Useful Advice

1. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
   • Recommendations for window sills:
     • choose exterior sills granite to achieve increased longevity due to its resistance to atmospheric conditions
     • to achieve inner sills, you can equally use marble and granite
     • the recommended minimum thickness is 2 (two) cm
   • Recommendations for floors:
     • interior floors where you can choose any type of material (marble, granite, travertine, limestone)
     • especially if the thickness of the inner floor can be 1 or 2 centimeters, depending on whether or not the heating of the room or the destination estimated traffic
     • material dimensions must not exceed 1 meter on either side because this causes bending in the assembly
     • The exterior floors may be granite, polished or Fiama, due to its high resistance to weather conditions
   • Recommendations for stairs:
     • interior staircases where you can choose any type of material (marble, granite, travertine, limestone)
     • The recommended minimum thickness in the case of marble, granite and limestone is 2 cm
     • minimum thickness is recommended for travertine 3 cm, whether it is grouted or ungrouted
     • if external stairs granite is recommend due to its resistance to atmospheric conditions
     • in the case mounted on the outside of steps can be used FIAMA material (slip effect), or a portion thereof may be roughened (slip effect). Grooves may not slip because they may crack in the ice water / break material
     • in the case of the internal gear can use special wax can be roughened anti-slip or a portion thereof
   • Recommendations for kitchen countertops:
     • choose granite for kitchen countertop due to high density, structure and hardness
     • waterproofing cake immediately after its installation
     • avoid contact with leaf fat
     • clean the surface with special solution for maintenance of granite
     • The recommended thickness is 3 (three) centimeters, but depending on the surface on which it is mounted can have a thickness of 2 (two) centimeters
     • avoid execution inner blanks at a shorter distance of 7-10 cm from the outer edges of the leaf
     • take into account the mass of the leaf in relation to the furniture on which it is placed

2. RECOMMENDATIONS ON MATERIALS

Congratulations on your choice whether this includes natural materials like marble, granite, travertine or limestone.

We offer free advice about the choice of materials desired considering that there are many factors to analyze before making a decision.

The choice of material will be evaluating factors and existing situations:

• • The choice of material in general
    • an important criterion in choosing the material of marble, granite, travertine and limestone is the aesthetics in relation to your preferences
    • in terms of quality, considering natural stone, you can choose between marble, granite, travertine or limestone only in relation to the final destination material with atmospheric conditions etc.
  • The choice of material depending on the location:
    • Interior (suitable all kinds of marble, granite, travertine or limestone with very few exceptions)
    • outside (suitable granite and in very few cases and under certain conditions marble. Marble deteriorate very quickly if exposure to sunlight and untreated limestone and travertine gain stains fast)
  • Choice depending on material hardness
    • We only recommend granite for kitchen countertops due to its composition and hardness
    • We do not recommend the usage of ungrouted travertine for steps with thickness of less than 3 centimeters
    • Where granite scales may be placed on the outside, which can have varying degrees of texture (FIAMA, roughened, etc.)
  • Choice depending on thickness
    • generally predominant materials are available in thicknesses of 1, 2 or 3 centimeters
    • about floors can use all kinds of materials with certain conditions where underfloor heating

In case you want more advice please use the address sfaturi@marmurasaugranit.ro

3. Assembly

To achieve a quality installation you may need to choose judging by your own personal experience. The installation of marble, granite, travertine or limestone shows certain features which, as a rule, tile installers are not used.

4. Waterproofing

In order to protect the surfaces of marble or granite you may treat them with special solutions after installation. You can use wax or waterproofing solutions.

Waterproofing solutions are absorbed in the material and protects it from dirt stains of incidental or heavy traffic.

Wax solutions protect the material from the dirt and give an extra glow to the respective surfaces.

It is recommended that any waterproofing work should be done immediately after the installation, the wax is optional (after applying the waterproof material). It is also recommended that up to 1 year or more often if the situation requires, waterproofing should be repeated. Propper protection for surface material allows maintaining their original beauty over time.

5. Maintenance

The maintenance of marble or granite surfaces must be done using special cleaning solutions, specifically for these types of materials.

For other types of cleaners you should know that the chemicals contained by some of them can damage or make the marble or granite surface dull.

It should be clear that removal of the effects of the not recommended solutions is more difficult and costly than the use of specially designed solutions for cleaning marble or granite.

6. Overhaul

Failure to properly protect marble and granite surfaces, together with other factors (moisture, action of direct sunlight in the case of marble, the intense traffic, accidental damage, etc.) leads to the need for their reconditioning.

To recondition of marble or granite surfaces will be made with the use of a special machine to clean / polish and will consider the fulfillment of working stages, with the final aim leveling these surfaces polished.

Reconditioning machine can be used for the cleaning brushes and grinding wheels of different grain sizes, depending on the degree of damage.

• • Wipe away any stain / dirt appeared then wash the area using special cleaning solutions.
  • Dust clean the floors using a mop of natural fibers (cotton).
  • Use mats on access doors. They will help in capturing the dust, sand and pebbles worn on footwear.
  • Do not use floor cleaning or washing solutions containing acids (eg vinegar, unsuitable detergents, cement paste, abrasive cleaners, abrasive creams, solutions for removing the mold, disinfectants, etc.). Floors usually lose their luster in a very short time.
  • Only use special cleaning agents for floor cleaning.
  • Replace the metal strips or some of the plastic of the furniture with the color of the floor (in order to avoid staining), or some self-adhesive, soft material (to avoid scratching).

Use regularly (2 times per year) waterproofing solutions to protect the floors against dirt absorption. Complementary waxing solutions can be used to clean these surfaces easier.

Do not forget! Natural stone, especially marble is a material sensitive to dirt! Improper care can lead to irreversible damage!