Cleaning Natural Stone May 8, 2012

Taking care of your natural stone does not need to be difficult. There are a couple of do’s and don’ts to know but basically you just need to use a cleaner especially designed for natural stone. Natural stone is very porous so the best way to prevent stains is to treat the surface with a protective sealer at the time of installation. The sealer fills in the pores and repels spills on the surface, allowing you time to completely wipe spills away. If your tile has not been sealed you can thoroughly clean your tile and apply a good sealer. Once your stone is sealed you can simply dust mop your floors frequently using a clean non treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness, therefore if you use mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance you will help to minimize tracking in the sand, dirt and grit. Make sure you use non-slip padding under your mat or area rug.

When using a cleaner on Natural Stone only use a neutral pH cleaner — you never want to use anything acidic on natural stone surfaces as they can ruin the surface of the stone. Never use cleaners containing acids, scouring powder, abrasive bathroom or soft kitchen cleaners, vinegar or lemon juice. So, all you margarita drinkers out there:  no limes on the counter tops!

For your peace of mind Carpets Plus has a variety of worry free cleaning products, sealers and area rug padding that will keep your natural stone looking great. My favorite stone cleaner is Carpets Plus “All in one Cleaner and Polish” for natural stone; we have plenty in stock at our store amongst other specialized cleaners. If your tile is looking a bit tiered we also have restoration products to give your natural stone a little lift in life.

Visit our website for details on cleaners we carry. www.steamboatcarpetsplus.com

Slate May 2, 2012

This picture is of both slate and quartzite, do you know the difference? It can be quite misleading. The outer two stones are slate and the inner two quartzite.

Slate is often used for flooring, wall tile and deco tiles. It is Mother Nature at its best and is very popular for entryways and public areas. The beauty of slate is its variation of color and the variation of texture of its surface. In Steamboat Springs you will often see slate in entryways as it hides the dirt and its irregular surface is more slip resistant which helps when people are walking around in ski boots!

Slate should be sealed to improve durability and appearance and increase stain resistance. Slate can be bought either gauged, meaning that the back surface is ground for ease of installation, or un-gauged. In either case the surface of the slate retains its natural clef so even if the surface gets chipped by the odd ski boot it will not affect its appearance as the color goes all the way through.

Check out our slate installations at CMC Bristol Hall, Millennium Bank, Victoria building downtown and Steamboat Motors.

Visit us at our website: http://steamboatcarpetsplus.com/

Limestone April 25, 2012

Travertine and limestone are both sedimentary rocks composed of grains; however, most grains in limestone are skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral. Travertine is a banded, compact variety of limestone formed along streams, particularly where there are waterfalls, and around hot or cold springs.

There are far more geological similarities than differences between travertine and limestone. Both are formed by the settling of plants, animals, sea shells, sand, and mud on the sea beds. As millions of years pass, this sediment continues to settle and the weight of additional settlement causes the limestone and travertine to compress and harden. This process creates the fossils frequently found in both of these stones. If, at this stage, hot water rich in carbon dioxide from hot springs percolates through the limestone and dissolves some of the stone leaving behind inclusions, holes or voids, travertine is formed. As the water resurfaces, the sudden drop in pressure and change in temperature causes the water to release carbon dioxide gas. The calcium carbonate or limestone then re-crystallizes as travertine.

Limestone is a good building material, especially for cathedrals, since you can carve it easily. It does get eroded by being dissolved slowly by rain, especially acid rain. Limestone, like all natural stone should be sealed and can be maintain by a neutral pH cleaner, you never want to use anything acidic on natural stone surfaces as they can ruin the surface of natural stone.

Stop by Carpets Plus and test your skills at distinguishing these two products, and check out our inexpensive cleaners.

Carpets Plus 1580 Pine Grove Road, Steamboat Springs, CO

Travertine April 17, 2012

Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, often at the mouth of a hot spring or in a limestone cave. In the U.S., the most well-known place for travertine formation is Yellowstone National Park, where the geothermal areas are rich in travertine deposits.

Travertine is often used as a building material. The Romans mined deposits of travertine for building temples, aqueducts, monuments, bath complexes, and amphitheaters such as the Coliseum, the largest building in the world constructed mostly of travertine.

Because travertine is such a porous material, it should be sealed before use in construction or renovation projects. It is most commonly used for counter-tops and flooring, but may also be used in showers and tub surrounds as well as in exterior decor.

Travertine is available in different colors and finishes, from natural, neutral colors such as creamy white and beige to tan and reddish brown. The color depends quite a bit on the impurities and iron content of the stone. The different finishes include honed, polished, chiseled and tumbled. Honed travertine is smooth, but unlike polished, it has a matte finish. Polished travertine is smooth, buffed and polished until shiny. Tumbled travertine has a rougher, textured finish and often has rounded corners for an antique look. Remember just because a stone may be shiny it doesn’t mean it is sealed.

Never use cleaners that contain vinegar or citrus oils on travertine. Even water can be harmful to the texture of travertine if it is allowed to sit on the stone for long periods of time.

Travertine is imported mostly from Italy, Iran, Mexico, Turkey, and Peru. A decade ago, Italy had a near-monopoly on the world travertine market.

John Vande Velde, Terry’s son outside Rome’s Coliseum, the largest building in the world constructed mostly of travertine.

Carpets Plus stock travertine in Steamboat Springs and have many other travertine’s available within a week of ordering. www.steamboatcarpetsplus.com

Granite April 10, 2012

Granite is probably the most known stone used in the home. Granite is very grainy in appearance with the crystals in the granite being clearly visible. Granite was formed from the magma of a volcano; it cooled very slowly creating large crystals in the stone. Granite is a tough, durable rock composed primarily of three different minerals. These minerals are easy to see due to their different colors. The white mineral grains found in granite are feldspar. It is the most abundant mineral found in granite. The light gray, glass-like grains are quartz, and the black, flake-like grains are biotite or black mica.

Granite is often used in the kitchen for both flooring and counter tops. It has a Moh hardness rating of 7 – 8 and is a very dense stone that resists heat and is difficult to scratch. Granite colors run from light colors such as white, sand and gold to dark colors such as black and green. Neutral colors such as beige, brown and grey tend to be very popular in most homes.

Like all natural stones, granite will need to be sealed with a good quality penetrative sealer once installed. To check that your granite has been sealed properly, sprinkle some water on it.  If the water beads up on the surface of the granite, it has a good seal. To maintain your granite, regularly dry dust using a clean cloth and damp wipe as needed. Always use a stone cleaner or a mild, neutral detergent. Never use products that contain acids such as lemon. Quickly wipe up spills to avoid absorption into the stone. If your granite has absorbed oil or impurities from water, use a stone poultice to help restore the stone. Poultices are spread over the stone and covered with a sheet of plastic. The poultice draws the stain from inside the granite to the surface so it can be cleaned.

Visit our website www.steamboatcarpetsplus.com for recommended maintenance products.

Marble March 23, 2012

Marble is a stone that started out as a limestone; the limestone over time recrystallized due to heat and pressure under the earth’s crust. Marble comes in a wide range of colors. The color of the marble is determined by what impurities were present in the limestone in its early days of life. Its main characteristics are heavy veining, graininess and beauty of color.

Once installed marble will need to be sealed with a good quality penetrative sealer. This will prevent water and other liquids penetrating the marble. A good sealer will last for approx. 5 years depending on usage. Sealer is a liquid that is easily applied using a sponge and can be done by the homeowner; but remember to clean first, dirt sealed in is dirt for life!

Marble due to its MOH’s hardness rating of 2.5 – 5 is more suitable for master bathroom floors rather than an entry or kitchen floor. Granite has a rating of 7 – 8 and would be better suited to areas with heavier use. To maintain your marble regular dry dust mopping using a clean cloth and damp mopping as needed; and remember Mother Nature has the last say in variation and strength.

This is my master bathroom which we tiled in marble and porcelain tile on the floor with a marble insert and deco to tie it all in. I love it!

Visit our website www.steamboatcarpetsplus.com for recommended sealers and cleaning products.

The relative hardness of Natural Stone March 8, 2012

Learn the relative hardness of Natural Stone.

One of my favorite flooring materials is natural stone. The most common natural stones are marble, granite, travertine, limestone, slate and quartzite. One of the best qualities of natural stones is that no two stones are alike. Because stone is made in nature, its colors vary, making it more beautiful. When considering using natural stones in your house or in a project, you will want to consider their properties to determine which natural stone is best for the job. One of the most important properties of natural stone to consider is its hardness. The harder the stone the less likely it will scratch. On the “Mohs” hardness scale where 1 is the softest and 10 the hardest the following stones are;

Marble          2.5 – 5

Granite          7 – 8

Travertine     3 – 4

Limestone     3 – 4

Slate              2.5 – 4

Quartzite       7

Based on the above hardness my preferences are to use granite on kitchen counter tops and marbles and travertine in the bathroom.

Check put our Website www.steamboatcarpetsplus.com for available products.