What should I know when it comes to Impregnators and Sealers?
More than 1,800 slabs and over 200 varieties. AA Granite Fabricator Direct has become one of the southeast region’s largest custom countertop fabricators and installers. You will marvel at the beauty of our imported slab selection. AA Granite Fabricator Direct services Norcross and Greater Atlanta with quality granite, marble, quartz, and quartzite countertops. We invite homeowners, decorators, and builders to visit our warehouses and dedicated slab showroom to select from our vast variety, and see the actual stone that will adorn your home or business.
Impregnator
An impregnator is a chemical designed to penetrate in the stone thus creating a barrier to repel water, dirt, pigments, and any other foreign substance from penetrating the stone. The impregnator does allow the stone breathe and allows vapors to escape the stone.
Sealer
Sealers also provide a layer of protection, in some case the stone is unable to breathe. There are two types of sealers the first is a penetrating sealer and it functions like an impregnator. The second type is of topical sealer is known as “coating,” such as acrylic based sealers.
Hydrophobic and Oleophobic
Sealers are water solvent and are classified into two type of functions: hydrophobic and oleophobic. Hydrophobic repels water, Oleophobic repels water and oils. Oleophobic is from Latin meaning “oil” and refers to the physical property of a molecule that is replied from oil. For the advantages that oleophobic provides, such as better protections, these solvents will tend be more expensive.
In conclusion, Solvent based impregnators are the go do for natural stone, granite, and high traffic areas such as the kitchen. For a large investment, It may be worth the up front cost instead of dealing with costly stain removal down the road.
Note: For flat stones like slate, limestone, sandstone, flamed granite, Enhancing sealers will help bring out their color.
