New from Australians DryTreat, which stone wholesaler The Marble & Granite Centre in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, started distributing to the stone industry last year, are Intensifia and Vitremela.
DryTreat describes Intensifia as ‘a world first’ colour enhancer and stain repeller that protects against both oil- and water-based stains, while Vitremela is a heat resistant, acid and stain proof sealer.
An Intensifia-enriched surface will have long lasting protection – and to prove it comes with a five-year warranty as long as it is applied by an Accredited Applicator.
The breathable, semi-impregnating sealer is perfect for use on a wide variety of natural stone surfaces, including floors and exterior paving because it does not reduce wet slip resistance and stands up well to UV light while also minimising the growth of mould, moss and mildew. On top of everything else, it is easy to apply.
Using Intensifia is environmentally responsible, as it is compliant with the American LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) and EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & restriction of Chemicals) regulations and meets the world’s most stringent VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) standards.
DryTreat says Intensifia will not impact on the surrounding environment nor be of danger to pets or small children on treated surfaces.
Vitremela, meanwhile, has what DryTreat says is a hybrid technology that combines the toughest coating with nanotechnology, resulting in an exceptionally thin (50-60 microns) and particularly clear cured coating that the maker says is hard, scratch resistant, and 100% acid resistant – in tests it withstood industrial strength hydrochloric acid for more than 24 hours.
It also stands up to heat well, with damage only beginning above 260ºC, and it is even resistant to a naked flame.
Like any surface coating, if the coating is broken the seal is compromised, but Vitremela can easily be repaired by recoating the surface – and there is no need to strip off the previous coating before it can be reapplied.
Like Intensifia, Vitremela is a zero VOC, LEED and REACH compliant, environmentally responsible product.
It is intended primarily for protecting worktops, table tops, bathroom vanities, splashbacks and floors, in residential and commercial projects, that are made from acid sensitive materials such as marble, limestone, travertine and engineered stone. But its use does not have to be restricted to interiors because it does not rapidly deteriorate outside.