Care of Mermerit (Cultured Marble) Sinks and Countertops
The lifespan of a mermerit sink depends on the thin gelcoat layer on its surface. We cover daily cleaning, limescale and yellowing, hairline cracks, restoring shine, and how to decide between repair and replacement.
Read More: Care of Mermerit (Cultured Marble) Sinks and CountertopsMarble-Look Porcelain Tile: Is It Maintained Like Natural Stone?
Marble-look porcelain tile resembles marble but is not maintained like marble. We cover marks on polished porcelain, grout dirt, how acidic products affect grout, why honing isn't possible, and the right routine.
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Care of Microcement and Micro-Concrete Surfaces
Microcement is a coating only a few millimeters thick, and what really protects it is the topcoat of varnish. We cover the first month of curing, daily cleaning, scratches and stains, maintenance polish, renewal, and the limits of repair.
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Why Do Quartz Countertops Crack and Yellow? The Effects of Heat and Sunlight
The weak point of a quartz composite countertop is not the quartz but the resin inside it. We explain thermal shock cracks, the risks around the cooktop and oven, yellowing from sunlight, whether damage can be repaired, and how to prevent it.
Read More: Why Do Quartz Countertops Crack and Yellow? The Effects of Heat and SunlightCaring for Sintered Surfaces: Porcelain Slab Countertops and Floors
Sintered and porcelain slab surfaces resist stains and heat, but their edges are sensitive to impact and they cannot be honed like stone. We cover daily care, stains and limescale, the limits of repair, and where stone products fit in.
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How to Photograph Your Floor for a Quote: A Proper Preliminary Assessment
A few well-taken phone photos speed up the preliminary assessment of your floor. We explain overall, close-up and side-light shots, how to show problems, how to add measurements and how to submit them through the form.
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Grout Joint Width and Grout Color Selection in Marble Flooring
Even a marble floor that looks jointless is actually laid with a fine joint. We explain the factors that determine joint width, movement joints, filler types, color selection and grout staining.
Read More: Grout Joint Width and Grout Color Selection in Marble FlooringDoes Marble Come into Contact with Food? Countertops, Pastry Boards and Serving Plates
Marble does not harm food, but some foods harm marble. We cover hygiene, acidic foods, whether sealers are food-safe, and proper cleaning for countertops, pastry boards and serving plates.
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Natural Stone and Radon: Is a Granite Countertop Harmful to Health?
News that granite countertops emit radon can cause concern. Drawing on scientific sources, we explain natural radioactivity, the main source of radon in the home, the real contribution of a countertop, measurement, and ventilation.
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The Mohs Hardness Scale and Natural Stone: How Hardness Determines Care
Why does sand scratch marble but not granite? We explain the logic of the Mohs scale, the hardness of calcite, quartz and feldspar, and how hardness affects honing time, product choice and daily care.
Read More: The Mohs Hardness Scale and Natural Stone: How Hardness Determines CareNatural Stone and Sustainability: Longevity, Restoration and the Environment
The greatest environmental strength of natural stone is its long life and the fact that it can be renewed. We cover the waste advantage of honing instead of removing, local stone, honing with water recovery, and green building assessments.
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Underfloor Heating and Natural Stone: Expansion and Installation Rules
Natural stone conducts heat well and is compatible with underfloor heating, but the heating cycle makes the screed, adhesive and stone move. We explain the initial heating schedule, movement joints and cracking risks.
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Screed Moisture in Stone Flooring: The Value to Measure Before Installation
Marble laid on damp screed responds with stains that last for months, salt marks and swollen slabs. We explain how screed dries, how moisture is measured and when installation can begin.
Read More: Screed Moisture in Stone Flooring: The Value to Measure Before InstallationMarble Installation Methods: Mortar Bed, Adhesive and Raised Pedestal Installation
Whether marble is laid in mortar, with adhesive or on pedestals directly determines hollow spots, stains and moisture problems. We compare the three methods, large-format slabs and the effect of installation quality on polishing.
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Technical Values of Natural Stone: Water Absorption, Compressive Strength and Abrasion Resistance
What do the water absorption, density, compressive and flexural strength, abrasion and frost values in a technical datasheet tell you? We explain which line to check for which use, and the mistakes people make when reading a datasheet.
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Quality Control When Buying Natural Stone: Choosing Slabs and Recognizing Defects
The quality of natural stone is revealed not after it is installed, but when you look at the slab in the warehouse. We have prepared an inspection checklist covering thickness, flatness, cracks and resin filling, color lot, and edge finishing.
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On the basalt and andesite of squares, sidewalks and building entrances, chewing gum, grease and white lime residue stand out immediately against the dark surface. We explain the right method for each type of stain, the limits of machine cleaning, and a maintenance plan.
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Sandstone and Slate: Outdoor Care for Layered Stones
Sandstone and slate deteriorate outdoors mostly along their layers: they flake, split and turn green with algae. We explain how to choose a chemical based on the binder, the limits of pressure washing, and breathable impregnation.
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Maintaining Backlit Onyx Panels
Because they transmit light, backlit onyx panels show every speck of dust, fingerprint, and hairline crack, and heat and ultraviolet light also wear down the stone and resin. We explain cleaning, inspections, and the limits of polishing.
Read More: Maintaining Backlit Onyx PanelsVein-Cut and Cross-Cut Travertine: How Does Cutting Direction Affect Maintenance?
When the same travertine block is cut perpendicular or parallel to its layers, it looks and behaves like a completely different stone. We explain how cutting direction affects pore distribution, wear, appearance and maintenance.
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Unfilled (Open-Pored) Travertine: Maintaining the Natural Look
Unfilled travertine is a natural surface whose pores are deliberately left open, but those pores collect dirt, leaves and moisture. We explain the cleaning brush, outdoor care and when filling is needed.
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Limestone Floor Care: What to Watch for with Beige and Cream Stones
Most stones sold as beige marble on the market are actually limestone. We explain how limestone differs from marble, its softness and water absorption, the risk of stains, the honed finish and suitable impregnation.
Read More: Limestone Floor Care: What to Watch for with Beige and Cream StonesFactory Resin Filling in Granite: What Happens If the Filler Comes Out?
Many granite slabs are reinforced with resin at the factory; over time this filler can yellow, fall out and leave pits, or mark under heat. We explain how to recognize a resin-treated slab, how to repair it, and how to approach impregnation.
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Granite in Türkiye: Main Granite Regions and Stones
In Türkiye, granite is concentrated in Western, Central and Northeastern Anatolia, and most domestic granites are in shades of gray. We cover the main regions, well-known trade names, areas of use, and how they differ from imported granite.
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