Marble

In the heart of The Woodlands, where sophistication meets natural beauty, homeowners are choosing marble countertops to grace their kitchens with an air of elegance. The allure of marble lies not only in its aesthetic appeal, with distinctive veining and a palette of timeless colors, but also in its inherent durability. Yet, to ensure the longevity of this luxurious material, proper care is essential. In this blog post, we delve into the realm of marble countertop care, exploring the reasons behind marble’s popularity, the crucial need for sealing, and the intricate processes of polishing. Join us on a journey through the nuances of marble care as we address the pressing questions that every homeowner in The Woodlands may have when it comes to maintaining the timeless beauty of their marble countertops. Why is Marble Good for Countertops? Marble has long been revered for its timeless beauty and luxurious appearance, making it a preferred choice for countertops in upscale homes. The allure of marble lies in its unique veining patterns and a wide array of colors, ranging from classic whites and grays to warmer tones. This natural stone adds a touch of sophistication to any space, elevating the overall aesthetic. One of the key reasons why marble is highly sought after for countertops is its durability. While it is softer than granite, another popular choice, marble is still a robust material that can withstand the rigors of daily use. With proper care, marble countertops can last a lifetime, making them a valuable investment for homeowners. Beyond its aesthetic and durability, marble is also an excellent choice for baking enthusiasts. Its naturally cool surface is ideal for working with pastry and dough, providing a unique benefit for those who enjoy spending time in the kitchen. The reflective properties of marble can also enhance the lighting in the room, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. In summary, marble is an excellent choice for countertops due to its timeless beauty, durability, and unique functional properties that make it a standout in any kitchen. Does Marble Need to Be Sealed? Yes, marble countertops need to be sealed to protect them from stains, etching, and other forms of damage. Marble is a porous stone, which means that it can absorb liquids and is susceptible to staining. Sealing creates a protective barrier on the surface, preventing substances from penetrating the stone and causing damage. The sealing process […]

Marble stone has been a popular choice for countertops and floors for centuries, thanks to its timeless beauty, durability, and elegance. Whether in a residential or commercial space, marble stone adds a touch of luxury and refinement. In Houston, Texas, residents and businesses have been turning to Modern Stone Care for their marble stone honing and polishing needs. With their experienced natural stone technicians and high-quality marble stone finishing services, Modern Stone Care helps transform marble surfaces to fit individual tastes and preferences. What is Marble Stone? Marble stone is a metamorphic rock that is formed from limestone under heat and pressure. It is composed mainly of calcium carbonate and exhibits a distinct crystalline structure, giving it its unique beauty. Marble is known for its variety of colors and patterns, ranging from pure white to deep blacks, with veining and swirls that are unique to each piece. Marble Stone for Countertops and Floors The versatility of marble stone makes it an excellent choice for both countertops and floors in residential and commercial spaces. In kitchens and bathrooms, marble countertops create a luxurious and sophisticated atmosphere. The smooth and reflective surface of marble adds an elegant touch to any space, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. Marble floors, on the other hand, add a touch of grandeur to entryways, hallways, and other high-traffic areas. The durability of marble stone makes it suitable for areas that require frequent cleaning and maintenance. The variations in color and patterns make each marble floor a work of art, making it a focal point in any room. Polished vs. Honed Marble When it comes to finishing marble surfaces, there are two primary options: polished and honed. Both finishes have their unique characteristics, and the choice depends on personal preferences and the desired look. 1. Polished Marble Polished marble is the most common and popular choice for countertops and floors. The polishing process involves using diamond abrasives to achieve a glossy and reflective surface. The result is a smooth and shiny finish that enhances the natural colors and patterns of the marble. The polished surface of marble creates a luxurious and sophisticated look. It is also resistant to staining, as the polishing process closes the pores of the stone and makes it less porous. However, the polished surface may show scratches and etches more easily than a honed finish. 2. Honed Marble Honed marble has a matte or satin

