Stone Floors FAQs

Dull traffic lanes, lippage, scratches and sealing.

Concrete & Commercial Floor Refinishing

Floor refinishing in Chicago is not only for marble foyers. Concrete floor refinishing in Chicago turns stained, dusty slabs in basements, garages, lofts and retail spaces into dense, polished floors through diamond grinding, densifying and progressive polishing. Commercial concrete floor refinishing in Chicago is planned in phases for warehouses, showrooms, gyms and breweries so the business keeps running while we work overnight or in sections. Terrazzo, granite and limestone floors in lobbies, corridors and restrooms are restored with the same planetary machines. Each commercial floor is evaluated on site before a written scope is prepared, and a maintenance plan is included so the finish lasts.

Scratched, Dull, or Worn Floors? Here's What We Fix

Traffic lanes worn through the polish, scratches from grit and furniture, dull etched patches in kitchens, lippage between uneven tiles, dark grout lines and old topical coatings that peel are the problems that bring homeowners to stone floor restoration in Chicago. Marble floor polishing in Chicago uses wet diamond honing to cut below the damage, then refines the stone back to a honed or high-gloss finish that is consistent across the whole floor. Travertine and limestone are filled and honed, terrazzo is ground and polished, slate is stripped and resealed. Every floor is finished with a penetrating sealer and clear care instructions.

Common questions about stone floors

Can dull traffic lanes in a marble or terrazzo floor be brought back?

Yes. Traffic wear is micro-scratching in the finish. We diamond-hone the entire floor through a grit sequence and re-polish, so lanes disappear and the finish is even wall to wall rather than patched.

What is lippage and can you fix it?

Lippage is when adjacent tiles sit at different heights. We grind the floor flat so tile edges disappear, then hone and polish it as one continuous surface. Flattening is quoted separately because it takes more time than a polish.

How long does a stone floor restoration take and can we stay in the house?

Most residential floors take one to three days depending on size and condition. The process is wet and low-dust, work is done in sections, and you can remain at home. Floors are walkable as soon as each section dries.

What is lippage and can it be fixed?

Lippage is when tile edges sit higher than their neighbors. We grind the floor flat so the transitions disappear, then hone and polish the surface. Removing lippage also makes the floor easier to clean and safer to walk on.

Can I stay in my home during floor restoration?

Yes. Our process is wet and low-dust, and we work room by room. Floors are walkable at the end of each day, and most residential jobs finish in one to three days depending on square footage.

Why are there dull paths in my stone floor?

Traffic lanes are micro-scratches from grit tracked in on shoes. Honing removes the scratched layer and polishing restores the shine. Entry mats and regular dust mopping slow the wear pattern from coming back.

Stone Floors service page · All FAQ topics

Granite Heroes — owner-operated natural stone restoration in Chicago and Chicagoland. Serving Chicagoland since 2014, backed by 20+ years of combined technician experience. Monday-Saturday, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM CT. Call (312) 800-1659.