Comparing the performance attributes of natural stone with manmade materials

Interior Design

Styles may change from season to season, but Mother Nature creates unique designs in natural stone that are historically innovative and always on trend. This is why natural stone remains a timeless and flexible option for many interior applications including countertops and flooring. The variety of natural stone available is also beautiful, durable, and versatile, offering endless possibilities for interiors.

Manmade materials often attempt to emulate or replicate these characteristics and qualities. It is essential to understand how natural stone compares to some of the manmade materials used for the same applications in order to select the most appropriate material. It is also important to know how the material chosen for an interior project will perform under a variety of circumstances, conditions, and uses. At the same time, knowing how the material impacts the environment will ensure that you are choosing the most sustainable material for the application.

Coastal Sand limestone. Photo courtesy of MSI.

Performance Matters

A material’s optimal performance is based on a combination of the attributes of the material itself, how the material is installed, and the conditions to which it is exposed. There are many different issues to consider for interior applications:

• How will the material react when it is exposed to heat and elevated temperatures? Some materials will scorch, while others may crack if they are heated too rapidly or unevenly.
• Can the material withstand exposure to chemicals without a visual change or performance degradation? Exposure to acids or alkali, quite common in kitchens, can potentially cause etching.
• How stain-resistant is the material? It is important that the material does not stain easily and that stains can be removed easily. Materials with lower absorption rates tend to be more stain-resistant. Using a sealer on more porous materials can lower their absorption rate, helping them to perform better and be more stain-resistant.
• Is the material slip-resistant? Slip-resistance is the level of traction needed for a walking surface to remain safe for those using it. The texture, porosity, surface treatments, and elements including water, dust, and a build-up of cleaning product residue can alter the slip resistance of the material. Slip resistance is impacted by the material’s texture and porosity, as well as any surface treatments used and elements it is exposed to

Performance attributes should be addressed no matter what material you are considering or what type of project you are working on. These factors play an even more important role in sustainability and in the long-term performance of the material. Let’s look at how natural stone compares to some manmade materials from the perspective of these performance objectives.

Saratoga soapstone. Photo courtesy of Stone Store.

Interior Applications for Natural Stone versus Manmade Materials

Countertops

The possibilities for countertops using natural stone are quite extensive. Granite, quartzite, marble, and soapstone are among the many options to consider for these hardworking elements in a kitchen or bath. Every natural stone slab connects directly to nature as a piece of Earth’s history. These stones are versatile, meaning they can be cut and finished into different shapes and patterns, and with various finishes, creating a cohesive aesthetic. There are typically more options for edging and surface textures available for natural stone than manmade surfaces. Because most stone is formed in nature through extreme heat and pressure, natural stone is inherently heat resistant. Granite and quartzite are also very durable and scratch resistant. Marble is particularly prized for its beautiful veining, although it may be susceptible to etching. Although soapstone can scratch easily, it can also be easily repaired. Some stones are porous which may cause the material to stain over time. Sealers are recommended for most applications.

In some cases, natural stone may cost more than manmade materials initially—but often, natural stone proves to be the most cost-effective choice due to its durability.  This is especially true because natural stone can also be refinished, repaired, restored, or recycled.  Stone also has a low embodied energy, an important consideration for sustainability requirements. This is because natural stone was created by the Earth and very little energy or additional resources are needed to quarry, fabricate, and finish it.

Manmade materials including engineered quartz, porcelain, sintered surface, acrylic/solid surface and cultured marble are also options for interior countertops.  These materials typically do not need to be sealed. The patterns and colors of manmade materials are usually consistent within the same dye lot. Acrylic/solid surfaces are repairable, but it is often expensive to do so. Most of these materials do not last as long as stone. Porcelain can be more expensive to purchase and is more expensive to fabricate than natural stone. It is also difficult to repair since the patterns are not full bodied. These materials are typically made in thinner formats which also reduces the edge selection options. This results in the edges not having the same texture and pattern as the surface. The synthetic components of engineered quartz can break down when exposed to UV light. Acrylic, engineered quartz, and cultured marble are not heat or UV resistant. Variation between batches of manufactured materials may cause installation or customer service issues.  Most of these materials also have a high embodied energy because they require a wide range of other materials and energy intensive processes to be manufactured.

