Mastering Your Stone Selection with WOMAG

Welcome to the ultimate guide in your quest for the perfect surface solutions! Delve into this comprehensive FAQ by WOMAG on marble, granite, porcelain, quartz, tiles, slabs, and countertops. Find the answers you seek and unravel the intricacies of these materials, empowering you to make informed decisions for your spaces.

Which is the best surface for kitchen counters?

We recommend granite, quartzite or Phoenix Stone, a quartz based surface, for your kitchen. These materials are highly durable and resistant to staining and scratching. You can even cut directly on the surface – just beware your knives may blunt!

Due to its characteristics, we do not recommend marble in a kitchen that is actively used.

What is the difference between marble and granite?

Marble and granite are both natural stones, quarried from the earth. The biggest differences are:

Porosity: Marble is more porous than granite.
Stone hardness: Granite is harder than marble, meaning you can cut directly on granite and it won’t scratch.
Reaction to acids: A marble surface may etch when in contact with acids, whereas granite will be left unaffected.
Colours: Marble is generally available in a wider range of colours, with more veining

Can I choose the exact colour of my tiles or slabs?

Natural Stone: WOMAG displays represent the tiles and slabs as best as possible. With natural stone, shades and veining may differ so it is vital that a dry lay is done for tiles. If you are worried your slab will vary to the one on display, contact WOMAG for a viewing.

Porcelain Tiles: Your porcelain tiles should all be in the same shade range, given that they are all from the same batch. Porcelain tiles are made in extremely high temperatures, which may cause variances in the final product of each batch, but WOMAG will always make sure that your tiles are taken from one batch.

Phoenix Stone: Quartz based surfaces are manmade, which means the shade may vary between batches. WOMAG displays are the best possible representation. They will never install materials from different batches.

Can granite countertops be damaged (chop, crack, scratch, stain, burn)?

Ordinary use will not overstress granite and cause cracks, burns or scratches due to its durability. You can set hot pots and pans directly from the oven or stove onto your granite top, just remember that the stone will stay hot for a while.

All stones are porous to some extent, but porosity in granite is very minimal, which means that staining is highly unlikely. However, we recommend that granite is sealed, and that spills are cleaned up timeously.

Granite is a material that will not be affected by normal, everyday use. This is mainly why granite is so highly recommended: it is not only a beautiful stone, available in large variety of colours and patterns, but it should withstand anything short of wilful destruction and high impact blows.

Can I cut on my granite countertop?

If you wish to do so, yes! Granite is harder than your kitchen knife blades, so while your countertop will not be ruined, we can’t say the same for your knives, so we recommend using a cutting board.

Will my kitchen countertop have seams or joints?

Occasionally seams or joints are unavoidable and necessary due to the size of the chosen slab. WOMAG will always discuss joints with you to put them in the best place.

What can I do to keep my granite in its best shape?

Granite is a low maintenance stone, so as long as it is sealed you can keep up regular wiping down and cleaning of spills.

Is granite expensive?

Prices of granite vary, but WOMAG has a stone for every pocket! Remember when buying granite you are investing in an almost indestructible, unique, beautiful surface which is likely to last you forever.

What can I do to keep my marble in its best shape?

The most important thing to do is seal your marble and tend to spills immediately. Only use pH neutral cleaners – contact WOMAG to find out more about their Stone Wash. Avoid letting acidic liquids or foods onto the surface. Marble will give you years of elegance, class and style if you take care of it.

What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles?

Porcelain is less porous than ceramic. It is baked at much higher temperatures which makes the tile harder and more durable than ceramic.

What are the main differences between all the natural stones?

Granite is an extraordinarily hard, durable, resistant, natural stone, available in an array of colours and patterns. This natural stone is ideal for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, flooring and wall cladding.

Marble is a softer, slightly more porous material which can be used for bathroom vanities, flooring and wall cladding. Available in a wide array of veining or solid colours, ensuring slabs to be unique. Some marbles are translucent.

Travertine is a stone with similar characteristics to marble but in more earthy colours.

Onyx is a translucent stone with similar characteristics as marble. It is mainly used as a feature piece.

Visit WOMAG to discover more and find out about the detailed differences between all the natural stones.