Granite is an igneous rock, formed through the cooling and solidification of magma (or lava) and composed of feldspar, quartz and mica minerals. As a hard stone, it is very durable and less-porous so it won’t easily stain. It is heat-resistant and requires little to no maintenance (sealing).
Marble is a metamorphic stone, composed of dolomite and calcite minerals. It comes in many different colours and shades, but the most popular colour is white. Marble is a softer, more porous stone so it can be easily stained, scratched and etched with acidic liquids. Regular sealing is required. It is primarily recommended for indoor use and in applications where there is a lower chance of acid-wear, such as in bathrooms and on fireplaces.
Limestone is a sedimentary stone, primarily composed of calcium carbonate. As it was formed over time in clear, warm, shallow marine waters, it is embedded with ancient aquatic fossils. It is a soft, porous stone so it can be easily stained. Regular sealing is required. It is generally recommended for indoor use only and in applications where there is a lower chance of acid-wear, such as in bathrooms, on fireplaces and living room floors.
Onyx is a fragile derivative of marble, mostly made of calcite. It is more translucent and therefore can usually be back-lit. Because it is a softer, porous stone, it does scratch easily and is best suited for lower-traffic areas. Regular sealing and maintenance is required.
Travertine is a form of limestone that was forged in mineral hot springs across the globe. It is known for its consistent colour, long streaks, and elegance. Travertine formations are more porous in character and are typically filled with resin or grout to make the material resistant to weathering and wear. It is available in various beautiful shades of beige, white and cream. Sealing and regular maintenance is required as it can be easily stained.
Quartzite is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic stone that was originally composed of pure quartz sandstone. Its appearance is similar to marble but, having the same durability as granite, it is well-suited for higher traffic areas, such as kitchens. As a hard, less porous stone, it won’t easily stain. Little maintenance is required.
Soapstone is mainly composed talc and chlorite. Typical colours are grey, black, and green. Though soapstone is the densest natural stone and extremely resistant to acids, it is ironically also the “softest” stone and can be most easily scratched, even carved. Due to its high density, sealing is not required, though mineral oil is generally used to oil out any scratches over time.
Engineered Stone (also know as “Quartz”) is a manufactured material. It is quartz stone that has been crushed and mixed with resin or another binding agent. The patterns and colours in quartz countertops are manmade and usually replicate the look of natural stone.
Large format porcelain slabs available in 6mm or 12mm thickness. Porcelain slabs have all the technical advantages of porcelain floor tiles, while utilizing innovative printing technologies to emulate the look of natural stone.