Say No To Marble Recrystallization: Why This Marble Floor Refinishing Technique Is Harmful

marble floor refinishing

Investing in marble floor refinishing services is a great way to extend your floors’ lifespans. But, marble recrystallization is not a good refinishing technique. Here’s why.

Marble floor surfaces don’t just look good, but they can also handle amazing amounts of foot traffic. That’s why marble floors can be found in airports, educational institutes, office spaces, and other high-traffic areas. However, marble floors tend to pick up scratches and lose their original lustre and shine after years of use.

That’s where marble floor refinishing techniques can come in handy. There are different ways to “re-finish” a marble floor and restore its shine -

• Floor buffing with the use of polishing compounds and powders

• Floor grinding with diamond abrasives

• Application of barrier coatings on the floor surfaces

• Recrystallization

The last method – recrystallization, is by far the most dangerous refinishing technique for your marble floors. Also known as vitrification, this marble floor refinishing technique involves the use of chemical compounds and steel wool pads. Marble cleaning experts create glossy finishes using this multi-stage technique.

The Dangers Of Marble Recrystallization

The chemicals used in marble recrystallization processes include - Fluoro-silicone and calcium fluorosilicate. The two chemicals combine to create a final finish that’s much harder than the original marble. This refinishing technique is cheaper than traditional marble polishing. That’s why so many homeowners prefer this cost and time-efficient technique.

However, the long-term drawbacks of marble recrystallization are serious. “Recrystallized” finishes may leave your marble floors in a shoddier position than when you started.

• Acid Retention

The recrystallized marble floor finish may retain some of the fluoro-silicone and calcium fluorosilicate used earlier in the process. This acid continues to degrade the marble floors.

• Discolouration

Long-term degradation of marble floors caused by acidic agents can make them turn reddish, yellowish or orange. These discolourations happen because of acid damage and due to the steel wool material (used for grinding the surface). These materials stay stuck underneath the marble floor’s external shell, causing slow discolouration.

• Scratches

Unlike standard marble floor polishing, recrystallization does not eliminate scratches on the floors. Instead, moments after recrystallization, most marble floors continue collecting dust and dirt inside scratches.

• Low-Quality Finish

After two or three months of marble recrystallization, your floor’s new finish may crack. People recommend marble recrystallization because it creates a hard finish that ultimately protects the underlying marble structures. But, chemical coatings or finishing on marble surfaces often become too hard – to the point of cracking.

Your floor refinishing technique shouldn’t expose you to so many risks. Marble floor recrystallization processes involve the use of harsh chemicals. Fumes from these chemicals may endanger homeowners to various types of health complications.

What other refinishing options do homeowners have? Here are some safe and effective marble floor refinishing techniques –

• Use fine-grained polishing powders to make your marble floors shine again.

• Use non-abrasive oxalic acid or oxalate coatings during the cleaning process. These coatings can boost the floor’s long-term durability.

• Grinding with diamond abrasives is an expensive but effective process.

• Use coatings or waxing to make the marble floors shine again. Coating semi-liquid acrylic, urethane, etc., on marble floors, is a safe and inexpensive process.

If you’re getting marble floor refinishing this year, stick to these four reliable techniques and avoid recrystallization!