A sealant will form a protective barrier across your kitchen worktop, to guard against stains and external damage such as dust, water and stains from other spillages. But, not all worktops need to be sealed.
At Marble Supreme, we make sure all worktops that need to be sealed are done so, and we will provide any guidance on future care.
So does your kitchen worktop need to be sealed? Take a look at our guide below to find out.
Granite
Granite is a porous material, therefore it does require a sealant to protect it from staining.
If spillage is left uncleaned for a prolonged period of time, the liquid will be absorbed into the stone, often resulting in an unsightly stain or dark spot.
Corian
Corian worktops do not need to be sealed.
Unlike most natural stone, Corian is non-porous, making it resistant to stains.
Due to its composition, Corian is especially durable (although it’s important to note that it can be damaged by direct contact to boiling water).
Read our blog comparing Corian to Quartz.
Quartz
Quartz worktops don’t require any sealants.
Quartz is a completely non-porous material. Manufacturers such as Caesarstone, Compac, Okite and Silestone actually provide guarantees that their products do not need sealants and will not stain or absorb liquids.
If you were to apply a sealant to a quartz worktop, it would not absorb the sealer so it would simply sit on top of the material until you wiped it off rather than offering any protection.
Marble
Most marble will benefit from a sealant.
Marble worktops are particularly vulnerable to staining and superficial damage. As a soft stone, it’s the most porous of worktop materials.
However, it is important to note that not all marble needs to be sealed. It’s best to ask your worktop provider if a sealer is necessary.
Too much sealant can have adverse effects too, sealer than has not been absorbed can build up and leave a thick, muddy coating atop your worktop.
Wood
Your wood worktop will require the occasional application of an oil or lacquer treatment.
Wood is an interesting alternative to natural stone worktops. In recent years there has been a rise in these new worktops materials, with many others such as concrete and stainless steel rising in popularity.
Wood does is slightly more unpredictable and can come with some disadvantages if chosen for kitchen worktops.
One of those disadvantages is the fact that it does need more care in comparison to the materials listed above.
While Wood is tipped to be a trend in 2020, it’s not the best material for kitchen worktops.
How often do you need to apply a sealant?
Typically, sealants only need to be applied once a year or so, but this does differ depending on how frequently they’re used and the integrity of the stone.
Applying a sealant is not an overly complicated activity, however, if you do have any doubts we recommend that you ask your stone provider for further guidance.
If you have any questions regarding sealants or otherwise, call us on 0117 332 5045 to speak to one of our experts. Or visit our contact page.