A lot of older floors are not simply made of a single material but can often consist of elaborate patterns and designs as well, which can complicate a stone floor restoration exercise.
The most complex issue when it comes to stonework patterns is in the field of floor medallions, intricate circular mosaic inlays that act as a centrepiece of the floor.
Whilst they are still popular in certain types of design less attached to minimalism, medallions are commonly associated with older tile, marble and stone flooring, and because of this can be a complicated part of any restoration.
There is no universal approach to restoring natural floors of any kind and medallions are no exception. However, much greater care will need to be taken with deep restorations than would be with other flooring due to the floor pieces typically being smaller than typical stone tiles would be.
If there are missing pieces, it will take some time to plan a restoration in order to find a like-for-like replacement before moving forward with any restoration work. Usually, this research will be started first and take place alongside any other straightforward restoration.
As with any restoration work, the key to success will be about balancing ideal aesthetics with authentic heritage. Whilst the choice will be down to the customer to make an informed decision about how they want their floor to look.
If you want to retain its original character, that will require a different approach than being ready for a much more substantial modification.
The final step is choosing the right anti-slip sealant to preserve the floor in future. This is the biggest part of any care approach, as an effective sealant allows for a more streamlined and easier cleaning routine in future, as it would avoid issues with dirt or impact damage cracking the edges of the medallion.