Natural Stone for Shower Walls: Pros and Cons

Modern bathroom with natural stone shower walls and sleek fixtures.

Have you considered incorporating natural stone shower walls in your bathroom?

Natural stone shower walls can transform your bathroom into a luxurious and spa-like retreat. But while stone offers a lot of advantages, there are some drawbacks that are important to take note of.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of a natural stone tiled shower so that you can make an informed and confident decision for your next bathroom renovation.

The Pros of Using Natural Stone for Shower Walls

1. Unique Beauty

Natural stone is uniquely beautiful and offers unparalleled aesthetic elegance. Each piece of stone has its own one-of-a-kind pattern, colour and shading. This makes your shower a unique piece of art. Natural stone shower walls bring more than just a hint of sophistication, regality and beauty to your bathroom.

2. Durability

Natural stone, particularly granite and quartzite, is an incredibly durable and hardy material. It can last the lifetime of a home when properly sealed and maintained. For your shower, you need such a material. Apart from the daily use and exposure to potential scratches and chips, shower walls are also exposed to moisture, steam and water. Natural stone is a great value-for-money, long-term investment for your home.

3. Increase Home Value

Due to both its appeal and its longevity, natural stone in a house can boost a home’s resale value. Using stone in your shower is an affordable way of incorporating this fantastic and luxurious material. When or if it comes to reselling your home, the natural stone shower will stand out as an attractive feature for potential buyers.

4. Heat Retention

The last thing you want when you are having a shower, for both energy consumption and personal comfort purposes, is for the material of the walls to lose all of the heat from the shower. Natural stone has excellent heat retention properties. This means that your shower will feel warmer and be more comfortable, even during colder months. It can also help maintain a more consistent temperature in your bathroom so you won’t have to rely on artificial heating to the same degree.

5. Flexibility

Apart from the different types of natural stone, stone tiles can be provided in various sizes, shapes and styles. This means you have flexibility in installation and patterns. Whether you prefer a seamless and minimalist design or want an intricate and bold pattern, stone can be customised to suit your preference and complement the rest of your interior design choices.

6. Environmentally Friendly

Natural stone, unlike many other construction materials, requires little to no manufacturing processes. This means that there is less waste and less energy consumption in the production of natural stone tiles for the shower.  

The Cons of Using Natural Stone for Shower Walls

1. Higher Cost

Natural stone is not the cheapest of materials for use in your shower. Ceramic tiles or acrylic walls are both more affordable when it comes to installation. However, it is important to consider that while the initial investment is significant, the longevity and value add to a home more than makes it worth it.

2. Maintenance

Natural stone, when properly and periodically sealed by professionals, is durable. However, to keep it looking its best it is recommended that you conduct regular maintenance and cleaning. This will prevent water damage, staining and mould growth.

3. Porosity and Staining

Some natural stone varieties, such as marble, are more porous and can be more subject to damage. Consider the individual features of the type of natural stone you are looking at carefully before installing it in a shower and make sure that the soap and other cleaning agents you use are not likely to leave visual stains and damage. 

4. Slipping

Showers get wet, of course. Some natural stones can become quite slippery when wet which poses a safety concern. This concern can be mitigated through the choice of slip-resistant finishes and textures, but is certainly something to consider. If you are planning on only using natural stone for your shower walls but not the floor, this is unlikely to pose a problem at all.

5. Availability

Natural stone is quarried from different sites and then shipped around the world. The consequence of which is that only the stone slabs that are available from your local supplier can be chosen. Artificial materials that are manufactured in a factory are not subject to the same tight supply constraints. 

How to Find the Right Natural Stone for Your Shower

Fortunately, and as mentioned above, natural stone comes in a wide variety of colours, shades and styles. Depending on your needs and aesthetic preferences, one type of stone may be more or less suitable for your application.

Choosing the right natural stone is about balancing aesthetic preferences with functionality. The team here at Euro Marble are more than just experts in all things stone, we’re enthusiasts as well.

We would be more than happy to provide you with a custom consult to understand what your needs and wants are. Our team would love to show you around the showroom and help you discover the perfect option for your natural stone shower.

Transform Your Bathroom with Natural Stone

Ready to elevate your bathroom with the elegance of natural stone? Contact the experts at Euro Marble today for a custom consultation.
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Australia’s Engineered Stone Ban: Why natural stone reigns supreme

Modern kitchen with natural stone countertops and a sleek, minimalist design.

Australia has taken a groundbreaking step in workplace safety. 

As of 1 July 2024, the recently implemented nationwide ban on engineered stone has taken effect.

