Natural stone countertops are a lifetime investment. If properly taken care of natural stone countertops like granite and marble can provide beauty to your home for years to come.

To properly enjoy your countertops for a lifetime you may consider protecting the countertops by sealing them. Granite and marble are porous materials meaning they must be sealed to protect them from stains and scratches. Here at Emerald Pearl we seal all of our countertops after installation. However, you may want to reseal every few years.

So, why is it important to seal them?

Granite and marble are porous stones. Meaning they are like little sponges that can absorb substances, bacteria or food particles. Although both are natural stone they have different levels of porosity. In addition, porosity is affected by color as well. Marble is a softer mineral so it naturally stains easier. This also means it requires additional care.

Granite has its own advantages. Not only does it have a unique look, but also they have a greater range of colors. Fortunately, dark colors requiring minimum sealing thus making them more resistant to stains and scratches.

Here are some more tricks to cleaning your countertops.

What does sealing do?

Sealing simply keeps liquids from going into pore spaces.

Generally sealers are water resistant, oil resistant and also can help to prevent other types of spills. 

So, how do I know my countertop is adequately sealed?

Carry out a water test!

Place two tablespoons of water on the chosen surface and wait 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, take a paper towel and try to dry the water spill. Pressing hard making sure to remove any texture of the surface. If a watermark is left on the surface, it’s because it needs to be sealed again. 

At Emerald Pearl we believe that delivering a quality product and service is imperative. We have done our research to find high quality products to seal and protect your countertops. We work with a nano effect sealer that is stain repellent and resistant. It is certified for interior, exterior, polished, and honed stones.