Marble surfaces have long been admired for their timeless beauty and elegant appearance. Whether in a grand foyer, a luxurious bathroom, or a gourmet kitchen, marble adds a touch of opulence to any space. However, when it comes to maintaining the pristine look of marble, there are two primary finishing options to consider: honed and polished. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences in appearance, the processes of honing and polishing, and the maintenance required to keep both finishes looking their best.   The Look: Honed vs. Polished Before diving into maintenance, let’s first understand the visual distinctions between honed and polished marble surfaces.   Honed Marble: Honed marble has a matte or satin finish that offers a softer and more understated appearance compared to polished marble. When you run your hand over honed marble, it feels smooth but lacks the high-gloss sheen associated with polished marble. This finish enhances the natural color and veining of the stone while reducing the glare and reflections often seen on polished surfaces. Honed marble exudes a subtle elegance and a tactile appeal that many homeowners find appealing.   Polished Marble: Polished marble, on the other hand, boasts a glossy, mirror-like finish that is both luxurious and striking. The surface is smooth to the touch, and it reflects light beautifully, creating a bright and airy ambiance in any space. Polished marble intensifies the depth of color and enhances the stone’s natural patterns, creating a vibrant and glamorous look. Its lustrous appearance is a classic choice for upscale interiors.   The Process: Honing and Polishing The difference in appearance between honed and polished marble surfaces is primarily achieved through distinct finishing processes.   Honing: Honing is the process of grinding the marble surface with abrasives to remove a thin layer of the stone, revealing a matte finish. This process also eliminates any imperfections, such as scratches or etches, resulting in a smooth and uniform surface. Honed marble maintains the stone’s natural color and veining while offering a tactile and refined appearance.   Polishing: Polishing involves using progressively finer abrasive materials to create a smooth, glossy finish on the marble surface. The process brings out the full depth of color and highlights the intricate veining of the stone. Polished marble is achieved through meticulous grinding and buffing, resulting in a highly reflective and stunning surface.   Maintenance: Honed vs. Polished Marble Now that we’ve covered the

The holiday season is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to spruce up your home and create a warm, inviting atmosphere for your guests. One often overlooked but essential aspect of preparing your home for the holidays is ensuring that your marble floors are in top-notch condition. Marble floors are not only luxurious but also a significant investment in your home’s aesthetic appeal. To make sure your marble floors shine like never before, it’s time to consider routine maintenance and professional polishing.   Preserve the Elegance of Your Marble Marble is renowned for its timeless beauty and elegance. However, even the most exquisite natural stone can lose its luster over time due to wear and tear. Regular foot traffic, spills, and exposure to various elements can take a toll on your marble floors, causing them to become dull and unattractive. This is where routine maintenance comes into play.   Routine maintenance involves a series of steps, including cleaning, sealing, and polishing, which can help preserve the beauty of your marble floors. Cleaning removes dirt and grime, sealing protects the surface from stains, and polishing restores the shine. By investing in this maintenance, you can ensure that your marble floors continue to be a focal point of elegance in your home, enhancing the overall ambiance for the holiday season.   Enhance Durability and Longevity Marble is a durable natural stone, but it is not invincible. Over time, the surface can develop small scratches, etches, and imperfections. Without proper care, these minor issues can accumulate and compromise the overall integrity of your marble floors. Routine maintenance, including professional polishing, can help address these imperfections and extend the lifespan of your marble.   Polishing not only brings back the shine but also smoothes out minor surface imperfections, making your marble floors more resilient to future wear and tear. This added durability ensures that your marble will continue to look stunning for many holiday seasons to come.   Improve Indoor Air Quality Maintaining your marble floors is not just about aesthetics; it also has a positive impact on indoor air quality. Dust, dirt, and allergens can accumulate in the pores and crevices of unpolished marble. When you walk on these surfaces, these particles can become airborne, leading to respiratory issues and allergies, especially for sensitive individuals.   Professional polishing not only restores the shine but also involves a thorough cleaning process

Are you interested in changing up the appearance of your marble surfaces? Whether it is your bathroom floors, kitchen countertops, or bathroom countertops, a honed surface can change the appearance of your marble, leaving you with a high-end matte finish that is sure to catch the eye and bring a unique touch to your space. Read below to learn more about honed VS polished marble floors and countertops. What is the Difference Between Honed and Polished Marble?  Honed marble is marble that has not gone through the polishing process. This results in the stone having a matte appearance, rather than the distinctive shine of polished marble. Many homeowners choose honed marble because of its natural look. A honed marble countertop or other surface will not be as reflective as one that is polished. On the other hand, polished marble refers to marble that has undergone the polishing process. Polishing makes the stone appear shiny and reflective. Polished marble will emphasize the coloring and veins present in the natural stone. How Do You Know if Honed or Polished is Better for Your Home?  The true answer to this question is that it will ultimately be a matter of your opinion. That said, the following analysis of each option can help lead you to your decision. Stains, scratches and etches are three of the most common problems associated with marble. Below is a comparison of how marble with both finish options handle the issues. Honed Marble Surfaces Staining: If properly sealed, stains should not be an issue with honed marble. This is not to say that stains will never occur, but an adequate seal will lessen the likelihood that stains will be a problem. Scratching: Scratches leave behind dull marks on your marble. Because of this, honed marble may be the better choice if you are concerned about scratches. The surface already has a matte appearance, so scratches can be hidden easier than they can be with polished marble. Etching: Etches can occur if you leave spills sitting on your marble for too long. An etch will appear as a dull spot on the surface of your marble countertop or other installation. Exercise as much caution as you can around your honed marble. Polished Marble Surfaces Staining: If your polished marble is properly sealed, it should not have issues with staining. Note that just because the stone is stain resistant does not

