Natural stone is an enduring material if installed, maintained and repaired by qualified and knowledgeable caretakers. Josveek Huligar, of Huligar Stone Restoration, created the Natural Stone Restoration Alliance (NSRA) with a convenient Web log for the professional tradesperson as well as for homeowners .The purpose of the blog is to keep the most up-to-date products and current stone care tips available globally, to encourage interaction in the stone restoration trade, and to create an educational base fed by a community of all skill levels. Some repair projects, such as the restoration of Trinity Church in New York City and the Great Hall of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., necessitate professional tradesmen and professional products. Alternatively, a full range of home-based products that homeowners can utilize is available. Some new products are Lustro Italiano™ Daily Cleaners and Bonstone®'s Last Patch™ Gel.

Stone maintenance at Home
Choosing natural stone based on its chemical and physical properties is a key to successful ease of maintenance and repairs. One of the most important considerations is whether the stone will be in a high-traffic or highly-used area. Countertops, for example, are a location where hard stones such as granite and marble are ideal. Onyx, though it is an eye-catching stone in the wide variety of beautiful colors, is not recommended for countertops and kitchen islands because of its etch-able nature and its high vulnerability to acid damage.

Now trendy, slate and limestone with a honed finish are ideal for a kitchen backsplash and for flooring. The soft rustic character of these stones can be refined through color enhancers and sealants that slightly alter the dusty stone appeal. For exterior pavers, patios and grilling surfaces, slate and granite are perhaps the best choice in natural stones because they withstand freezing and thawing with an excellent perseverance. Marble, on the other hand, holds water through its veins that will later expand with freezing, leading to destructive cracks and spalling