Photo courtesy of Coldspring.

Flooring

Natural stones including granite, travertine, limestone, marble, and slate are good options for flooring.  Again, one of the main performance aspects of using natural stone in this manner is its incredible durability. Design options abound with more edge treatments, surface texture, and color than most manmade materials. Most textures are slip-resistant and most natural stones are also UV resistant. Natural stone also comes in a variety of thicknesses and is easy to care for once properly protected.  They will also maintain their color and patina nicely over time if maintained properly.  In some cases, natural stone will cost less than porcelain or concrete imitations.

There are a few other issues to consider. Polished finishes may require a topical treatment to increase the slip resistance. Marble, limestone, and travertine can etch when exposed to acidic substances. Stones that have higher absorption rates will need to be sealed. Once again, the low embodied energy of natural stone makes it a great option for meeting sustainability goals. As previously mentioned, natural stone’s long life cycle makes it a very cost-effective choice.

Porcelain, ceramic, concrete, and terrazzo and plastic-based materials such as laminate and vinyl are among the most popular manmade flooring materials. A few of the pros of using these materials include the durability of ceramic and porcelain. Additionally, ceramic, porcelain, and vinyl are easy to care for. There are usage ratings available for specific applications, which helps make it easier to select the right option for the use you are considering. Terrazzo is a creative material because of the custom options available in production. Laminates are generally inexpensive while porcelain is more expensive than ceramic and other popular flooring materials.

There are a number of cons to using these materials. Porcelain is a heavy and unforgiving material, so specialized equipment is needed to cut it. The density of porcelain often requires that sub-floors and supports are strong enough to withstand the extra weight. These issues can also add to the cost of installation.  Most manmade materials are only manufactured in thinner formats and the edges do not have the same texture or pattern as the surface. Their patterns and sizing are limited and they typically cannot be refinished. Porcelain and ceramic are susceptible to chipping and laminates and vinyl can be easily scratched or indented. Laminate and vinyl also require adhesives that off gas, and laminates are not moisture resistant.  There will be variances across color between batches or lots of the materials. Many of the petroleum-based materials contain chemicals that are toxic, including those marked as Red List chemicals. These products also have high embodied energy, which creates a negative impact on the environment.

Galaxy Grey granite. Photo courtesy of Artistic Tile.

Natural Stone and Sustainability

Natural stone has demonstrated considerable durability in local and regional environments and applications. In many cases, these have lasted for hundreds of years, even millennia. Most of the manmade materials have not been around long enough to demonstrate that level of performance. The qualities of longevity and durability have proven that natural stone is a great choice for also meeting green building goals. The initial material and installation costs are off-set by the long life expectancy and the low maintenance requirements. Little to no cleaning or chemicals are required to maintain the material and as mentioned, natural stone can also be refinished, repaired, restored, or recycled. Natural stone is 100% natural stone. Engineered quartz, concrete, and porcelain require many different materials including chemicals to be manufactured and many of them are not recyclable.

So, as Oscar Wilde once said: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” Choose natural stone and you will be contributing to the long legacy of great, high-performing, sustainable projects in the world.

Danby marble. Photo courtesy of Stoneshop.

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Botanic Green quartzite. Photo courtesy of Artistic Tile.

Rose Kallas and Christine Morgan, partners and principals of Chicago-based Two Girls and a Hammer LLC, have seen residential design trends come and go. While many classics, like marble, remain popular, the duo is noticing clients asking for more color. Natural stone is delivering.

“When people think of marble, what often comes to mind is white Carrara,” says Kallas. White Carrara is a beautiful natural stone that is popular in bathroom projects featured in magazines spreads and online. Some clients are stepping out of the box and choosing stone with more color and movement; Kallas has seen clients leaning towards bolder choices, such as black marble with white veining.

