Material library
Stone reference & guides
Browse live stone reference pages and read guides on choosing, using, and caring for the material.
3 reference pages live · Stone
Guides
Stone guides & comparisons
In-depth articles on choosing, using, and caring for stone — with links to individual material reference pages.
From geology to stone tile
Limestone, slate, and travertine start in geology — not in a showroom. Here is how rock types differ before you buy.
Read guide →Concrete, microcement, and terrazzo — what the differences actually are
"Concrete look" covers several different materials with very different installation methods and long-term behaviour. Here is what separates poured concrete from microcement and terrazzo.
Read guide →Engineered quartz, sintered stone, and solid surface explained
None of these are geological materials — they are manufactured to solve specific problems that natural stone does not. Knowing what each is actually made from clarifies why they behave so differently.
Read guide →How to care for natural stone floors day to day
Travertine, limestone, and slate each fail in different ways when cared for like a ceramic tile floor. Here is what actually protects them long term.
Read guide →Large-format porcelain panels — pros and cons
Fewer grout lines and a slab-like look come with real handling and installation trade-offs most homeowners never see before the quote arrives.
Read guide →Polished concrete floors — what to expect day to day
Polished concrete is durable and low-maintenance, but it is not maintenance-free, and cracking behaviour surprises a lot of first-time owners.
Read guide →Porcelain tile vs natural stone
Porcelain is factory-made, low-porosity, and consistent. Natural stone is geological — unique, porous to varying degrees, and often more expensive to install. Which fits your room?
Read guide →Granite vs quartzite countertops
Both are hard, natural, and heat-resistant — but they are geologically different, and "quartzite" is one of the most mislabeled stones sold at fabricator showrooms.
Read guide →Zellige tile — what to know before you buy
Handmade Moroccan zellige looks nothing like the machine-made "zellige-look" tile most retailers actually sell. Here is the real difference and why it matters for the quote.
Read guide →Microcement vs tile for bathrooms
Microcement gives a seamless, grout-free bathroom look, but it behaves very differently from tile in wet zones — know the trade-offs before ripping out existing tile.
Read guide →Engineered quartz vs natural stone countertops
Engineered quartz never needs sealing and resists staining better than most natural stone — but it is not heat-proof, and it is not natural stone, whatever the showroom display implies.
Read guide →
Reference
Stone material pages
Canonical pages with origin, character, best uses, care, and images — one surface at a time.
StoneGranite
Quarried worldwide; major sources include Brazil, India, Norway, and China
Granite is an igneous rock formed from cooled magma, prized for its hardness and resistance to scratching. It is a practical choice for kitchen countertops where durability matters.
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StoneLimestone
Quarried widely across Europe, the Middle East, and North America; notable sources includ…
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcite. It is chosen for its soft, matte appearance and the warm, earthy tones it brings to interior floors.
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StoneTravertine
Quarried primarily in Italy (Tivoli), Turkey, Iran, and Mexico
Travertine is a sedimentary limestone formed by mineral springs, recognised by its natural voids and warm, banded surface. People choose it for its earthy texture and softer appearance compared to polished marble.
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