickly.
The worst area by far was the kitchen with oil splashes, drinks spills etc. I spent a lot of time trying numerous ways to shift marks on the floor. If you do go for it a vanish oxi and water solution worked wonders compared to any of the expensive cleaning products I tried.
I wouldn't put it in myself having lived with it previously.
blindswelledrat said:
and was told categorically that the limestone was much more durable, harder to chip or damage and sealed much better than slate. THis is completely at odds with your advice.
The important part is "than slate". Honestly - go with an imitation tile. We've re-done the flooring downstairs with a ceramic and trust me it wears better, keeps its sheen, no need to re-seal, almost impossible to scratch. Natural limestone (and other stones come to think of it) = great idea but in a practical world with children and dogs they are just a pain in the rear.
I'd always planned to go with some imitation be it ceramic or karndean-esque.
And then I made the mistake of looking at some natural stone and it has completely put me off the artificial stuff.
I actually know that you are right and that Ill regret buying stone of any type, but Ill also regret buying imitation as I will always think of it as 'fake' floor.
The irritating think is that either option will be really expensive and Ill regret it.
And then I made the mistake of looking at some natural stone and it has completely put me off the artificial stuff.
I actually know that you are right and that Ill regret buying stone of any type, but Ill also regret buying imitation as I will always think of it as 'fake' floor.
The irritating think is that either option will be really expensive and Ill regret it.
blindswelledrat said:
I phoned a different branch of the same shop to talk to a different person, and was told categorically that the limestone was much more durable, harder to chip or damage and sealed much better than slate.
Do limestone varieties differ in charachter/durability?
Like many things, you do get what you pay for and it depends on where the shop/wholesaler sources it. A couple of links for you, the first one is all about properties, cleaning and maintainance of different stone and the second one is of a company I used a number of times. They are far better value than retail shops and will let you choose the block your travertine comes from if so required...Do limestone varieties differ in charachter/durability?
http://www.ethosmarblecare.co.uk/stonecleaning/sla...
http://stoneville.co.uk/
blindswelledrat said:
Interesting stuff, thanks. Ill give that company a ring and have a chat
Not quite sure where you are in London but if West is too far tryhttp://www.ashlarmason.co.uk/
They are up by Staples Corner. Used them to bevel rectified porcelain to match tiles on another job. They do beautiful (read expensive) work. Showroom is good but if you make a visit ask them to show you the warhouse...if you like a bit of stone, what they have tucked away out the back will make you cry!
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff