how to seal natural stone tile: your questions, our answers

and that often brings up the issue of whether you need to seal natural stone. as fans of patina, we don’t believe that it’s absolutely necessary. and we’re joined by those who’ve lived with centuries-old stone in storied cities throughout europe, the middle east, and central and south america. we love the softening, the character that natural stone develops — and the character it lends to any space it graces.

but, there are those who prefer a more preserved appearance. and for those, sealing will help preserve the appearance of your stone tile (though never to its original state) and may help streamline everyday maintenance.

whether your stone of choice is marble, travertine, limestone, or slate, here’s everything you need to know about sealing stone tile (and then some).

does natural stone tile need to be sealed?

yes, technically all natural stone tile should be sealed due to its porous nature. this prevents staining and helps repel water, which can darken stone’s appearance over time.

marble, travertine, and limestone tile, in particular, benefit from sealing because they are relatively porous materials and more prone to staining. slate tile, while not very porous, also needs to be sealed to protect the surface from stains, scratches, and excess moisture.

what is the purpose of sealing natural stone tile?

the main purpose of sealing natural stone tile is to protect it from substances that could sink into its porous surface. oils, chemicals, water—they all can seep into stone and alter its appearance (or even damage the finish). stone sealers work by penetrating the stone’s surface and repelling those substances from within.

as they say: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

sealing isn’t a one-time event, either. during installation, natural stone tile is typically sealed before grouting, then once more after the grouting has fully cured. after installation, stone tile should be resealed regularly.

it’s important to note that sealing does not make your tile completely impervious to stains, scratches, and other types of damage. common-sense care is best here, including regular maintenance to keep dirt and dust from building up. when spills and drips happen, they should be cleaned as quickly as possible using a mild, ph neutral soap.

what sealer is best for natural stone tile?

generally speaking, we recommend penetrating, aka impregnating, sealers over topical sealers for stone tile. penetrating sealers seep into the tile, as opposed to topical sealers which create a physical barrier over the tile. this allows the stone to breathe while still offering protection.

that said, there are many different stone tile sealers—and many different factors to consider when choosing a sealer for your tile. what’s best for a marble-tile shower floor, for example, will be different from what’s best for slate tile installed outdoors. you might even find that a topical sealer is best for your project.

consult your contractor here, who can offer recommendations based on your particular installation. it’s also a good idea to contact the sealer manufacturer directly to confirm that a particular sealer is a good match for your tile.

how to seal natural stone tile

sealing natural stone tile is a multi-step process—one that involves thorough cleaning, masking off surfaces, and meticulously timed application. for this reason, sealing is best handled by an experienced professional.

sealing starts during the installation process, as your contractor will seal your stone tile before grouting to protect the tile from any stains from the grout itself. once the grout has fully cured, your contractor should seal the tile once more to give it a final protective finish.

when it’s time to reseal your stone tile, get in touch with your contractor, who can help ensure your tile remains well sealed for years to come.

the benefits of resealing regularly

while we fully embrace the natural patina that makes stone surfaces feel like heritage finishes, we understand that some may wish to have their stone tile look new for as long as possible. if you fall into that category, you may consider having it refinished every year or so, along with regular resealing.

whether you opt for refinishing or not (and again, we prefer not to refinish) regular resealing goes a long way in protecting your tile investment. it isn’t just about stains, either, though that is certainly part of it. below are some of the many, many benefits of consistent resealing.

stain and etching protection

natural stone is famously porous, which means it will absorb liquids when not properly sealed. this is problematic with stain-causing substances, of course—and even more so with acidic ones that can etch into the surface. (we’re looking at you, wine, coffee, juice, and tomato sauce.) even water will darken an unsealed stone surface.

regular resealing maintains a protective barrier that keeps these substances from penetrating the stone’s surface. in other words: it stops the stains and etching before they happen.

water resistance

as we noted, even water can darken porous tile when it isn’t properly sealed. but that’s not the only risk water poses. what unsealed stone is exposed to excess moisture over time, mold and mildew can make themselves at home (off-putting, we know).

if you have stone tile installed in a high-moisture area like the bathroom or kitchen, this makes it all the more important to reseal.

easier maintenance

perhaps you’ve heard of the water test for stone. drop a little water on it and watch: if it beads up, your tile is properly sealed. if it seeps into the surface, it’s time to reseal.

now, apply this to spills and dirt. properly sealed tile is easier to maintain because these things stay on the surface, rather than penetrating the stone and becoming ingrained. when spills happen, proper sealing also gives you more time to prevent stains and damage to the tile.

longer-lasting tile

whether you’ve chosen that perfectly white marble tile and want it to maintain its natural beauty, or you’re looking to keep stains off of your new pantry pavers, regular resealing is one of the best ways to protect your stone tile investment. normal wear and tear is inevitable—and beautiful, in our opinion—but resealing keeps major signs of wear to a minimum as your tile ages.

how often should natural stone tiles be sealed?

a number of factors play into how often you should seal stone tile—namely, the type of stone, where you’ve installed it, how much traffic it sees, and how much moisture it’s exposed to.

stone tile on a low-traffic indoor wall that has no exposure to moisture may go as long as five years before needing to be resealed. tiles on a high-traffic mudroom, bathroom, or kitchen floor, on the other hand, may need to be resealed every six months to every year.

your contractor is a great resource here, and you can also reach out to your sealant manufacturer for more information.

what happens if you don’t seal natural stone tile?

natural stone tile is durable, and that’s one of the many reasons we love it. but a little tlc really does go a long way. if left unsealed or without proper resealing for extended periods of time, stone tile is prone to all of the things that sealing helps prevent—staining, etching, scratching, and water spots, to name a few.

our advice: talk to your contractor and sealant manufacturer about what regular resealing should look like, and then set yourself a handy recurring reminder.