Photo courtesy of United Marble.

“For the past 10 years or so, white and grey have ruled bathrooms and kitchens and now clients are wanting more color in their homes,” Kallas says. She’s seeing more requests for jewel tones including sapphire blue, emerald green, and bright oranges and yellows for cabinets. With that comes the desire for more interesting countertops, backsplashes, and walls.

As a result, Kallas and Morgan admit they’re constantly on the hunt for beautiful natural stone to complement bathrooms with strong colors and features.

For a recent bathroom project featuring wallpaper with a bold design of varying hues of blue, white, grey, and black, they installed a blue vanity with a grey and white veined Carrara marble countertop and blue veined polished Carrara marble flooring. The natural stone doesn’t detract from the focal point of the wallpaper, but it does add to the overall elegant feel of the space.

Carrara marble. Photo courtesy of Two Girls and a Hammer.

Color doesn’t always have to be bright and bold to be striking. In another bathroom design featuring more white tones, the team and homeowner opted for natural Mother of Pearl hand cut tile for a feature wall and inside the shower niche, polished white and grey veined Carrara marble was installed for the shower walls and main floor. The shower base features small hexagon grey and white veined Carrara marble.

“The selection of Mother of Pearl was made because of the color variation: grey, white, hints of blue and light beige, which accent the colors of the Carrara [marble],” Kallas says. Since Mother of Pearl comes from the sea, the tiles have shine and reflection that make the shower stand out.

Carrara marble and Mother of Pearl tile. Photo courtesy of Two Girls and a Hammer.

Choosing natural stone for a bathroom

When clients come to Two Girls and a Hammer, they usually have a general idea of their design preferences or features they want to incorporate.

“For the blue bathroom, we selected the blue vanity before we chose the flooring material,” Kallas says. “Shortly after we selected the vanity, our supplier started stocking the blue veined Carrara marble. Once we saw the marble sample, the choice of the blue marble was the best fit for the bathroom project.”

Don’t assume that you can’t afford to include natural stone in your project. Kallas and Morgan recommend having a discussion with your designer or contractor: tell them what you love and see if they can source something that will work with your design and budget.

Maintenance shouldn’t be an afterthought when choosing a stone for your bathroom project. Your designer or contractor can make recommendations based on your lifestyle and cleaning preferences. Understanding your stone’s maintenance needs will help ensure that you love your bathroom project for years to come.

Trends in natural stone bathrooms

The biggest trend Kallas and Morgan are seeing is the use of colored marble in bathrooms. In addition to more colors being used, clients are choosing larger format tile on the shower wall or floor, which helps make the shower and floor space look larger. “Tight grout lines make your stone appear as if you have one large sheet of stone as well as easier to clean,” Kallas says.

Some clients who want less maintenance overall are opting for solid sheets of marble for their shower walls so they can avoid grout lines altogether. “Grout tends to hold dirt and appear darker over the years,” Kallas adds.

While more clients are asking for marble and quartzite in their bathrooms, granite still holds a fair share of the marketplace.

How to upgrade a bathroom without a complete overhaul

An easy way to update your space is by replacing your vanity top. Kallas offers this budget-friendly tip: “Many stone fabricators have what we call a ‘bone yard’ where you will find smaller pieces of stone from previous projects. If you are lucky, you will find a beautiful piece of remnant stone perfect for your project at a cost much lower than a regular retailer.”

There is no shortage of places to find inspiration for a bold bathroom design. Kallas recommends homeowners embrace and enjoy the process by going online and checking out design websites. She also recommends walking through big box stores and bath and kitchen showroom displays.

“I highly suggest, before starting a big renovation project, you assemble a mood board with your color palette,” Kallas says. “The paint stores offer color swatches that will make selecting the colors of walls much easier. Check out fixtures, layout ideas, review your selections months before your initial meeting. Keep adding and subtracting ideas until you finally settle on your ultimate wish list.”

