You may be wondering what São Tomé stone is, but I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Despite the name, which comes from the city of São Tomé das Letras in Minas Gerais, the origin of the stone, you have certainly seen countless buildings with this type of coating, especially outside or around pools.
Some years ago, São Tomé stone has become a coating that is widely used in various ways and has become part of architectural and interior decoration projects, both for its beauty and for the many advantages that its use offers.
Because it is a very interesting coating for your work, today, in this article, I will show you all the characteristics of this stone: its types and colors, advantages and disadvantages, cleaning and maintenance.
If you are thinking of using this stone for your work or if you already have this coating and want to know how to clean and maintain it, this article is for you! Come with me to learn everything about this coating!
First of all, let's understand what São Tomé stones are. São Tomé stone is named after its extraction site in São Thomé das Letras, a city in the mountainous region of Minas Gerais. It can be considered a quartzite, since its structure is formed from the recrystallization of sandstone, which is responsible for forming quartz grains.
São Tomé stone is easily found in buildings, especially in outdoor areas, but it can also provide an excellent finish for indoor environments. Its main characteristic is its thermal insulation, which makes it widely used in pool areas, as it retains very little heat.
Because it is extremely versatile, it is possible to find different shapes, colors and applications of São Tomé stone, which can be found in various types of environments, giving rustic or even more delicate touches. In addition to their versatility, São Tomé stones are resistant and strong. In the next topics, we will understand more about its characteristics.
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What are the types and colors of São Tomé stone?
Now, let's get to know the types and colors of São Tomé stone, and the tones always end up varying a lot because they are natural stone. You probably know the yellow-colored São Tomé stone, which is the most common, but it is possible to find São Tomé stones in shades of white and pink.
São Tomé white stones have predominant shades of light colors, such as white, gray and beige, but you will hardly find a solid tone. This stone is ideal for environments that require lighter decoration. The yellow ones, on the other hand, are used in various types of environments, as it is possible to combine them in various ways. The stones with a pink background, on the other hand, are more exotic and can add a different touch to the decoration.
As for the types of São Tomé stone cuts, we can classify them as: canjiquinha, which has become very common to compose environments, giving a modern look, especially on facades, leisure areas or even for decorating rooms; mosaic, a very versatile format that can be used both outdoors and indoors, giving greater elegance to the areas; caco, the most used, as outdoor floors, for example, giving a rustic and natural aspect to the environment.
What are its advantages? And drawbacks?
Now, let's understand what are the pluses to use São Tomé stone in their projects. It can offer several advantages, but we will introduce you to the main ones. Also, here in this topic, you can understand what disadvantages the use of this coating can present. Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the stone, it is possible for you to assess whether it will be a good option for your project. Come with me!
Among the advantages, we can mention:
Durability: São Tomé stone has good durability, with a lifespan of up to 30 years. Also, because it is very hard and resistant to friction and withstands heavy weight loads, it requires little maintenance and is suitable for outdoor areas or around swimming pools, for example.
Cleaning: cleaning this type of stone is quite simple, and there is no need to use any specific product, just soap and water are sufficient. However, later on, I will give you a tip to make cleaning even easier by avoiding the accumulation of dirt on the stone.
Versatility: São Tomé stone can be used in various types of environments, both on the floor and on walls, combined with other types of material, making it ideal for both rustic and modern decoration. They can compose environments from outdoor areas, swimming pools to rooms and facades.
Thermal insulation: São Tomé stone does not absorb heat, making it perfect for places that receive direct sunlight throughout the day, such as outdoor areas and swimming pools, helping the place to remain cool.
Anti-slip: It is an interesting material, since it does not pose a risk of falling for those who transit near the pool, for example.
Good cost-benefit: considering the many advantages that stone offers, the price is very affordable, making it an interesting option for those who don't want to spend too much.
Uniformity: although the pieces have minor differences in colors, in general, the stone offers good uniformity of shades, giving a more beautiful aesthetic to the place and also making it easier in case of replacement of pieces.
Restriction of colors: São Tomé stones are presented in lighter tones. So, if you are looking for stones with a darker shade, São Tomé is not for you!
Because they have joints and are porous, they can accumulate more dirt.
How to clean São Tomé stone?
A neatness São Tomé stone does not require great techniques, but it must be done with some frequency. First, weekly cleaning should be done with soap and water, using brooms. With a slightly longer frequency, it is recommended that cleaning be done with high-pressure washers, so that the dirt present in the pores of the stone is removed. However, this more intense cleaning should not be carried out weekly, as it can damage the finish of the stone, since it is quite porous.
It is also worth noting that during the São Tomé stone cleaning process it is not recommended to use abrasive or corrosive products such as alcohol, kerosene, removers and solvents.
How to preserve the São Tomé stone?
Now, get ready, because I'm going to give you a golden tip! Do you want to know how to increase the lifespan of the stone and also facilitate its cleaning and conservation? Just apply a water repellent product BlokSeal Floors, a specific product for porous floors. And do you know what he does? BlokSeal Floors is a high-performance water repellent that, when applied to floors, creates an invisible layer of protection that prevents water infiltration. Thus, in addition to protecting the surface against moisture, it eliminates the accumulation of dirt, making cleaning much easier. What's more, BlokSeal Floors does not alter the characteristics of the material, does not promote shine and even allows gas exchange.
Do you want more? If you need to protect your São Tomé stone installed on a wall, you need to know BlokSeal, also indicated to protect the surface against moisture and dirt accumulations, ensuring more durability and resistance for your stone!
Conclusion
Now that you've read our article about São Tomé stones, you have enough information to know if it's the ideal coating for your construction! Read the article again, consider its advantages, disadvantages, how cleaning and maintenance should be done to decide. But one thing is certain: São Tomé stone is a good option for those who don't want to spend too much and want to count on its many benefits! And don't forget to guarantee even more strength and durability for your stone with products from Blok! We are here with the best solutions for your work! Until next time!
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