Is a polished finish suitable for stairs?

A high polish can be slippery, particularly when wet or in leather-soled shoes, so many people prefer a honed or satin finish on stairs. We will talk through the options before you decide.

Is it a problem if the building is listed?

Not for cleaning and polishing, which is maintenance. Changes to the stone itself are different, and the owner or local authority should be asked first.

Can the work be planned around an embassy’s hours and security?

We can plan around set hours and security procedures if we have the details in advance. Honing and polishing is wet and noisy, so the area usually needs to be closed off while it is done.

SW1X

Marble & Natural Stone Cleaning in Belgravia

Marble cleaning, polishing and restoration for the entrance halls, staircases and townhouse floors of Belgravia.

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Belgravia’s stucco townhouses and the embassies around Belgrave Square were built to impress as you walk in, and a stone entrance hall or marble staircase is part of that. Many of these floors have been in place for well over a century, which gives them a character new stone cannot match, and a history of wear and past treatments that is often unknown.

Stone of this age can usually be restored, because honing and polishing takes off only a very thin layer and a solid period floor has plenty to spare. The first step is always to identify the stone and find out what has been done to it before, since that decides which method is appropriate.

Entrance halls and grand staircases

Marble treads show wear at the front edge of each step and in the centre of the tread where feet land, and landings take the most turning traffic. Honing a staircase is slower than a flat floor, because each step is treated individually.

We would assess the stairs and agree the finish, polished or honed, before starting, because a high polish can be slippery underfoot.

Embassies, security and heritage

Work in a diplomatic or heritage building usually involves more than the floor itself: security procedures, set hours, and sometimes heritage constraints.

Cleaning and polishing is maintenance, which does not normally need listed building consent, whereas changing or replacing the stone does. If you are unsure, check with the building’s owner or the local authority.

Our products and methods

We use carefully selected cleaning products and follow manufacturer instructions. Product suitability is checked according to the type of stone and the requirements of each property.

Getting a quote in Belgravia

Send photos of the stone, and tell us about access requirements and whether the building is listed. We cover all of Belgravia (SW1X) and plan around any security procedures given to us in advance.

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Marble and stone cleaning in Belgravia: questions

Almost always. Honing and polishing removes a thin layer of the surface, so as long as there is enough depth of stone, which a solid period floor nearly always has, it can be brought back to an even finish.

For the official position on listed building consent, see Historic England’s listed building consent guidance.

Marble & Stone Cleaning in Other London Areas

Mayfair Pimlico Holland Park Kensington Chelsea Notting Hill Fulham

Where we work

All of London, with detailed pages for the neighbourhoods on our areas page.

Monday–Saturday 9am – 6pm · Sunday 11am – 6pm

WhatsApp 07450 685 689