About the Ban

What exactly has been banned?

The 1 July ban prohibits the manufacturing, supplying, processing, and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs across all Australian states and territories. 

Why Has Australia Banned Engineered Stone?

This decision by the Australian government came in response to the rising cases of silicosis among workers who manufacture engineered stone.

Workers have been exposed to silica dust which is generated during the manufacturing, processing, and installation of engineered stone products. Exposure of this kind can lead to the development of lung cancer, kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The ban follows years of campaigning by doctors, trade unions, and workers, and was supported by a report of evidence supplied by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

What is the Difference Between Engineered Stone and Natural Stone?

So, what’s the difference between engineered stone, which is banned, and natural stone, which is not banned?

Engineered stone is a composite material made by man. It is produced by mixing crushed stone with a resin binder. When cut, drilled, or ground, it releases dangerous silica dust from the crystalline silica that can cause severe health issues.

By contrast, natural stone is–for want of a better word–natural. It is formed over millions of years in the Earth’s crust and through various environmental processes, including intense amounts of heat and pressure. 

As such, there is no need for artificial and potentially dangerous additives or a harmful manufacturing process to produce natural stone.

10 Reasons Why Natural Stone Reigns Supreme

While engineered stone is no longer an option for home owners in Australia, natural stone has long been the superior and recommended choice. Why?

1. Composition

Natural stone is quarried directly from the earth. While it is cut to size, it is not manufactured artificially in a factory. Hence it is 100% natural material. Engineered stone is manufactured using crushed natural stone (most commonly quartz) mixed with resins, binding agents and pigments.

2. Uniqueness

Engineered stone has been provided in a range of shades and styles, but because it is produced in a factory, the stone slab provided to you is hardly unique. Natural stone is one of its kind as there is no other stone exactly like that on Earth. This makes your stone benchtop, wall cladding or vanity completely unique.

3. Easy Maintenance

Being raw rock quarried from the Earth, natural stone is highly durable and hardy. While different types of stone offer different levels of porousness and hardiness, with the right professional sealing and easy maintenance routines it’s simple to maintain and keep looking fabulous. 

4. Heat Resistant

Natural stone is typically more heat resistant than most types of engineered stone. While sudden and extreme temperature exposure can still damage natural stone, it is still the hardier material as far as heat is concerned.

5. Environmental Impact

Natural stone does not require energy-intensive or polluting manufacturing processes. It is simply quarried from the ground and cut to size. This makes it the least environmentally impactful of the two options and the greener choice.

6. Appearance

Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder but natural stone’s unique, organic and wondrous look brings not just fashion but visual authenticity to any room of the house. While engineered stone tries to mimic the pattern and aesthetic of natural stone, the reality is that there is nothing that can replace the real deal. 

7. Safety

Natural stone does not pose the same health risks that engineered stone does. It contains far less crystalline silica and is not exposed to the same sort of artificial manufacturing process that has put workers’ health and lives in danger for decades.

8. Versatility

Natural stone can and has been used in a wide variety of applications across the home. This includes the more popular uses such as benchtops and splashbacks, but even fireplaces, staircases, bathroom vanities, showers, flooring and wall cladding as well.

9. Value

Natural stone is the more expensive option of the two, but while it is more of an investment upfront, natural stone often increases property value due to the luxurious nature, longevity, and timeless appeal of the material. 

10. Variety

There are many different types of natural stone. Whether you prefer granite or marble, limestone or travertine, each type of stone brings with it a unique combination of aesthetics and functional benefits. Even within each sub-category of natural stone there is such a wide variety of shapes, patterns and styles that there is a perfect slab for everyone!

The Future of Stone in Australia is Natural

As Australia moves away from engineered stone for legitimate health-related reasons, natural stone continues to stand tall as a safe, beautiful, and enduring alternative. 

Natural stone has been a cornerstone (no pun intended) of construction and interior design since the ancient days of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome.

In 21st century Australia, natural stone continues to offer a sophisticated beauty and practical functionality throughout the home. 

If you’re wondering how you can incorporate the fantastic material that natural stone into your home, make sure to reach out to the premier suppliers of stone–Euro Marble!

Discover the Beauty and Benefits of Natural Stone

Embrace the timeless elegance and safety of natural stone in your home. Contact Euro Marble today!
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Kitchen Island Ideas And Inspiration

A modern kitchen with a large black and white marble island, grey cabinets, and pendant lights hanging above.

Exploring different kitchen island ideas and inspiration is a fun way to go about customising a highly functional and practical component of your kitchen.

