When it comes to selecting natural stone for your home or project, quality and reliability are paramount. Granite stands out as a timeless choice, offering durability, elegance, and versatility. In Melbourne, one name consistently rises to the top for those seeking premium granite - Gladstones Granite. I want to share my insights on why Gladstones Granite is a trusted source and how their products can elevate your space. Why Choose Quality Granite in Clayton South? Granite is

Short answer: If it's natural stone, it's likely repairable. Small stains or chips? Often fixable. Cracked or shattered? Probably needs replacing. Here’s what to do before you panic (and before calling your insurance). If It’s Stained Try the basics first — stains can  be cleaned or drawn out. ✅ Clean thoroughly. Use warm water and a pH-neutral stone cleaner (no bleach or vinegar). Rinse and dry well — you’d be surprised how much this alone helps. ✅ Check your sealing. Do th

Short answer: Onyx is a dramatic, translucent luxury stone, prized for backlighting and feature moments — but it's brittle and high-maintenance . Travertine is warm, rustic, Mediterranean and textured — but soft, porous, and also high-maintenance . Choose Onyx  for artistic statement features, not daily wear. Choose Travertine  for earthy charm in low-use areas — if you like natural patina. Quick side-by-side Factor Onyx Travertine Look High-drama veining, translucent, luxury

Short answer: Limestone and travertine are both warm, natural, calcium-based stones with soft, earthy tones — but Limestone is generally better for kitchen use while Travertine is of a delicate feature Quick side-by-side Factor Limestone Travertine Look Calm, soft, natural tones; smooth surface Warm, rustic, earthy tones Hardness (scratch/chip) Soft; can scratch & chip Softer; scratches & chips even more easily Stain resistance Porous; needs sealing & fast clean-ups Very por

Short answer: Limestone and Onyx are both stunning natural stones, but limestone is more suited for kitchen use. Limestone is soft, warm, and earthy — beautiful but requires gentle care and develops patina. Onyx is a dramatic, translucent “feature stone” — brittle, porous, and best used decoratively, not as a prep surface. Choose Limestone  if you love natural warmth and are happy with gentle care.Choose Onyx  for show-stopping accents and backlighting — not daily cooking. Qu

Short answer: Dolomite = soft, elegant natural stone with reasonable  durability for real kitchens — if you seal and care for it. Travertine = beautiful, rustic, Mediterranean charm — but softer, more porous, and much higher maintenance. Choose Dolomite  if you want a light natural stone look with manageable upkeep. Choose Travertine  if you love old-world warmth and patina — and don’t need high durability. Quick side-by-side Factor Dolomite Travertine Look Variety of colours

Short answer: Dolomite is a soft, natural stone that sits between marble and quartzite in toughness — gentle care needed, but suitable for real kitchens when sealed and maintained. Onyx is a brittle, highly porous, crystalline stone used for dramatic, luxury feature applications — not a practical kitchen work surface unless barely used. Choose Dolomite  if you want a light, natural stone look and don’t mind moderate upkeep. Choose Onyx  for statement bars, splashbacks, or bac

Short answer: Dolomite and limestone both offer soft, elegant natural stone looks — but Dolomite is generally harder and a bit more resilient day-to-day. Limestone is softer, a little more porous, and patinas faster. Choose Dolomite  if you want a light, natural stone aesthetic with slightly better durability. Choose Limestone  if you love a lived-in, organic warmth and don’t mind regular sealing, gentle cleaning, and visible patina over time. Quick side-by-side Factor Dolomi

Short answer: Quartzite is strong, low-maintenance, real-kitchen stone while travertine is murch softer, porous, and high-maintenance. Choose quartzite for durability and daily use. Choose travertine for a warm, old-world look — if you don't mind patina and upkeep. Quick side-by-side Factor Quartzite Travertine Look Bold veining, often marble-like; luxe, dramatic Soft, warm beige/cream tones; natural pits; rustic earthy look Hardness (scratch/chip) Very hard; excellent wear r

Short answer: Quartzite is the practical luxury option — hard, durable, resistant to scratches, stains and acids when sealed. Onyx is pure statement stone — translucent, exotic, dramatic, but soft, brittle, porous and high-maintenance.. If you want bold, natural stone beauty that can actually survive a busy kitchen, choose Quartzite . If your priority is a glamorous, backlit feature with minimal food-prep use, Onyx  creates a show-stopping look — just be ready to treat it lik

Short answer:  A small kitchen might not  need a full 3.0 × 2.0 m so you can either use a slab on clearance , an offcut from a natural stone stonemason, or consider doing other small areas to use the rest of a slab. What slab formats exist? A typical slab is 3.0 × 2.0 m = 6 square meters. Marble, limestone, and Travertine can tend to be a bit smaller (approx. 5 sqm) as they are a softer material. Offcuts come in a range of different sizes. Clearance slabs are usually approxi

If you’re renovating or building in Australia and dreaming of a show-stopping kitchen, start with the stone. Everything else should follow it. Short answer:  Natural stone varies a lot—between blocks, batches and even slabs. If you choose cabinetry, paint and tiles first, you’ll likely rework them later. Start with the actual slabs  you’ll buy, then build your palette around them. Why stone comes first Complexity:  Natural stone = complex undertones and movement. Man-made = u

Choosing Between Quartzite and Dolomite: A Homeowner's Guide Short answer: Quartzite is harder and generally more scratch- and wear-resistant. It also has stronger stain and etch performance when sealed. Dolomite offers a lovely aesthetic at a lower slab price than many quartzites. However, it’s softer and calcium-based, so it requires gentler use, diligent sealing, and prompt wipe-ups. If you want bold veining with serious day-to-day toughness, choose Quartzite . If you l

Short answer:   Quartzite  is much harder and generally more stain/etch-resistant (when sealed), making it a tougher day-to-day kitchen...

Short answer: Quartzite  = harder, more scratch-resistant, typically better day-to-day durability. Marble  = timeless luxury, unmatched...

Quick take:  A typical mid-size Melbourne kitchen (island + back bench + splashback) usually needs ~3 slabs . Based on current showroom...

When renovating a home or embarking on a new build, the choice of materials is pivotal. Natural stone stands out due to its beauty and...

When selecting a bench top material, granite  and travertine  both offer unique natural beauty but cater to different needs and styles....

When choosing a benchtop material, granite  and marble  are two of the most iconic natural stone options. Both bring luxury and beauty to...

Selecting the perfect benchtop material can be overwhelming, especially with so many natural stone options to choose from. Two materials...