While marble flooring has the ability to last for more than a century, many people wonder, are marble floors high maintenance? The truth is, marble flooring will require continued maintenance and dedication in order to keep looking great for this long. They are more high maintenance than other stone flooring options and may not be the best option for all households. Another thing to consider before having marble floors installed in your home is that they can become very slippery when polished or wet. This is something to consider if you live in a home with children, elderly, or are located in a particularly wet climate. How do you maintain marble floors? A regular cleaning and maintenance routine will keep your marble floors looking like new. Use a clean, soft cloth or natural dust mop to remove grit and dirt on a weekly basis. If using a vacuum cleaner, use the softest brush attachment. Minimize dirt and debris accumulation by putting area rugs or runners at entry doors and in high-traffic zones. Wipe up any spills promptly, blotting with a clean, soft cloth (do not rub.) Polish and seal marble floors once or twice a year. And, when the marble starts looking a bit dull, call in a professional to clean, polish, and seal the floors. Are marble floors pet friendly? Unfortunately, marble floors are not so good for homes with pets. Marble is susceptible to staining by acidic or alkaline substances, and pet urine is extremely acidic. Polished marble floors are also slick and can be scratched by pets’ claws. Therefore, marble floors are not the best choice for pet owners. What are the disadvantages of marble flooring? Although marble is beautiful, that beauty comes with a high price tag. Indeed, one of its main disadvantages is that marble is not a budget-friendly choice; it also typically requires professional installation, which adds to the overall cost. Marble is a natural stone and therefore is porous, so it requires regular sealing. Marble can be slippery and cold underfoot, making it a poor choice for people with mobility concerns. Marble also is susceptible to staining, scratching, chipping, and cracking. Marble Countertops May Be a Simpler Way to Incorporate This Stone Many homeowners are set on having marble in their homes. Installing marble countertops may be a simpler way to incorporate this stone into your space. While countertops will still require consistent

Have you ever wondered “How can I make my marble counters last?” Well, the answer is simple. Staying on top of your routine maintenance such as cleaning, polishing, and sealing will help you to preserve your stone and keep it looking great for decades to come. Marble Stone Cleaning In Houston  Our team of trained and experienced Houston natural stone professionals specialize in cleaning and servicing Marble surfaces. If you have marble stone surfaces in your home or business space it is important that you are aware of the demands and vulnerabilities of this material in order to avoid damaging them, and to keep them in lasting condition so they look great for as long as possible. Competing stone cleaning and maintenance companies may claim they are able to provide these services to your natural stone surfaces but this is not always the case. In fact, these services can actually leave your marble damaged when mishandled. Always work with the best when it comes to your natural stone floors and surfaces. Marble Stone Polishing In Houston When it comes to keeping your natural stone surfaces beautiful and reflective, with a gorgeous gorgeous polished surface, such as the one in the picture above, you will want to have your natural stone regularly polished. At Modern Stone Care in Houston, we believe your stone should look great year round! If it has lost its glimmer and pizzaz, schedule an appointment with our team today. We can get your dull and cloudy stone surfaces looking great in no time. Marble Stone Sealing In Houston Many natural stone experts recommend sealing natural stone surfaces on an annual basis unless they are experiencing above-average wear. For instance, if you cook every day in your kitchen and clean the countertops daily, or you have a household with dogs, you may need to reseal the natural stone seasonally or biannually to protect it from future damage. If your natural stone countertops or other surfaces are in need of some TLC contact the professional stone experts of Houston at Modern Stone Care. Our team can help you to determine how often you need to seal your granite surfaces and keep them looking great for decades to come. Marble Restoration In Houston Polished marble flooring and other surfaces will scratch fairly easily compared to other flooring materials. If you are a home or business owner with damaged natural stone

