Which sealer for marble?

SM-1 if the marble is to keep its colour and polish, or SM-2 if you want a wet-stone look. ProtectGuard MG Eco works without solvents, and ProtectGuard MG adds protection against graffiti. Choose EH-20 only for marble with a rough surface.

Which sealer for travertine?

ST-1 for an invisible finish or ST-2 for a wet-stone look. Neither adds slipperiness, so both also suit the area around a pool and outdoor steps, indoors and out.

Will a sealer fill the holes in travertine?

No. A sealer soaks into the material and is not a filler - fill gaps and cavities before sealing if you want them gone.

Will SM-2 change the look of marble?

Yes, and noticeably. It deepens the colour and brings out the veining. The effect is permanent, so before you seal the whole surface, test it on a hidden area - especially on pale marble.

Do I need to ventilate the room after sealing?

Yes, after SM-1, SM-2, ST-1 and ST-2. They are solvent-based, so keep the room well ventilated during sealing and for 72 hours afterwards. On marble, the water-based ProtectGuard MG Eco works without solvents.

Marble and travertine sealer

Marble or travertine: SM-1 and SM-2 are made for marble, ST-1 and ST-2 for travertine. All of them go on in one coat with a soft roller, and a litre covers about 20 m².
Finish: SM-2 changes not only the background shade but also the contrast of the veining. On pale marble the result can be surprising, so start with a test on a hidden area.
Worktop and kitchen: ProtectGuard MG Eco protects marble from fruit juice, vinegar and grease - water-based, solvent-free and with the manufacturer's food-contact certificate.
Condition of the surface: Old travertine is often waxed: if a drop beads up and the stone underneath does not darken, remove the coating. Fill the cavities before sealing - a sealer is not a filler.

8 products

Guides

Before you choose: how to pick the right product, prepare the surface and what to expect once it is on.

Four stone samples: polished granite, flamed granite, marble, and travertine

Choosing a product

How to choose a natural stone sealer

Polished granite, flamed granite, marble, travertine and sandstone are five different substrates, not one. Each needs a different preparation - here is how to choose the right one.

September 17, 20264 min read

Pale and darker sections of the same grey block paving

Choosing a product

Invisible sealer or wet look

Choosing the finish is the one sealing decision you cannot undo without stripping the layer. See what separates the two, how to test them, and when to choose which.

September 17, 20264 min read

Water beading on concrete beside an area where it has soaked in

Choosing a product

Water-based or solvent-based sealer

This difference is mostly about working conditions, not about the class of product. What it actually changes on the job, and when one rules the other out.

September 17, 20264 min read

What marble and travertine have in common is sensitivity to acids: a drop of lemon juice or vinegar can etch a dull mark into a polished surface. A sealer limits the ingress of liquids but does not change the stone's chemical resistance, so wipe up spilt acid at once. We show how these stones compare with granite and sandstone in the Natural stone section.

The products side by side

SM-1 and SM-2 - solvent-based marble sealers that penetrate deeper than 1 mm. SM-1 keeps the colour and polish, SM-2 deepens the colour. After sealing, clean the stone with products of pH 5-9 (SM-1) or 3-12 (SM-2).
ST-1 and ST-2 - for travertine, based on resins and dearomatised solvents. They do not add slipperiness, which matters around a pool and on outdoor steps. You apply them between +10 and +25 °C.
ProtectGuard MG - concentrated and colourless, for marble and other low-porosity stone. It limits the ingress of water, oils, grease, weak acids and graffiti, and is UV-resistant.
ProtectGuard MG Eco - the water-based, solvent-free version, for worktops and work surfaces.
EH-20 - only for marble with a rough surface, when the stone also has to resist oil.

We explain how to judge a wet-stone look before you commit in the guide invisible sealer or wet look.

Order of work

Wash the stone with a neutral or mildly alkaline cleaner - an acidic one will etch the surface. We explain why in the guide how to choose a natural stone sealer.
Remove wax, polish and grease, and fill the cavities in travertine.
Wait until the stone is dry - the full list of conditions is in the guide to preparing the substrate before sealing.
Apply SM-1, SM-2, ST-1 or ST-2 in one coat with a soft roller and polish straight away. After 8 hours, footprints and smears can no longer be removed, and for 72 hours keep off the surface and ventilate the room.

The most common mistake

Sealing stone that has a wax coating. On older travertine and marble floors it is easy to miss an old layer of wax or polish. The sealer has to soak into the stone, so it will not get through such a layer - do the water-drop test before you start.

Questions before you choose

Which sealer for marble?: SM-1 if the marble is to keep its colour and polish, or SM-2 if you want a wet-stone look. ProtectGuard MG Eco works without solvents, and ProtectGuard MG adds protection against graffiti. Choose EH-20 only for marble with a rough surface.
Which sealer for travertine?: ST-1 for an invisible finish or ST-2 for a wet-stone look. Neither adds slipperiness, so both also suit the area around a pool and outdoor steps, indoors and out.
Will a sealer fill the holes in travertine?: No. A sealer soaks into the material and is not a filler - fill gaps and cavities before sealing if you want them gone.
Will SM-2 change the look of marble?: Yes, and noticeably. It deepens the colour and brings out the veining. The effect is permanent, so before you seal the whole surface, test it on a hidden area - especially on pale marble.
Do I need to ventilate the room after sealing?: Yes, after SM-1, SM-2, ST-1 and ST-2. They are solvent-based, so keep the room well ventilated during sealing and for 72 hours afterwards. On marble, the water-based ProtectGuard MG Eco works without solvents.