By going through this process in advance, whether the project is small or large, you can present your mood board to your designer or contractor, which will help them better understand the scope of your project.

TAGS: design trends megy karydes inspire bathroom

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An earlier version of this article appeared in Building Stone Magazine.

Located at the crossroads of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevard, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is one of the tallest buildings in the city. The hotel, which boasts a Streamline Moderne design, is the brand’s first new build on the West Coast and its second hotel in California.

“The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is an urban oasis that combines modern luxury with timeless design. This building welcomes visitors to Beverly Hills in a completely new way,” said Pierre-Yves Rochon, founder and global design director at Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR) in Paris and Chicago. “The exterior design honors the Golden Age of Hollywood and the architectural history of Los Angeles. Its form is harmonious with its surroundings, but it is also very visible and striking. It reminds us of the 1930s curved buildings in Los Angeles. The Streamline Moderne design is sleek, clad in limestone, and transitions well to the interiors. The volumes, curved edges, and Art Deco-inspired furniture pieces continue to create the hotel’s identity.”

The exterior architecture design of the 207,641-square-foot property was led by PYR in collaboration with architectural firms Perkins and Will and Gensler. A collaborative effort from start to finish, the $200 million undertaking spared no expense, as evidenced by its impressive Portuguese limestone-clad exterior and the interior spaces dressed in marble, granite, travertine, and onyx.

“The interior design challenge at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills was to create a world-class design unlike any other hotel in L.A.,” Rochon said. “It needed to appeal to both international travelers and locals. We created this environment by celebrating large volumes, elegance, and artisanship, which can be appreciated by all. It also has a uniquely Southern California feel—it is light, open, airy, and has an effortless and comfortable style. It has ‘Old Hollywood’ glamour.”

“The sense of cinematic glamour begins with the dramatic arrival to the porte-cochère with a sweeping bronze canopy,” the designer explained. “Guests are welcomed through bronze doors adorned with Lalique crystal pulls. A soaring entry lobby is framed by two tall bronze zodiac screens and anchored by a monumental bronze chandelier. Intimate adjacent alcoves allow for a private check-in and concierge experience, while a floor-to-ceiling glossy onyx fireplace warms the lounge just beyond. The sophistication of the public areas is enhanced by the refined quality of craftsmanship in the FF&E [furniture, fixtures and equipment] program, including a carefully curated collection of art works, Lalique gold leaf backed crystal panels, hand-selected Italian marbles and custom furnishings from around the world.”

Natural Stone Adds Glamour and Intrigue

Photo courtesy of PICCO Engineering.

One of the most striking features of the hotel can be seen in the two-story lobby, where a 17-foot   onyx fireplace sets the perfect backdrop for a massive, custom-designed bronze and crystal chandelier. Across the lobby in the main waiting area a trio of marbles was used to create a clean, contemporary floor design. A base of Calacatta Oro marble is accented by thin bronze inserts, creating a repetitive rectangular design throughout the space. The Calacatta Oro marble frames an inner design composed of Crema Marfil and Amarelo Negrais marble, which are bordered by thin strips of Absolute Black granite.

The hotel provides an intimate hospitality experience, with only 18 rooms on each floor—119 deluxe rooms and 51 suites. “The atmosphere is exciting, vibrant, and full of life. We created a quiet backdrop of creams and beiges accented by cool celadons and golden caramels, and sleek black lacquer finishes. This palette also continues into the standard guestrooms, which creates a cohesive guest experience,” Rochon said.

