Hard surface floors have many different types of geology and construction. It is absolutely crucial that each floor is cared for uniquely. Premier Specialty Services is familiar with these specifications and is interested in helping our clients with the proper cleaning methods for their particular floor. This guide is designed to provide our clients with a basic introduction to some of the various types of common tile and stone types used today, as well as a basic overview as to how we care for them.

All hard surface floors can be divided into two categories, natural and synthetic. Please keep in mind that this is a simple, basic list of floor types and does not include all available types.

Natural Floors and Surfaces

Granite-is an igneous rock composed of quartz, feldspar and mica. It is molten rock that has solidified under pressure. Depending on the mineral content present, it will range in color from black to brown, pink, green, off-white. A very hard material, it is excellent for countertops.

Slate- is a fine-grained metamorphic rock formed when sedimentary rock, typically shale, is subjected to great pressure. Slate can be split into thin layers. The minerals within the rock re-orientate themselves to be at right angles to the source of the pressure, and so do the planes of easy cleavage. Most slate comes in shades of grey.

Marble - is a metamorphic rock composed mainly of calcite or dolomite crystals. The crystal-like texture is the result of limestone being changed by heat and pressure. Marbles range in color from white to black, with many varieties of yellow, red, green or beige in between. Typically is sensitive to some common cleaning chemicals and often needs to be honed and polished to restore it to its original high gloss luster.

Sandstone - differs because it is predominantly made up of particles of quartz that have been eroded from other rocks, often granite. These are carried away down streams and rivers until they are eventually deposited. Occasionally they are formed by winds carrying them, like the shifting sands of a desert. Natural cement minerals occur in the ground water and help to glue the particles together. As with limestone, time and the weight of other material on top compacts the sand to form stone. Can be acid sensitive and must be carefully tested to determine cleaning method and agents.

Limestone - consists mainly of calcium carbonate that was formed on the bottom of shallow lakes and seas, deposited as loose particles of shells or formed chemically by the action of acidic water containing carbon dioxide. This slightly dissolves the calcium carbonate that is already present, which then reforms by binding onto particles of sand or shell. Over time these beds build up, are duplicated, and become further compacted by the weight and/or pressure caused by movement of the earth1s crust. Minerals, often oxides of iron, help to decide the various colors of stone available all shades of white, black, grey, buff and yellow. Can be acid sensitive and must be carefully tested to determine cleaning method and agents.

Travertine - used as a gemrock or decorative stone is white, tan or cream colored, fairly dense (though porous) rock that consists largely of calcite; some of it, however, consists in part or wholly of aragonite. It possesses a wide range of colors, and covers the spectrum from pure white to deep mahogany. The various hues of travertine tile can sometimes be constant throughout large pieces and at times are blended. Travertine displays distinct veins at times and is a very sturdy natural stone. Can be acid sensitive and must be carefully tested to determine cleaning method and agents.

Synthetic Floors & Surfaces

Ceramic Tile – is man-made clay fired material. Glazed ceramic tile (single-fired, double-fired, etc...) does not normally require any protective treatment. It is the glaze itself that gives the tile its excellent protection and resistance to the absorption of dirt. Many of the new ceramic tiles in today’s market are manufactured to look like real stone; these imitations are quite impressive and can fool many uninformed hard surface cleaning firms. As a general rule the clean ability of ceramic tile is outstanding and the process is generally relatively simple. Professional cleaning and sealing will restore the tile to a like-new condition.

VCT Tile– Vinyl Composition Tile can be found in 9” inch tiles, but is most commonly found in 12” squares. It contains vinyl resins and comes in a wide variety of colors. It is an extremely dense yet porous floor and has good resistance to acid, alkaline and solvent base spots and spills. It is highly resilient and is installed in light, medium and heavy traffic areas. VCT is the most commonly found resilient floor for commercial use.

Porcelain Tile - is a very hard material that is particularly resistant to chemical agents, scratches, freezing and the absorption of water. Porcelain is ideal for paving floors in public places such as restaurants, airports, schools, hospitals and shopping centers. It has also recently begun to be used in residential applications. Porcelain Tile can be given a polished surface industrially. This produces the “polished” version with its mirror-like shine. However, unlike the “natural” or unpolished versions, this is subject to marking. It can be honed and polished, but it is a very difficult and time consuming process.

Quarry Tile & Paver Brick – Quarry Tiles are an unglazed ceramic material. They are particularly well suited for exterior paving due to their low absorption and resistance to freezing (the high baking temperatures and high quality of clay used in manufacturing, along with other raw materials make this type of floor one of the most durable on the market today).

There is no particular waiting time before treating these materials because they are not generally affected by blooms, and their low absorbency allows for rapid drying. In any case, protecting treatments should only be carried out when the floor is completely dry. There are different products and processes for these materials according to whether they are laid indoors or out. The two most common types of Quarry and Paver Bricks are Rustic and Stoneware.

Terracotta Tile or Saltillo Tile – is one of the oldest ceramic materials made by man. This type of tile is created by mixing clay and water, leaving it to dry naturally and finally baking it in a kiln. Saltillo Tile has particular characteristics that demand special treatment. The unique properties exist physically (with absorption), mechanically (with special finishes), and compositionally (with different types of clay).