The best quality stone can provide the toughest, most resilient indoor and outdoor floor surfaces known to man. The natural stone used on the floors of some of the world's oldest and most loved buildings is proof - some are hundreds of years old. Irrespective of material used, a floor that is cleaned, mopped or vacuumed regularly will look new for years and years. That's called maintenance - something that any floor surface needs. It is not peculiar to stone.

Surface damage to a floor, any floor, can come from 2 culprits:

Wear & Tear
Stains - Damage from Acid e.g. wine, orange juice
1. Wear & Tear

Wear and tear on any floor is determined by its durability, age and the volume and nature of the traffic. Over time feet certainly cause wear and tear so do toys, furniture and breakages. It's not all bad though. Over time stone floors develop a character or patina - something manufactured tiles are incapable of.

Foot traffic can come in big and small sizes but it is rarely about the size of the foot but rather the nature of the shoe and what it carries. Shoes with soft soles are least likely to harm floors. Stilettos that concentrate body weight in a small surface area have the potential to damage any surface - timber, ceramics, carpet or stone.

Sometimes it is not about the shoe or foot at all - it's about what is stuck to the under-surface. Sand and grit attached to the sole of a shoe or bare foot can over time scratch and pit floors causing dullness and loss of lustre. Floors that are cleaned regularly will stay new looking for longer. Dry mopping is possibly the best way to cleanstone tiles. Mats will encourage guests to wipe their feet at the front door before carrying the garden into the living room.

Dirt is more visible on light coloured surfaces; beautiful white and off-white stone is best suited to low risk areas. Highly polished stone that is dark in colour also tends to show scratch and buff marks more than other surface finishes. There is a need to be practical when choosing stone for outdoor surfaces and the busy indoor areas. Getting good advice in selecting the stone to suit a specific purpose will save a lot of headaches!

2. Stains

Vibrant family homes are hectic especially at rush hour in the kitchen, dining or living room - things get spilt! You can't have fun entertaining without risk either. Plates get dropped and things get spilt. Red wine, tea and coffee stains get nominated as the biggest culprits in the living and entertainment areas. Grease, food, cooking oil and a myriad of other possibilities may be threats in the kitchen.

For outdoor areas, stains may be caused by birds, pets or vegetable matter e.g. leaves & moss. Discolouration will be greatest on surfaces that stay damp or that are located in shaded areas. Stains are least likely to occur if the spillage is wiped up quickly or the source continually removed. Stains are less likely to occur on stone that is dense with low porosity, as fluid penetration into the surface will be slower.

Stains are rare on surfaces that have been professionally sealed. The most modern penetrating sealants form invisible sub-surface barriers that prevent moisture penetration for many years - if properly applied. There are many sealants on the market with substantial variation in quality, so buy from someone you trust and whose knowledge is immediately recognisable