Guides
Straight answers about stone and tile.
What we tell clients in the showroom every week: finishes, sealing, showers, pools, slabs and lead times.
Honed vs polished marble: which finish should you choose?
Polished marble is glossy and deepens the color and veining, but it shows etching and scratches more and is slick when wet. Honed marble has a soft matte surface that hides everyday wear and offers more grip, which makes it the safer pick for kitchens, floors and baths.
Is marble OK in a shower? Finishes, sealing and care
Yes, marble works well in a shower when you choose the right finish, seal it and accept that it will gain a soft patina over time. Use honed, textured or mosaic marble on the floor for grip, keep acidic and harsh cleaners off it, and pick a denser stone if you want less upkeep.
Quartzite vs marble for kitchen counters
True quartzite is much harder than marble and resists etching from lemon, wine and vinegar, so it is the better choice if you want a light, veined counter with less worry. Marble is softer and will etch, but it wears into a beautiful patina; whichever you pick, test the slab, because some stones sold as quartzite are really marble or dolomite.
How and when to seal natural stone
Seal natural stone with a penetrating (impregnating) sealer after installation and again whenever water stops beading, which for most kitchens and baths lands somewhere between once a year and every few years. Sealing slows stains from soaking in; it does not prevent etching, scratches or wear.
Porcelain pavers vs natural stone around a pool
For most Northeast pool decks, 2 cm porcelain pavers are the lowest-maintenance choice: they absorb almost no water, shrug off freeze-thaw and salt, resist stains and come in slip-rated textured finishes. Natural stone such as travertine, limestone or bluestone gives a warmer, more organic look and can perform beautifully too, but you need a dense, exterior-rated stone, good drainage and regular sealing.
Slab vs tile: when to use full slabs
Use full slabs when you want continuous veining, few or no grout lines and a bookmatched statement, especially on shower walls, feature walls and counters. Use tile when you need flexibility, easier access, lighter weight and a lower installed cost, and on floors, where smaller pieces add grip and forgive uneven substrates.
Filled vs unfilled travertine: which should you use?
Filled travertine has its natural holes packed with a cement or resin fill for a smooth, easy-clean surface, which suits interior floors, walls and baths. Unfilled travertine keeps its open pores for a rustic, textured look, which is why tumbled or unfilled travertine is often chosen for patios and pool decks.
Limestone flooring: a practical guide
Limestone makes a calm, beautiful floor, but limestones vary widely: dense, low-absorption stones handle kitchens, halls and even exteriors, while softer, more porous ones belong in quieter rooms. Choose a honed or brushed finish for grip and a forgiving look, seal it, and clean it only with pH-neutral products.
Lead times for imported stone and tile
Material stocked in the USA ships in days, and samples ship the same day; material made to order in Spain or specially ordered from Italy takes about 10 weeks. Custom work runs on its own clock: about 8 to 12 weeks for custom-cut stone and waterjet, 10 to 12 weeks for CNC, and a sample in 2 to 3 weeks, then about 10 weeks, for a custom mosaic.
Authentic zellige vs zellige-look tile
Authentic zellige is hand-cut, hand-glazed Moroccan clay tile, so every piece varies in color, thickness and edge, with chips and pits that are part of the charm. Zellige-look ceramic or porcelain copies that glossy, shifting surface on a machine-made body, giving you a flatter, more consistent tile and an easier install, but without the true handmade depth.