to the larger overall appearance. Stone finishes, such as polished, honed, antiqued or leathered (to name a few), will play a significant role in the finished kitchen coun- tertop selection.” Don’t skip the sealer When working with stone, be mindful of the need for a sealer, Chiu explained. “Most of the time, stone needs to be sealed before applying the grout and after apply- ing the grout. Some other stones need the sealer to be applied on the six sides of the tile to prevent the stone from absorbing humidity and changing color.” A sealer is important, Viana echoed, as an effective precau- tionary measure against damage caused by everyday use. “The seal- er creates a protective layer over the surface of the stone, preventing liquid from being absorbed and causing discoloration,” he said. “Proper application of a sealer STONE –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– UltraCare™ Penetrating Plus Stone, Tile & Grout Sealer is a premium, natural-look, water- based penetrating sealer that provides maximum protection against most common stains for all interior and exterior natural stone (marble, limestone, sand- stone, slate, granite, travertine, etc.), unglazed ceramic tile, masonry and grout. The product can also be used as a pre-grout- ing sealer. For more information on the complete UltraCare prod- uct line, visit www.mapei.com. NOTE: The exact link to the UltraCare Penetrating Plus Stone, Tile & Grout Sealer is: http://www.mapei.com/public/ US/products/2028300662-pen- etrating-plus-stone-tile-grout- sealer-en.pdf or enter http://bit. ly/2zKMlnz into your browser. The Black & White Blend Marble pol- ished 6” hexagon mosaics appeals to both classic and contemporary tastes. 70 TileLetter | February 2018