Regular maintenance of marble, terrazzo, and other natural stones in commercial spaces, such as offices, hotels, and restaurants is crucial to keep the aesthetics and long-term durability of the stone. These materials are often chosen for their elegance and ability to create a polished, professional atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on clients and employees alike. However, to keep that appearance and ensure your investment lasts, regular upkeep is essential. Without proper maintenance, even the finest marble or terrazzo can lose its luster, becoming prone to cracks, stains, and dulling over time due to heavy foot traffic or environmental factors
Neglecting this essential care can lead to costly repairs and diminish the overall appeal and integrity of your space. Let’s break down how to maintain these surfaces effectively and why relying on professional services, such as Rose Restoration, at least every two years is critical to preserving their beauty, functionality, and longevity.
Marble: High Maintenance, High Reward
Marble is synonymous with luxury, but it’s also one of the more delicate surfaces used in commercial spaces. With its high permeability, marble can easily stain from spills and discolor over time if not properly maintained. Regular cleaning is the first step in maintaining its appearance, but there’s more to marble care than simple cleaning.
Polishing marble periodically helps maintain its shine, but it’s important to use pH-Neutral products designed specifically for stone. Another essential part of marble maintenance is sealing, which should be done annually to protect the stone from absorbing spills or becoming etched by acidic substances. However, even with regular care, commercial marble surfaces face daily wear and tear from high foot traffic, which can dull the stone.
To keep your marble looking new, it’s recommended that licensed professionals restore and polish the surface at least once every two years. Professional services use diamond polishing tools to grind and smooth out scratches, followed by honing to restore the marble’s glossy finish. This level of care requires experience and specialized equipment that most in-house cleaning teams don’t have, making professional marble restoration the best way to extend the stone’s lifespan and maintain its premium appearance.
Terrazzo, made from a blend of marble, quarts, and glass chips set in cement, is prized for its durability and unique aesthetic appeal. Although more resistant to scratches and stains than marble, terrazzo still requires consistent care to avoid looking dull and worn, especially in high-traffic areas like commercial lobbies, hallways, and offices.
Terrazzo: Beautiful, Durable and Worth the effort
Daily sweeping and mopping with a neutral cleaner is a basic maintenance requirement for terrazzo floors. Over time, however, dirt and grime can build up in the small crevices of the surface, leading to dullness. To restore the shine, you can use a polishing compound specifically made for terrazzo and a low-speed buffing machine. Polishing terrazzo floors with the right tools and cleaning agents can restore some of the shine, but periodic professional polishing is necessary to keep terrazzo floors looking their best. If the terrazzo is heavily scratched or the sealant has worn off, you’ll need to take more advanced steps.
Every two to three years, terrazzo should be professionally ground and polished to remove the top layer of the surface and reveal a fresh, smooth layer underneath. This process not only revives the original look but also extends the lifespan of the floor. Grinding the surface with a terrazzo floor grinder can remove deeper scratches and restore the floor’s smoothness, but this requires multiple passes with progressively finer grits. After the grinding process, the floor needs a high-quality sealing treatment following the polishing to protect the terrazzo from stains and moisture, ensuring that it maintains its vibrant appearance even under constant use. This process is labor-intensive and requires specialized equipment, which is why many business owners choose to have professionals handle it.
Natural Stone: Timeless and Tough, but needs special care
Other natural stones like granite, limestone, and travertine are popular choices in commercial spaces due to their inherent durability and elegance. These materials are often selected for high-traffic areas because they offer a polished look while being more resilient than softer stones like marble and terrazzo. However, despite their toughness, they are still susceptible to damage from constant foot traffic, improper cleaning practices, and general neglect over time. Without routine maintenance and appropriate care, even these sturdy surfaces can develop cracks, lose their shine, or suffer from discoloration, ultimately compromising the professional appearance of your space.
Routine cleaning with a stone-safe cleaner helps remove dirt and prevent scratches, but natural stone surfaces need more than just a quick mop to keep their polished look. Over time, exposure to moisture and cleaning chemicals can wear down the protective sealant, leading to stains and etching. To prevent long-term damage, sealing natural stone annually is crucial. The right sealer will keep out dirt, water, and contaminants, protecting the stone’s natural beauty. However, for the best results and to avoid improper application that could harm the stone. it’s wise to leave this task to professionals like Rose Restoration, who have the expertise to apply the sealer correctly and ensure lasting protection.
The Importance of Regular professional maintenance
While it’s possible to handle day-to-day cleaning in-house, the reality is that long-term care of marble, terrazzo, and natural stone requires expertise and specialized equipment. Simple surface cleaning only takes you so far, eventually damage such as scratches, stains, and dullness set in which require deeper restoration efforts. In commercial spaces, professional maintenance is recommended once a year, but is crucial to do it at least once every two years to keep your investment in its top condition.
This is where Rose Restoration stands out. With over 40 years of experience, we have emerged as leaders in the field of stone restoration and maintenance. Whether you need a routine polish or a full-scale restoration, our team uses state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to deliver flawless results every time. We have worked with numerous prestigious clients such as the Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, and St. Regis; providing high-quality outcomes for both small businesses and large commercial properties.
One of the key advantages of working with Rose Restoration is our attention to detail. We don’t just polish your marble or terrazzo, we recommend the best restoration approach and ensure that the materials are treated to withstand future wear. By scheduling regular maintenance, you’re ensuring that your commercial spaces continue to look polished, professional, and welcoming for years to come.
