Learn why resined granite may not be the stain-proof stone it is advertised as.
One of the wonderful things about natural stone is its variety. For example, no two slabs of granite will be exactly identical. Instead each contains variations in color and composition that will give your home or business a unique look. Unfortunately, this same variety that is so appealing on an aesthetic level can be frustrating on a practical one, particularly when you are shopping for stone and want to know about the care and maintenance associated with each different option.
When shopping for granite, you may face the choice of resin-treated vs untreated granite. It is important to fully understand your options before you choose.
What is Resined Granite?
Resined granite is a stone that has been treated with specially formulated resins to help fill the natural pores in the stone and reduce the porosity of the granite by 30 to 35 percent. In a sense, resined granite is kind of like a stone that has been pre-sealed at the factory. This is often how it is advertised–resined granite was developed in part to compete with quartz countertops, which never need to be sealed.
Does Resined Granites Still Need Sealing?
Since the purpose of granite sealing is to help reduce the pore size of the stone and make it more resistant to staining, it might seem reasonable to assume that resined granite will not need sealing.
However, you really never want to make this kind of blanket assumption without first assessing the qualities of the specific stone in question. After all, each stone is different. Even with a 30 to 35 reduction in porosity from the resin treatment, some stones may still be vulnerable to absorbing liquids and getting stained.
In addition to variations in the composition of different stones, you also need to bear in mind that not all factories provide the same quality of resin treatment. In some factories, producers skip the vital step of honing the slabs before applying the resin. This means that the resin doesn’t penetrate as well and the stone has less protection.
Always Check Your Granite to See If It Needs Sealing
Rather than worry about what different manufacturers or experts say about the properties of granite from a specific quarry or factory, it’s best to simply test your granite’s porosity to see if it needs sealing. Just let a few drops of water sit on the slab for about five minutes and see how quickly the water soaks in. If the water disappears, you should seal your stone to make it less absorbent and protect it against stains. If the water remains, your stone (resined or not) is already dense enough on its own to resist staining.
Questions? Call Fuller Stone Care
Fuller Stone Care is always here to help take the headache and worry out of stone care. If you have questions about sealing or resealing your granite, please contact us at 310-944-9099.