MARBLE, QUARTZITE, GRANITE, COMPOSITE, CERAMIC...
Read about the different types of (natural) stone with the advantages and disadvantages, the many possibilities and tips and tricks for maintenance.
NATURAL STONE
Mother nature has given us endless types of natural stone. This is because the different conditions on earth have shaped numerous types of rock over the centuries. As a result, natural stone is and remains a unique product with its many small and large differences in colour, material and structure.
MARBLE
ADVANTAGES
Unique patterns
Timeless
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CONS
Soft
Sensitive to acids
TIPS
Try to avoid contact with acidic products as much as possible while cleaning or preparing food.
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TRICKS
In case of contact with acid-containing detergents, rinse immediately with water, lots of water!
The word 'marble' comes from the Greek word 'marmaros' meaning 'shining stone'.
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This metamorphic limestone, recognizable by the crystals in the fracture surface, is available in many colors (varying from grey, to pink and white) and often with a spectacular pattern.
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Marble is a soft type of stone and is therefore relatively 'easy' to work with, which is why it has traditionally been very popular in sculpture.
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It is a classic that cannot be ignored in the interior world, a feast for the eyes and enrichment of your interior.
Quartzite (or English: quartzite) is a rock consisting mainly of the mineral quartz.
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Quartzite comes from quartz sand that was initially compacted into sandstone.
Individual grains of sand can still be seen in such sandstone.
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Due to further hardening due to pressure and temperature or due to the deposition of bonded pebbles, the sand grains are no longer visible after a while.
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Quartzite has the looks of marble but has durable properties that make it a perfect alternative.
QUARTZITE
ADVANTAGES
Sustainable
Looks of marble, hard as granite
Maintenance friendly​
UV resistant: does not become dull or matte
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CONS
Relatively fragile
Heat sensitive
TIPS
Use minimal cleaning products. A little soapy water is sufficient.​
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TRICKS
Never put a hot pan on your counter. Always use a coaster to prevent discoloration or thermal shock.
GRANITE
ADVANTAGES
Extremely hard
Scratch resistant
Heat resistant
Wear-resistant
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CONS
Slightly porous
Sensitive
TIPS
Never use abrasives or harsh cleaners.
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TRICKS
Never clean your granite with a greasy cloth. This creates a layer in which stains appear.
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The name of this igneous rock is derived from the Latin 'granus', meaning 'grain'.
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Granite is mined all over the world in all kinds. The variation in colors and structures is endless.
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Well-known species are, for example, Nero Zimbabwe, Impala and Steel Gray.
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Because granite is somewhat porous, the material must be impregnated when used in kitchen worktops, for example.
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Granite is a very durable product. The material is durable and will be a wonderful addition to your kitchen or interior.
Bluestone, hardstone, arduin or Petit Granite is a more or less pronounced blue-grey limestone.
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This type of stone is characterised by the presence of a large number of remains of crinoids (sea lilies), animals with calcium skeletons that usually live on the seabed. When they died, their calcareous skeletons remained on the bottom. Together with deposits of calcite they forged together, layers of hard stone were formed over millions of years. The stone is thus a combination of crinoids in a microcrystalline calcite.
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The colour is determined by the amount of very finely dispersed plate debris (carbon).
BLUESTONE
ADVANTAGES
Natural product
Authentic stone
Contains fossils and calcareous veins
Craftable (fringing)
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CONS
Relatively stain- and scratch resistant
Sensitive to heat
TIPS
If possible, try to spill greasy substances to avoid hard-to-remove stains.
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TRICKS
Use mild detergents such as green soap for daily cleaning.
CERAMICS
ADVANTAGES
Heat resistant
Low maintenance
Hygienic
Matte ceramic is scratch resistant​
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CONS
Hard and therefore sensitive to impact
Polished ceramics scratch easily
TIPS
With ceramics you can unceremoniously put your hot oven dish on the sheet. Ceramic is up to 450 degrees Celsius file!
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TRICKS
For more stubborn stains, use a light abrasive. But watch out; only with matt ceramics, never with high gloss!
The main components of this composite material are clay, feldspar, zircon and quartz. All natural raw materials, which means that ceramics can be regarded as an ecological product.
The very hard baked material (at a temperature of approximately 1200º C) is available in 6, 12 and 20 mm thick. A miter gluing technique makes it possible to give a worktop any desired thickness.
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The various properties make ceramic very suitable for kitchen worktops, but also as wall and floor covering.
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The surface is colourfast and available in many colors and structures.
Thanks to current techniques, ceramics are supplied with indistinguishable 'marble prints'.
Composite consists of a mixture of broken or ground natural stone (quartz) supplemented with synthetic resin, dye and possibly glass particles.
The whole is compressed under high pressure into a plate that is then formed into plate material by heat.
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Because of its strength and wear resistance, but also because of the many beautiful colors and patterns, composite is widely used for kitchen countertops, bathroom cladding, window sills, floors and wall coverings, among other things.
Thanks to the large dimensions, only a minimum number of joints is required.
We also supply solid Silestone composite sinks.
COMPOSITE
ADVANTAGES
Scratch resistant
Hygienic
Wide choice of colours
Shock and abrasion resistant
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CONS
Sensitive to heat
Solid black blades are susceptible to staining
TIPS
Never place hot pans directly on the composite. The resin will then discolour. This is irreversible.
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TRICKS
Do not use abrasives or aggressive cleaning agents.