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A well-designed building is beautifully special and the product of exquisite materials and craftsmanship. One common aesthetic of a luxury project is natural stone, a symbol of versatility, elegance and, exclusivity. As General Manager for The Gulf Countries, Fabrizio Nicoli is based in the Middle East and has participated in many unique projects. We caught up with him to talk natural stone care, whether a museum or skyscraper; read on for Fabrizio’s expert words of advice… 

 

Q&A for luxury stone and flooring protection

How do I look after new natural stone?

Educating our clients about stone is what we do best to help prolong the lifespan of surfaces! We firstly always recommend a post-installation clean once the new stone has been laid, which is pivotal to its ongoing care. This should then be followed by a sealer to protect against stains and hamper the absorption of water. Natural stone should also be cleaned on a regular basis to keep the sealer intact and ensure busy areas like lobbies can withstand high traffic.

Can you show me how to apply FILA products?

Absolutely yes - it would be our pleasure to visit the site and meet your designer, architect and team. At the same time, we will also perform a mock-up test that the consultant can keep which demonstrates the high performing qualities of the FILA range. By doing so, it ensures we get the best results for your project and stone and that our goals fully align. At FILA Solutions, we’re here to help make luxury stone and flooring protection as easy as possible.

How long will a FILA Solutions sealer last?

If natural stone is maintained right, our FILA sealers, like MP90 ECO XTREME, have a lifetime performance and warranty.

How much does it cost to treat natural stone?

When it comes to luxury stone and flooring protection, there is no one-size-fits-all approach as the cost is dependent on a number of factors. These are things like the type of surface and the required finish, but we aim to keep our pricing structure completely transparent.

Will FILA products affect the stone in any way?

We get asked many questions like this or for instance, will FILA products affect the slip rating of a luxury stone bathroom floor? The answer is no, absolutely not and our claims can be backed by numerous third-party certification bodies. FILA products won’t change the friction value of flooring or affect the look of the stone, even external paving under the strong sun. 

Do you have a favourite project?

Every project is a favourite of mine because I simply can’t choose but there are some that do stand out. Mecca, in particular, was a splendid project, as was the Coca Cola Arena and the Address Sky View. FILA Solutions also provided luxury stone and flooring protection at the Louvre, a museum complex in the Middle East, Bahrain Airport and Qatar's International Airport. We’re also currently working on many pavilions at Expo 2020 - it’s a very exciting time for sure!

Fabrizio’s tips for luxury stone and flooring protection

1. Never skip the initial clean

In some cases, we commonly find clients have not been fully informed on how to look after their natural stone. Stones like marble are vulnerable to staining, etching and pitching and so they need to be prepped to ensure that they last. For acid-sensitive stone, we suggest a neutral product like CLEANER PRO and our gentle acid, DETERDEK PRO for granite and porcelain tiles to perform an initial clean once the stone has been laid. This will ensure all cementitious grout and dirt from the installation has been removed and will set the stone up for life.

Unfortunately, what we find is water being used which doesn’t properly clean the stone. The tiles then pick up dirt quickly in which the contractor responds with an acidic product that leads to terrible stone etching. This can all be avoided if the stone is cleaned right the very first time after it has been laid. At FILA Solutions, we’re here to guide you and suggest the right products to ensure your stone fully performs.

2. Avoid applying sealer externally during the day

The best time of day to apply a sealer to external paving or natural stone facade cladding is early morning or late evening. If you apply under the hot daytime sun, the sealer can polymerize too quickly, and you run the risk of wasting both time and product. Another point is the surface also needs to be dry, so never apply a sealer onto a wet stone. The product will simply sit on top of the wet surface and again underperform or not even perform at all.

3. Protect against Covid using eco products

After the past year’s events, we all know the importance of sanitising our homes and hands. The same goes for all public spaces to keep the virus at bay, but some sanitisers have potentially stone-damaging harsh chemicals. In fact, this is a common issue right now all over the world, and so it’s important to choose gentle products that will kill the coronavirus but not corrode natural stone. In this case, at FILA Solutions, we would suggest SANIFAST or RAPISAN as both products are natural, eco disinfectants.

FILA recommendations for luxury stone and flooring protection

We are currently working on some incredible sites such as museums and airports, residential and commercial buildings. These projects need expert advice on the FILA products to use for the treatment of different areas that have luxury stone. Some go-to products we would highly recommend include PW10, a pre-laying treatment to protect marble and granite. MP90 ECO XTREME is also the best stain-proofing product for natural stone and hampers the absorption of common watery and oily stains. For wet areas like swimming pools and bathrooms, go with HYDROREP solvent alone or along with FILA FOB XTREME. Then there’s SANIFAST or RAPISAN to disinfect public spaces like lobbies, corridors and lifts of hotels and museums.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading Fabrizio’s advice on luxury stone and flooring protection and the options available to keep your stone looking its best. If you’re in the Middle East and looking for further guidance, contact Fabrizio Nicoli direct or click here for assistance on surface care solutions. Thanks again.