4 Commons Myths About Natural Stone

4 commons myths about natural stone

The striking beauty of natural stone is undeniable, especially stone like marble and granite. However, there is as much misinformation floating around about natural stone as there is accurate information, especially on the internet! Part of our vision here at Euro Marble is to educate Australians about the wonders of natural stone as a building material, so we’ve written this article to expose some of the most common myths about marble, granite and other types of natural stone:

Myth 1: Natural Stone Is Extremely Difficult to Maintain

Natural stone is actually a very durable material and once proper precautions are taken, it’s not that difficult to maintain at all. It’s important to properly seal the natural stone prior to its first use and at recommended intervals after that, the frequency of which depends on the type of stone and the area where it is being used. Aside from that, apply common sense and wipe up spills quickly, use coasters etc and your natural stone will be surprisingly low-maintenance!

Myth 2: Marble Should Never Be Used for Kitchen Benchtops

This is a very common misconception about natural stone. Like any surface, it needs to be looked after and cleaned regularly to stay in peak condition, however, on the contrary, it is actually the perfect choice for baking. Its cool, hard surface makes it the ideal surface for rolling dough and for this reason many busy bakeries won’t have any other material in their kitchens! Marble can etch however if it comes in contact with acidic substances such as citrus or alcohol, so ensure spills are wiped promptly and thoroughly.

Myth 3: Natural Stone Will Go Out of Style

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Natural stone has literally been used for thousands of years in residential and commercial construction, including some of the wonders of the ancient world. If anything, it’s one of the safest options when it comes to timelessness as far as building materials are concerned. The elegance and striking beauty of natural stone have bypassed design trends for centuries and will continue to do so.

Myth 4: Natural Stone is Too Expensive

Another hugely inaccurate piece of information floating around about natural stone is that it’s only suitable for projects with huge budgets. This couldn’t be further from the truth and while certain types of rare stone do come with a significant price tag, there are a vast array of options to suit far more modest budgets. Add to this the extensive list of advantages of natural stone compared to man-made materials, and it becomes a fantastic and cost-effective option. Here at Euro Marble, we’re one of the pioneers of Natural Stone, including Italian Marble, here in Australia. We’ll be more than happy to debunk some other common myths for you when you drop by our Sydney showroom, and happy to offer advice about the best natural stone for your particular budget and project!

What Is Marble Etching and How to Prevent It

marble etching and prevent it

Here at Euro Marble, we’re often asked about etching on marble. Our customers ask us what it is, what causes it and if it can be prevented and/or removed once it’s occurred. As a result, we decided to put together this article to answer the questions we’re commonly asked.

What is etching on marble?

Marble etching is physical damage to the stone, generally caused by the marble coming into contact with certain substances containing acids including coffee, citrus, wine, tomatoes, alcohol and juice. This is different to a stain as etching is actually a corrosive reaction in the stone, which removes its surface layer to reveal the raw marble beneath. Think of it as burning the top layer of the marble. As a result, the exposed area is lighter and duller than it previously was. A stain on the other hand, occurs when a liquid penetrates the marble and causes discolouration within the stone.

Can Etching Be Prevented?

The good news is that there are many ways to reduce the likelihood of your marble becoming etched. These include the below:

  • A quality marble sealer is recommended to reduce the porosity of the stone meaning quickly wiped spills are less likely to etch the stone.
  • As per the previous point, if an acidic substance does come in contact with your marble, be sure to clean it immediately with a clean, damp cloth.
  • A honed surface is less susceptible to etching than a polished finish. If you are using natural stone in an area where it’s very likely to come into contact with acidic substances such as a high-traffic kitchen benchtop, consider a honed finish for your natural stone to reduce the visibility of etching.
  • Use coasters and chopping boards to prevent food and drink coming into direct contact with the marble wherever possible.
  • Be careful what you use to clean your natural stone as many multi-purpose cleaning sprays are acidic. We recommend using a cleaning spray specifically made for treating natural stone.

Can Marble Etching Be Reversed?

Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to reverse etching on marble once it has occurred as it’s a chemical reaction. There are certain polishing products you can use but it will never be as good as new unless you hire a natural stone professional to sand down the entire surface and re-finish it. Prevention is easier than a cure when it comes to etching and natural stone!

Here at Euro Marble, we’re one of the leading providers of Italian marble and many other types of natural stone here in Australia. Drop by our Sydney showroom, or call or email us today to discuss your individual natural stone requirements!