Four Seasons Ko Olina Oahu Lobby Marble Floor Polish

 I was invited to Oahu to work on The Four Seasons Ko Olina along with ASR another stone restoration company based out of Oahu Hawaii. My friend and owner of ASR Glenn is also a fellow member of the Stone Repair Network (SRN) group. Along with Glenn's crew and Tim another member of the SRN who is based out of New York, we tackled approx 12,000 sq ft of marble floor polishing on a tight deadline. We accomplished it with time to spare. Good job team. 

Should I put a topical sealer on my stone or tile?

The short answer is: It depends.

There are, of course, certain applications where you'd want a total protective layer that a topical coating style sealer provide. We've seen many jobs that wear great and hold up all the way through that 5 year + mark.

When weighing out the pros and cons though, keep these guidelines in mind:

Natural stone needs to breathe. If moisture gets trapped within natural stone, it can cause spalling and issues that are serious problems.

Coatings may wear unevenly in traffic areas.

Coatings must be stripped the next time you reseal, so be sure to count that cost into your budget when you put the initial coating on. Choosing a topical style sealer on will require an ongoing maintenance program that includes stripping or removal. Stripping requires expensive chemicals and expertise to complete properly, and generally doubles the time that a job would take with a penetrating sealer. Failing to properly remove and prepare the surface of any existing sealers will cause flaking and peeling of your new coating. Proper preparation is key in the maintenance resealings.

If you're planning on doing a stripping and resealing job yourself, your most difficult task will be getting the sealer out of the porous grout lines. If you don't get it all the way out prior to resealing, it will be a nightmare later.

That being said, ask your professional if a penetrating or a topical sealer is best in your situation.

Penetrating sealers make use of chemicals whose molecular structure is much smaller than acrylics and epoxies. Their smaller size allows them to penetrate the surface. They are also more sophisticated in their design as they contain fusion forming particulates that seek out compatible molecules in the material they are applied to. Like magnets sticking together, these compatible molecules fill in the microscopic capillaries of the material they are applied to, forming an impenetrable barrier. Most penetrating sealers do not enhance color. They also do not appear glossy and typically do not increase the slip factor. Penetrating sealers are not known to peel or flake. Because they fuse with the material below the surface, penetrating sealers last longer than film forming sealers."

Natural Stone and Tile - Restoration vs. Replacement

Everything has to be replaced sooner or later right? In a perfect world, everything would last forever - youth, beauty, summer and our flooring and countertop surfaces. When it comes to replacing flooring and countertops, tile and natural stone surfaces, it might make sense for you to consider restoration before replacement. The National Association of Home Builders says natural stone floors can last a lifetime if they are cared for properly.




Restoration will extend the life of your floor, wall or countertop for 5-15 years. Extending the life of your surfaces is not only cost effective, it helps the environment.

• Cost Effective - Generally a fraction of the cost of replacement. Replacing surfaces equals Demolition, disposal, plus new materials and installation.


• Less time out of service - the work is usually quicker to complete than replacement


• Greener - Avoids costly and environmentally unfriendly disposal of the original material. Avoids the byproducts and environmental impact of manufacture, fabrication and installation of new materials


• Tax Benefits - Rental property repairs (restorations) are deductible in the year they are performed. Renovations (replacements) must be depreciated over multiple years. *we do not provide tax advice - see your accountant for advice.

Replacing your tile or stone floors and counters makes sense if the surface doesn't match your renovation designs. But, if you work around the existing material, restoration may be the best, most cost effective choice for you. For a professional assessment of your surfaces to determine whether they are a good restoration candidate, call us at 808.877.0222

Restoration Photos: Portfolio

Notes on Refinishing

"Reduction benefits the environment

The goal of "Reduction" is to reduce the amount of new goods that we buy and consume. When you refinish your old bathtub, sink, cabinets or countertops, they look almost brand new and there is no need for replacement and there is no need to dispose of them, thereby benefiting the environment.

When we refinish cabinets for instance, we decrease the need to cut down new trees, process and transport them for manufacturing into the beautiful kitchen or bathroom cabinet. Refinishing cabinets, porcelain or acrylic surfaces reduces pollution, saves money and time and importantly the environment." - Quoted from: http://refinishingstars.com/best_green_remodeling_alternative.html

Reference: National Assoc of Home Builders Quote