As an architect specifying materials, you consider how surfaces hold up and look their best for years to come, so the next time your client wants to build or remodel, they will think of you as the one to call. Materials specified for high-traffic bathrooms – from hotel rooms to restaurants – are no exception – as they need to be clean from day one to 1,000. Humidity, all sorts of soaps and shampoos, and everyday grime can quickly make rooms start to look and smell like a dirty Tudor-era dungeon. By specifying the proper sealers on floors, walls and counters, you can ensure these surfaces stay cleaner longer — protecting their beauty and integrity while ensuring all those experiencing your spaces will post rave reviews.
From natural stone, well known to need sealing, to an extra preventative step for even the highest performing grouts, specifying the proper sealer involves three decisions: penetrating or film forming, solvent-based or water-based, and drying invisible or with an enhanced look. Robb Kostman, senior technical advisor for Miracle Sealants, a Rust-Oleum brand of professional grade stone, tile and grout sealants, recommends using a penetrating sealer rather than a film forming sealer, as they allow for water vapor transmission within the substrate on both the stone and grout. If moisture is trapped, he cautioned, it can cause the stone to deteriorate, including flaking and chipping.