Sealing Guides
Terracotta - Using it as an internal floor tile
The raw product, the tile that the customer will receive is totally porous. They are fixed on to adhesive (NB 100% bed of adhesive) ensuring not to get any on the top of the tile. If you do then simply wipe it off with a clean cloth immediately before it can mark the tile.
The primary sealant, which is a one off process at the time of fixing, is boiled linseed oil. We find that the best way to apply this is to paint it on with a paintbrush, minimum 2 coats, maximum 4, depending on the finished colour required and how much the particular terracotta will absorb. Each terracotta will vary in the amount that it will absorb – once it has absorbed the maximum the oil will simply sit on the surface without soaking in and have to be wiped off. It is important to note that applying all the coats of boiled linseed oil must be done as a continuous process – once it has dried you are unlikely to be able to come back to it and add any further coats.
Then grout the tiles as normal.
The final layer of sealant that gives the soft sheen can be achieved using a synthetic sealant. This are likely to need to be replenished every 9 to 12 months. The product we recommend is Multiseal it does not even allow wet shoes to temporarily mark the floor. Apply with a clean sponge approximately 2-4 coats until you achieve the required level of sheen.
Aftercare – Easycare, a cleaning solution you add to your bucket of water specially designed to clean your floor without stripping away the protective sealants which you have applied.
Slate - (using it as an internal floor tile)
Grading the tiles on thickness before you start fixing them is the best way to ensure that you get a really good flat slate floor. The tiles are then laid straight on to the adhesive (NB 100% bed of adhesive). Starting with the thicker tiles first.
One coat of Lithofin Stainstop needs to be applied to the fixed tiles prior to grouting and then another two after grouting. This will leave a fully sealed but matt finished slate tile.
If you wish to achieve a soft sheen then a couple of coats of Lithofin Multiseal will do this. This part of the process is the only part that will need to be repeated, possibly every 9 to 12 months depending on how much wear the floor gets.
Aftercare
Lithofin Easycare, a cleaning solution you add to your bucket of water specially designed to clean your floor without stripping away the protective sealants which you have applied.
Using it outside
First ensure that the particular slate that you are interested in is frost proof as not all slates are and would therefore not be suitable for external use.
Grading the tiles on thickness before you start fixing them is the best way to ensure that you get a really good flat slate floor. The tiles are then laid straight on to the adhesive (NB 100% bed of adhesive).
One coat of either Lithofin Stainstop needs to be applied to the fixed tiles prior to grouting and then another two after grouting. This will leave a fully sealed but matt finished slate tile
Natural Stones – Limestone & Sandstone
The tiles are laid straight on to the adhesive (NB 100% bed of adhesive). In some cases it is best to use a special white adhesive such as Ultra Proflex (which is white in colour) if there is any likelihood of the adhesive colouring the finished tile i.e. a very thin limestone, travertine or unfilled.
The tiles are then sealed using Lithofin Stainstop - one coat at this stage applied with a sponge roller. Then grout as normal. A second coat and maybe a third depending on porosity of the tile, a coat of Stainstop should be applied.
If you wish to enhance or gently deepen the colour of the stone then Lithofin Colour Intensifier can be used. Test out on a small piece of a tile first to ensure that you like the effect before covering the entire floor. This must be used before the first coat of Stainstop.
A soft sheen and final additional layer of sealant is an option when using the stone internally and for this we would recommend Multiseal. Apply with a clean sponge approximately 2-4 coats until you achieve the required level of sheen.
Aftercare
Easycare, a cleaning solution you add to your bucket of water specially designed to clean your floor without stripping away the protective sealants which you have applied.