Tile sealer works by creating a protective layer or barrier on the surface of tiles and grout, preventing stains, moisture, and dirt from penetrating the material. There are different types of tile sealers, but one common type, penetrating sealers, operates in a specific way to protect porous surfaces.
Understanding Penetrating Tile Sealers
Based on how they interact with the tile material, penetrating sealers are distinct from surface-coating sealers.
- Absorption: Penetrating sealers work by absorbing into the tile's surface. Unlike sealers that form a film on top, these sealers seep into the tiny pores and capillaries within the tile and grout.
- Mechanism: This process involves the sealer occupying the spaces within the material, essentially filling the pores. This is as opposed to bonding overtop like a paint or a traditional sealant layer.
- Ideal for Porous Surfaces: This absorption mechanism makes penetrating sealers particularly effective for porous tiles and grout. Porous materials have many small holes that can absorb liquids and stains readily. Examples include:
- Natural stone (like granite, marble, slate, travertine)
- Saltillo tiles
- Other unglazed tile materials
- Maintaining Natural Appearance: A key benefit of penetrating sealers is that because they absorb into the surface rather than sitting on top, they protect the tile without changing their beautiful natural appearance. They typically do not add shine or alter the color significantly, preserving the original look and feel of the material.
In essence, penetrating sealers provide protection from within the tile and grout structure, blocking contaminants by filling the porous network beneath the surface layer.