Marble is a versatile stone that can look very different depending on the finish you choose for your marble surfaces. You have three options: honed, satin, and polished. Listed below is some insight into the differences between each one of these finishes. Honed marble leaves you with a matte and modern look. It can look smokey and add a new look to any space quickly. If you are interested in having your marble surfaces honed, reach out to the team at Modern Stone Care today. Polished marble is a high gloss finish that can be reflective and shiny. This is the most popular finish for marble floors, counters, and surfaces. Satin marble is a finish that falls between the two listed above. If you are looking for a less reflective polish, satin is your best option. The best thing about marble surfaces is they are easy to change. If you decide you are tired of having a highly reflective surface, you can easily change the entire look of your space by honing your marble surfaces. Contact us today to find out more about the options for your marble floors, counters, and surfaces in Houston. Safe Marble Stone Floor Surface Modern Stone Care Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner is a neutral (ph 7) marble safe floor cleaner which is to be used for regular maintenance on any hard surface not harmed by water. It was originally made to protect calcite based stones, such as marble, limestone, & travertine, which are alkaline in nature due to the mineral content, from chemical etching. It’s no rinse, streak free properties make this cleaner ideal for any hard surface, as it does not leave a dulling film or residue. Special organic slats in its formula act as “moisturizers” thus preventing natural stone from “drying out.” It also contains optical brighteners to enhance the finish of the surface on which it is used. If you have any questions or concerns about this cleaning product contact us today. Our customer service representatives will be happy to go over the ingredients and instructions when using this natural stone safe cleaner. Natural Stone Cleaning In Houston TX At Modern Stone Care, our team of highly knowledgeable technicians specialize in the restoration, cleaning, polishing, and sealing of all-natural stone surfaces. This includes flooring, countertops, outdoor pool coping, and more. We work hard to ensure your natural stone maintains its beautiful

One of the best features of marble surfaces is that you are able to alter their appearance just by changing the finish of your stone. Marble polish will leave your stone surfaces looking shiny, giving the classic glossy appearance so many people are interested in, especially for kitchen countertops. If you get tired of this highly sought after finish, it is possible to transform your marble surfaces giving them a modern matte look. White marble and granite countertops will both require professional attention in order to maintain their beauty and stay safe from outside influences. Honed VS Polished Marble Honed Marble Honed marble refers to a marble slab that’s been ground down to a smooth, flat surface. Instead of polishing, the stone is left with a matte finish and a velvety feel. Honed marble is more durable. It’s more resistant to scratches, and, when it does get scratched, it’s less noticeable because light doesn’t reflect off the matte finish the way it does the glossy finish of polished marble. Because it’s not polished, it’s more susceptible to stains than its shiny counterpart. This is easily remedied by immediately cleaning up any spills. Honed marble is great for marble flooring! Due to the matte surface, it’s far less slippery than polished marble when it gets wet. It’s easily maintained with regular wipe downs with mild detergent, immediately cleaning spills, and occasional resealing. Because of its durability, honed marble is perfect for countertops and high traffic areas such as entryway and bathroom floors.   Polished Marble To state the obvious, polished marble is exactly what it sounds like: polished. The stone is left with a glossy shine enhanced by the natural reflection in the stone’s crystals. Polished marble is coated, which is what gives it its characteristic glossy look. This coating makes the marble less susceptible to staining than honed marble. Because it has such a highly reflective surface, scratches on the surface are far more visible and noticeable than those in its honed counterpart. Polished marble is exceptionally smooth, making it a less than ideal option for flooring in high traffic areas, especially entryways and bathrooms that may see a lot of water because it can get extremely slippery when wet. Like honed marble, polished marble is very easily maintained with regular wipe downs with mild detergent and immediately cleaning spills when they happen. Polished marble is a classic choice for

How long does marble last? Natural stone and marble, when cared for has the potential to last for decades. Marble.com shares some insight into the life expectancy of marble below: The amazing longevity of granite and marble countertops, which can be twice as long as other countertop materials – over 100 years – as reported by the National Association of Home Builders, is what makes granite countertops and marble countertops among the most sought-after kitchen elements. The popularity of granite and marble kitchen countertops is why you need the most popular stones and the most sought-after stone colors in your inventory. The lifespan of a granite countertop is highly influenced by its care and maintenance. As natural stones both granite countertops and marble countertops are porous (marble more so than granite), which means they will absorb any liquids spilled on it. Additionally, food particles and other debris can accumulate over time.   Before You Begin Polishing Before tackling the cleaning and shining of your marble counters, it helps to understand the two different marble finishes before you fruitlessly try to restore a shine to one that’s not designed to be glossy. Honed marble has been sanded to create a velvety finish—not quite matte, but definitely not shiny. Less slippery than polished marble, honed marble is very well suited for floors. Some homeowners also prefer honed marble for their countertops, as it’s less likely to scratch than polished marble and hides etching better than a shiny surface. Still, polished marble is the more common choice for the kitchen countertops or table inlays. The less porous option, this finish won’t stain as easily as honed marble might and does not demand the same frequency of sealing. Plus, its shine offers a semi-reflective surface that is both attractive and helps to make a small kitchen appear larger than its footprint. While it is possible to transform a polished marble counter into a honed surface, or vice versa, the project requires skill and experience and special equipment—in other words, it’s best to leave this job to a professional with a stone polishing machine. If you’re looking to restore shine to your polished marble counter or tabletop, though, you can do so with these accessible supplies and steps.   Marble Floors Experts Our team works with home and business owners to provide them with the best cleaning solutions and floor treatments for their marble surfaces.