Travertine Polishing

Polishing comes after honing

Shine on stone doesn't come out of a bottle. It comes from making the surface smoother and smoother with finer and finer diamond pads, sometimes finished with a polishing compound. So polishing always starts with honing. That gets the floor flat and even first.

Choosing your level of shine

I'll usually polish a small test area so you can see it in your own light. Travertine looks different under a west-facing window at 5 p.m. than it does in a showroom.

• Satin: soft sheen and very forgiving. Good for kitchens, family rooms and homes with dogs.
• Semi-gloss: more reflection, still practical in most rooms.
• High polish: formal and reflective. It looks great in a foyer or a dining room that doesn't see much traffic. It also shows every scratch and water spot sooner.

My honest take for most Las Vegas homes is satin or a light polish. The honed vs. polished guide walks through the tradeoffs.

Keeping the shine

• Put mats at entries to catch sand. Our dust is basically fine sandpaper.
• Dust mop often. Damp mop with a pH-neutral stone cleaner.
• Never use vinegar, bleach or "shine" products that leave a film.
• Reseal on schedule. Polished stone takes sealer differently than honed, and I'll tell you what yours needs.

Henderson and Summerlin homes

A lot of homes in Henderson and Summerlin have big open travertine floors that run through the whole first level. Polishing one connected floor takes planning so the finish matches room to room. I work in a sequence that keeps it consistent and keeps you able to get to the kitchen.