With the right design, your kitchen island can make the most of even a compact space and also help you infuse a bit of personality and flair into this central room of the home.

Introducing the Kitchen Island

A kitchen island is basically a freestanding cabinet or countertop unit. It is most commonly positioned in the centre of a kitchen and serves as a multifunctional workspace and aesthetic focal point. 

Often, the kitchen island replaces the more traditional designs of a benchtop connected to the sink, stove and oven area.

Kitchen islands are highly versatile as customisation and careful design can provide extra counter space, storage, and even seating. Between that and their pure visual appeal, islands are highly desirable features in modern kitchens.

The Benefits of Kitchen Islands

When deciding between different kitchen island ideas, consider which (if not all) of the following benefits and uses of your island are important to you.

  • Providing extra space for food preparation 
  • Extra storage for cookware, utensils, and appliances
  • Providing a casual dining space with bar seating
  • A natural gathering spot for family and guests
  • Opportunity to incorporate appliances like sinks, cooktops, or dishwashers
  • Visual separation between cooking and living areas in open-concept homes

12 Kitchen Island Designs to Inspire You

1. Two-tone islands

A two-tone kitchen island allows you to mix and match the colours and materials you love for some genuinely arresting visual contrast.

Contrasting colours between the island base and the benchtop itself adds a dimension of depth and aesthetic enhancement. For example, a navy blue island base paired with a white marble countertop balances both a bold colour scheme without being too over the top.

2. Waterfall countertops

The waterfall kitchen island design includes the extending of the countertop material down the sides of the island for a sleek, modern look.

Apart from the aesthetic appeal, the waterfall countertop effectively ties together the interior design by making the island feel more connected in the way it naturally flows into the space around it.

3. Curved islands

Softening the kitchen’s angular lines with rounded or oval-shaped islands is not just visually appealing, there are functional benefits too.

Busy households with young children or countertops that see a hive of surrounding activity might benefit from the lack of sharp corners and edges.

4. Fluted details

Kitchen island designs featuring fluted edges are becoming more and more popular.

Fluted detailing adds texture and depth to island facades thanks to the intricate and appealing vertical grooves or ridges.

5. Integrated appliances

Seamless incorporation of anything from refrigerator drawers to wine coolers, or from dishwashers to rubbish bins can help reduce the feeling of clutter from the kitchen and make your food preparation convenient and accessible.

While this design is highly practical, there’s no reason why integrating your appliances into the kitchen island can’t look amazing as well!

6. Statement lighting

Sometimes your kitchen island design is not just about your kitchen island.

Using bold pendant lights or chandeliers that are placed directly above the island will effectively create a focal point and draw attention to your beautiful countertop.

7. Open shelving

Incorporating open shelves into the kitchen island can offer functional and fashionable utility.

It’s an easy way of storing and accessing the items you need but also provides the perfect space for displaying cookbooks or decorative items.

8. Mixing materials

While the aforementioned two-tone kitchen island can incorporate mixing materials as well as colours, it doesn’t necessarily do so.

Intentionally incorporating different textures like wood, stone, and metal opens the creative doors and allows the creation of a layered, sophisticated look.

9. Cantilevered countertops

Cantilevered countertops help to create an arresting floating effect with extended countertops for bar seating.

If you love entertaining family and friends and want a sophisticated yet casual area for your loved ones to gather around, a cantilevered countertop will do just the trick.

10. Multi-level islands

Multi-level islands are becoming increasingly popular.

Incorporating different heights allows for your island to be used for various functions. For example, a lower section may be great for food preparation and clean up, while a raised area with carefully chosen seating makes for a fantastic spot for dining.

11. Bold colours

Consider what sort of ambiance you want your kitchen to have. As a focal point of the space, the kitchen island should complement your chosen design aesthetic. 

One spectacular way of making a visual statement is by incorporating vibrant hues like emerald green, deep purple, or coral in your kitchen island.

12. Food preparation tools

There are many ways in which you can customise your kitchen island to assist with your food preparation.

One of the more popular options is butcher block inserts. Adding a built-in cutting board section to the countertop allows for convenient and cleaner food preparation.

Match the Perfect Stone with Your Kitchen Island Ideas

When designing your kitchen island, you need to consider your specific needs and the available space. But you also need to consider what will bring you joy and make your home a lively, enjoyable space to live in.

Discover the Perfect Stone for Your Kitchen Island

As the premier provider of natural stone, Euro Marble can help you find the ideal material for your kitchen island design. Contact us today!
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