Published by Renew and Seal
Marble
Often shows flowing veins or cloudy colour variations. Many marble surfaces contain calcium carbonate and can develop dull spots after contact with acidic substances.
Travertine
A form of limestone that often features beige tones, directional bands and natural pores or holes. Existing factory or site-applied filler may become visible as the surface wears.
Terrazzo
A composite flooring material with distinct aggregate chips in a cementitious or resin binder. Polishing depends on the aggregate and binder, rather than applying the same process as marble.
Polished concrete
Polished concrete can also expose stone aggregate, but the substrate is a concrete slab. The slab quality, prior treatment and desired aggregate exposure influence the possible result.
Engineered stone and silica safety
Some manufactured slabs and silica-containing surfaces are subject to specific Australian and Western Australian restrictions and dust-control requirements. Do not dry-cut, grind or polish unidentified products. Certain work on legacy engineered stone requires notification and controls.
For current regulatory guidance, consult WorkSafe WA's engineered stone information.
Is identification from a photo enough?
Not always. Lighting, artificial patterns, coatings and the stone's finish can make images misleading. Source records or competent on-site assessment may be needed before abrasive treatment.
Perth Hills hub · Stone-care guides
Related stone restoration information: Material-specific stone repairs. The exact treatment should always be selected based on the real material and condition.
About Leon Brook and his background in surface care
If the floor is a slab with exposed aggregate, see concrete honing and polishing before choosing a stone treatment.