The guestrooms celebrate a classic California style, with floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto oversized private balconies. Each type of room promotes a different color scheme, from the standard rooms to the presidential suite. The king-sized rooms embrace a blue theme, with patterned rugs and complementary accents, while the queen-sized rooms take on a gold theme. Suites are distinguished by chocolate brown and cream outfitting. All bathrooms are clad in marble, waterjet-cut into geometric patterns for the floors and walls. 12×24 inch pieces of Bianco Dolomiti marble were installed on the walls of the bathrooms and showers, separated by 1 1/2 inch vertical bands of Amarelo Negrais marble. The floors in the king- and queen-sized rooms feature an intricate stone medallion, with intermixed squares of Bianco Dolomiti and Crema Marfil marble, framed by 1 1/2 inch strips of Amarelo Negrais marble. In the suites, Bianco Dolomiti, Crema Marfil, and Amarelo Negrais are used to create a unique flower-like pattern on the floor. Crema Marfil was used for the tub surrounds to provide a cohesive look.

In the villas, Calacatta Oro marble was used on the floors. These rooms were designed using hints of celadon, a pale shade of green, with white and cream accents. The bathrooms, which combine all color shades through the use of stone and tile, also feature geometric-inspired floor medallions. The walls share the same stone design as the queen- and king-sized rooms, with 12- x 24 inch pieces of Calacatta Oro in place of Bianco Dolomiti marble, while the floors showcase triangular and circular pieces of waterjet-cut Noir St. Laurent and Crema Marfil marble that is framed by the 1 1/2 inch bands of Amarelo Negrais marble. In the shower, Calcacatta Oro was used for the shower bench and Crema Marfil graces the floors, along with square pieces of Noir St. Laurent marble framed by strips of Amarelo Negrais marble.

The 3,215-square-foot presidential suite, which includes a 1,459-square-foot terrace, combines shades of gold and cream with Noir St. Laurent marble floors to create something regal and one-of-a-kind. The Noir St. Laurent is featured throughout the entire suite’s floors and was carried into the bathroom, where it was used alongside thin bands of Amarelo Negrais marble to create a rectangular-inspired design. Large-format pieces of the same white onyx used for the lobby fireplace were also applied on these walls and the tub surround for an upscale look and feel. The presidential suite’s bathroom features floor to ceiling windows that offer dramatic views of the Hollywood Hills.

​

An Intricate Installation

A talented team of professionals was enlisted to fabricate and install the hotel’s intricate stone bathroom features. The polished 1 1/2 inch bands of Amarelo Negrais marble required a keen eye to ensure design perfection.

“This detail created a 180-degree continuum that wrapped the bathroom in a warm yellow hue,” said Solomon Aryeh, owner of SMG Stone Company, Inc. “This intricate detail that was achieved in the fabrication process was an important design element that lent the bathroom an elevated experience. Every one of the wall bands was installed to line up with one another horizontally and vertically, with some walls containing up to seven bands that faded into the door surround. This included bands lining up directly with the soap niche and a horizontal line detail on the light fixtures.”

Because of the client’s high standards, Aryeh and his team had to maintain tight tolerances to ensure design accuracy. “To achieve the lining up of the joints in the bathroom, the framing of the room had to be exact with tolerances no more than 1/8 inch,” he explained. “Our task was to work hand-in-hand with the framer to maintain the design integrity requiring walls to be plumb and installed in perfect square. Stone tiles were installed in a thinset system that required the mortar bed to be no more than 3/16 inch thick, as there was no room to build up the tiles or room for adjustments. A thicker mortar bed would off-set the joints from one end of the bathroom to the other, completely compromising the design.”

With several mock-ups completed during the design process and hundreds of dry lays assembled onsite prior to the install, the designers and installers successfully worked together for about four years to construct the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.

Since its completion, the hotel has received numerous national and international accolades, including a Natural Stone Institute Pinnacle Award in the Commericial Interior category.

“The reaction has been very positive from the owner, Hilton, and the City of Beverly Hills,” Rochon said. “The building has greatly elevated the character of the site. It complements its adjacent sister hotel, the Beverly Hilton.  It is true to the city’s heritage of Hollywood glamour.”

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All photos courtesy of Maple & White Design.

Bathrooms and kitchens are the top two remodeling projects for homeowners—and for good reason. Not only do people love a beautiful bathroom, according to online realty marketing and information company Trulia, “The rooms buyers most closely inspect (and judge) in a house are the kitchen and master bath. These are the interior spaces where the most value can be added during a sale, so they need to look their best.”

