This-N-That
Understanding Stone Finishes
Fort Worth, Texas--A basic understanding that all cleaning professionals must have when cleaning and maintaining stone floors—such as marble and granite—is how the floor has been finished.
This is not always an easy assessment, yet it can make a significant difference in how the floor is cared for. Using the wrong chemicals or performing unacceptable floor-care tasks on stone floors can have serious implications.
So, how do you know how a stone floor has been finished? There are actually three types of finishes that may be applied to stone floors:
1. A polished finish produces a glossy shine. With this finish, light is actually reflecting off of the floor, like a diamond or mirror, making it appear glossy. Similar to other types of hard surface floors, regular maintenance of a polished stone floor involves buffing with an appropriate pad and using chemicals, sealants, and finishes (wax) designed for stone floors.
2. A honed finish, on the other hand, has less of a reflective shine. Instead, the surface is often referred to as having a “satin” or smooth appearance. Honed finished stone are commonly found on floors, stairs, and “thresholds” (transition areas from one floor surface to another). Regular maintenance of this finish is similar to a polished stone floor however a finish may not be necessary.
3. A flamed finish typically applies to granite and has a textured, rough appearance. While it is a more natural-looking stone, it can require more cleaning attention than either a polished or honed floor because it is more porous. If sealed—which is often recommended—it can be maintained just like the other stone floor finishes mentioned.
“The common denominator of all three finishes involves daily or regular maintenance,” says Mike Englund, a floor-care specialist and product manager at Powr-Flite. “Keeping the [stone] floor as clean as possible is the best way to keep it looking its best no matter how it is finished.”
For more floor-care tips, visit www.powr-flite.com .
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Field Notes
BioSafe Systems announces a new partnership with P. Allen Smith. An award-winning garden, design, and lifestyle expert, Allen will be helping BioSafe spread the word about their gardening and home products.
Neptune-Benson, LLC, a manufacturer of commercial aquatic filtration systems, has acquired Engineered Treatment Systems, LLC, producer of ultraviolet technology for aquatic, industrial and municipal applications.
Brock International has become an Official Education Partner of The Sports Legacy Institute, a Boston-based non-profit organization founded to advance the study, treatment, and prevention of brain trauma in athletes and other at-risk groups.
Alpine Bike Parks and the International Mountain Bicycling Association are working together to promote and establish Alpine's FlowForm products as the new standard in bike park and trail features.
BSN SPORTS, Inc. acquired the assets of GameDay Athletic Supply located in St. Joseph, Minn.
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Lyon Introduces Modular Drawer Cabinet Catalog
Aurora, Ill.—LYON Workspace Products has launched its latest literature of solutions for high-density storage--the new Modular Drawer Cabinets catalog! The benefits of this improved group of LYON products, as compared to typical shelving, includes better parts accessibility; better protection; better organization; better efficiency; and better space utilization resulting in a 60-percent reduction in a typical storage footprint. For more information, visit www.lyonworkspace.com .
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Word On The Web
On “Leaping Into The 21st Century,” September 7 Week-Ender blog post:
Just came from where you are—smartphone or dumb phone? After much research and confusion, I decided to stay with the dumb phone. That saved me $1,400 over two years. I plan to use the $1,400 for a vacation to give my brain a break from internet overload. Sounds like a great plan to me!
Diane Short
Program
Coordinator
Gadsden, Ala.
Note: Not receiving the Week-Ender blog? Start/renew your subscription at www.parksandrecbusiness.com for this exclusive online content.
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Letters
Ciancutti Turns On The Charm
Ron:
I found your article, “Good Luck Charm,” PRB September 2012, very much like my own story.
My partner and I used to travel quite frequently to New York for “fun weekends” and noticed the subway tokens occasionally changed in style. We later learned this was when the city decided to do a price increase.
We, too, decided to wear one token and had it encased in a gold holder and then on a gold chain. I still wear mine and it is now over 30 years old. Through the years, some of the lettering has worn off, but I still get enjoyment out of wearing it. Many people notice and often ask what it is.
I now have a complete collection of all New York subway tokens mounted in a display case.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Robert J. Schuetz
Owner/General
www.floatstorage.com
www.urbanpatioliving.com
214-352-4690
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Rain Bird Announces Training Schedule
TUCSON, Ariz.—Rain Bird Services Corporation announced the dates and locations of its 2013 Rain Bird Academy training season. Academy classes provide training on the installation, maintenance and design of irrigation systems. Because the classes are non-manufacturer-specific, there’s no product sales pitch or promotion. Additional information and online registration are available at www.rainbirdservicescorporation.com/training , or call (800) 498-1942.
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Calendar
2013
January
15-19 STMA Conference and Exhibition, Daytona Beach, Fla.--Daytona Beach Convention Center; www.stma.org
February
4-6 Southeast Pool & Spa Show, Atlanta, Ga.—Cobb Galleria Centre; www.midamericashow.com
25-27 Ohio Parks & Recreation Association Annual Conference, Columbus, Ohio; www.opraonline.org
March
4-7 16th Annual New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show, Providence, R.I.—Rhode Island Convention Center; (401) 848-0004, or www.nertf.org
6-7 California & Pacific Southwest Recreation & Park Training Conference & Expo, San Jose, Calif.--San Jose McEnery Convention Center; www.cprs.org
13-15 Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference and Tradeshow, Fort Smith, Ark.—Fort Smith Convention Center; www.arkarpa.org