Natural Stone Institute.
Recent Articles
Natural Thin Stone Veneer Patterns Explained
If you have researched natural thin stone veneer or spent any time on the internet seeking inspiration, you already know one thing: there are more options to personalize your space than you imagined! With the right planning and approach, the range of choices is beneficial because each pattern has different characteristics
How Hana Ishikawa Builds Solid History with Genuine Natural Stone
One of the biggest reasons design principal Hana Ishikawa uses natural stone in her projects is because of its durability. “Natural stone has been around for millennia, and it’s much more durable than concrete,” she says. “It’s much more durable than porcelain. It’s more durable than most materials that we work with.”
How a Common Local Stone Helped Create Jobs and Inspire Design in Rwanda
In Rwanda’s Burera District, the volcanic rock pumice was undervalued and unappreciated. The mundane natural stone proved itself to be a change agent in this landlocked African country.
Granite Creates a Serene Space at the Spring Creek Nature Area
Today and for years to come, residents and visitors of Richardson, Texas, will be able to leave the chaos of the world behind and enjoy some calm and serenity as they pass through Sylvan Portals at Spring Creek Nature Area.
2022 Natural Stone Trends
A new year brings new trends, and we are really excited about what we’ve seen so far in 2022! Regardless of your style, natural stone is a perfect complement to your design. This timeless material transcends design trends and will keep your home looking beautiful for years to come.
How Marble Added Dignity and Honored Philanthropy at Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
In 2019, a 60,000-square-foot expansion of the renowned John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was completed. A 1,200-square-foot wall of Bianco Carrara marble was created in the lobby of the new Welcome Pavilion: known as the “Gratitude Wall,” it was engraved with names of each donor.
Manufacturing Impacts: Natural Stone vs. Precast Concrete
From an overall sustainability perspective, natural stone has a lower environmental footprint than precast concrete. This is due to the minimal resources used to quarry, fabricate, finish, and transport natural stone.
Stone Consultant Helps Bring Presidential Memorial to Life
Knowing what to look for when sourcing natural stone is one of the reasons Enzo Giambattista, a natural stone consultant with Enmar Consulting in Ontario, Canada, was called upon to collaborate at the early design phase with Gehry Partners on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial project in Washington, D.C.
Manufacturing Impacts: Natural Stone vs. Sintered Surface
Sintered surface is sometimes marketed as sustainable because it contains natural materials. But as you will see from the manufacturing process described below, the use of an energy intensive manufacturing process gives sintered surface a much larger environmental footprint than natural stone.
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Popular Articles
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Natural Stone Surfaces
While it’s true that natural stone is extremely durable and made to last, it is not indestructible. There is a chemistry to natural stone, and making mistakes can harm it. Protect your investment by avoiding these five common practices.
Kitchen Countertop Comparison Charts
Compare and contrast features of the countertop surfaces available in today’s market. With so many possibilities to choose from, it’s hard to know which options you should consider. Think about your budget, your design taste and how your family will use your kitchen before making your decision.
A Definitive Guide to Quartzite
Quartzite may be the most confusing natural stone out there. A quick internet search will reveal an unsettling disparity of information. Some people say it etches. Some say it doesn’t. Sometimes you hear it’s a hybrid between marble and granite.
How to Care For Your Granite Countertops
Granite has long been a favorite choice for countertops due to its beauty and ease of maintenance. Granite is a durable material, but like all surfaces, it does require regular maintenance. We sat down with several stone care experts to learn how best to care for granite countertops.
Is Quartz Natural Stone?
Sift through the confusion about man-made quartz surfaces. Our geologist analyzed samples from several different quartz manufacturers. Sort fact from fiction using real scientific data to prove performance statistics.
Caring For Quartzite Countertops
Quartzite has been gaining in popularity as a countertop material in the past few years. With a look similar to marble and a durability comparable to granite, this natural stone seems to have it all.