Do IceStone Countertops Need to Be Sealed?

Resealing IceStone

• According to the manufacturers of IceStone, the countertops are sealed when installed by their authorized fabricators. After installation, they suggest the homeowner monitor the countertop. If a drop of water no longer forms a bead, the surface needs to be resealed. They suggest the resealing will need to be done on an annual basis.

  The manufactures of IceStone recommend a water-based sealant such as Aquamix Penetrating Sealer, Buddy Rhodes National Look Sealer or Bulletproof Sealer.

  If an IceStone countertop is used, outdoors special care may be required. If the surface weathers to the point it is slippery, the surface can be sandblasted and resealed.

  There are other circumstances that may require resealing an IceStone countertop sooner than once a year.

  Hot kettles placed on an IceStone countertop will not damage the countertop but will damage the sealant where the kettle is placed. If the surface is cleaned with an ammonia or bleach-based cleaner it may damage the sealant. Homeowners should avoid leaving acids, substances like spill vinegar or lemon juice on the counter for any length of time. They will destroy the sealant.

  While IceStone countertops are very durable, they do require some maintenance. The manufacturer suggests a daily cleaning with a mild soap and water mixture and the application of a sealant when necessary or possibly on an annual basis.

More on IceStone

• IceStone countertops are manufactured in Brooklyn, N.Y., and shipped to authorized distributers for installation as slabs. Each slab is 53.5 inches wide by 96 inches long and 1.25 inches thick. A 2-by-3 foot slab of IceStone would weigh almost 100 pounds.

  The product is used in similar applications as quartz or marble but has the advantage of being manufactured from recycled material. According to information from the manufacturer, approximately 70 percent of the weight of the product is recycled content. The use of recycled materials also allows for more consistent colors than a quarried material.

  IceStone points out that its surfaces do not contain any petrochemicals, preventing it from fading from direct sun exposure. The company claims its surfaces are "chemically benign and 99.5 percent inorganic."