While home trends change annually, they’re also a good barometer of what consumers are looking for today. Classics like marble rarely go out of style and often bring a level of luxury few other materials can achieve.

“Marble is often requested in bathrooms, especially master bathrooms and powder rooms,” says Becky Asleson, principal of Maple & White Design, a Midwest-based, full-service design firm specializing in residential new construction and remodels. “Marble is a beautiful stone and is available in a wide variety of colors with different amounts of movement.”

Anna Gibson, AKBD, owner and chief designer of AKG Design Studio, agrees that white marbles such as Carrara, Calacatta Gold and Super White dolomitic marble are particularly popular in bathrooms right now, but she’s also seeing color. Gibson provides curated kitchen and bathroom design services to clients in the DC metro area, from design concept to implementation, so she often sees the gamut. “People are looking for color and Ming green marble is gaining popularity,” says Gibson. “Black surfaces are also gaining popularity as we are still deep into the mid-century modern vibe.”

Here are five things to consider when using marble in a bathroom.

What should I ask before using marble?

There are a few questions that Asleson likes to ask her clients before they even start a project since the answers will help direct her design and recommendations.

• Do I like the warmth natural materials provide in my home?
• Am I comfortable with variation in the tile or countertop, or do I prefer a consistent look?
• Am I willing to seal the natural stone occasionally?

Asleson encourages clients to think about how long they plan to live in the space and to consider making timeless selections. “Trends come and go, but marble has been used in architecture for hundreds of years,” she notes.

How can marble make my bathroom look unique?

“The patina of marble provides a warm and soft aesthetic that many homeowners desire,” says Asleson. “No two slabs are the same, giving each room a custom, unique look. Marble is also a stone that ages well, making the investment worthwhile. Clients who want a special bathroom can certainly achieve it by incorporating marble into the design.”

She also mentions that due to it being made by Mother Nature, marble is available in a large variety of options and price points. “It ages well and the patina it develops provides a lovely soft and warm look for a bathroom,” she adds.

Will marble be strong enough to handle my family?

Gibson understands why homeowners ask this question, especially if they’re nervous about incorporating  marble into their overall design.

“I always tell my clients that marbles are a living stone. It will change and maybe even stain but this is the beauty of the stone. If we look back on most of the historical building in the world, they are built from stone and it’s still there hundreds of years later,” she adds. “If stone survived the elements, it will survive your family.”

For those concerned about keeping their natural stone performing well, Buddy Ontra, owner of Ontra Stone in Bridgeport, Connecticut, reminds homeowners that various hygiene products, such as perfumes, hair products, dental products, and more, may contain acids or bases that could damage the stone. Being mindful of where those items are kept in a bathroom can help keep marble from staining or etching.

Won’t marble get slippery when wet?

When in a wet environment like a bathroom, Gibson says those needs do need to be taken care of.  She usually recommends honed stone on the floor, and in showers she uses small tile or mosaic to create natural traction with the grout lines. “The stone will need to be sealed properly, so there is a little added maintenance in a wet space,” she says.

Whenever Asleson senses concerns from clients who shy away from marble because of perceived maintenance difficulties, especially as it relates to the materials getting wet in a bathroom, she simply reminds them of ways they can care for their stone. “As long as a client is educated on how to clean and care for their natural stone, there should be no hesitation in using it in bathrooms,” she notes.

What are some creative ways I can use marble in a bathroom?

The most impactful way Asleson has used marble in a master bathroom is the vanity backsplash from wall to wall, countertop to ceiling. “I recently selected a marble waterjet mosaic, which created a subtle pattern above the vanity and served as a stunning focal point in the space,” she shares.

Gibson loves using marble on all surfaces from counters to walls to seats. She’s even seen tubs made out of the material. Which goes to show, natural stone can not only be a showpiece in and of itself, it’s a versatile material in a bathroom.

TAGS:  marble countertop bathroom inspire megy karydes 

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