Choosing & caring for natural stone

Marble is prized for its veining and soft, luminous look — ideal for bathrooms, feature walls, fireplaces and low-traffic worktops. It is softer and porous, so it etches with acids (lemon, vinegar, wine) and needs a little more care.

Granite is hard, heat-resistant and very durable — an excellent everyday kitchen worktop that shrugs off scratches and hot pans. Patterns range from uniform to dramatic.

Quartzite combines a marble-like look with granite-like hardness — a great choice when you want the elegance of marble with more resilience.

Polished — a glossy, reflective surface that deepens colour and veining; the classic, easy-to-clean choice.

Honed — a smooth matte finish, understated and contemporary; hides water marks well but can show more on lighter stones.

Leather / brushed — a soft textured finish that masks fingerprints and is very forgiving on darker stones.

The same stone can look completely different across finishes — always see a sample in the finish you want, in your own light.

Wipe spills promptly, especially acidic ones on marble. Clean with warm water and a pH-neutral stone cleaner — not vinegar, lemon, bleach or generic degreasers, which dull and etch the surface.

Use trivets under hot pans (even on granite, to protect any sealer) and a board for cutting — you protect both the stone and your knives.

Most porous stones (marble, many quartzites) benefit from a penetrating sealer that slows absorption, giving you time to wipe spills. A simple test: drop a little water on the surface — if it darkens quickly, it’s time to re-seal (typically every 1–2 years, depending on use).

For an oil or organic stain, a poultice draws it out; for an etch mark on polished marble, light polishing restores the shine. When in doubt, ask us before trying a strong product.

For worktops and cladding, a precise on-site measurement (a template) after the cabinets are installed gives the best fit. Plan sink and hob cut-outs, overhangs and edge profiles early — they shape both the look and the price.