Advice centre
Finding Your Style: Calacatta vs. Carrara
While marble comes in a spectacular array of tones, two classic Italian varieties remain highly popular for luxury kitchen designs: 1. Carrara Marble Hailing from the mountains of Tuscany, Carrara marble features a softer, more muted appearance. It typically showcases a crisp white-to-light-grey background tightly woven with delicate, feathery grey veining. It is an excellent option for creating a subtle, classic look that blends seamlessly with both modern handleless cabinets and traditional Shaker kitchens. 2. Calacatta Marble For those who want a dramatic, high-contrast look, Calacatta marble is unmatched. It is rarer than Carrara, characterized by a pure, stark white backdrop interrupted by thick, bold, and expressive veining. Calacatta often incorporates beautiful undertones of deep charcoal and subtle gold, making it the perfect choice for a luxury…
Why Marble Remains the Ultimate Luxury Choice for London Kitchens
When it comes to designing a statement kitchen, few materials carry the timeless prestige of natural marble. Celebrated for centuries in fine architecture, it remains a highly sought-after material for homeowners looking to inject effortless luxury, brightness, and unique character into their property. If you are currently planning a kitchen renovation, here is a complete guide to why marble remains the ultimate premium choice, and how to choose the right variety for your home Unlike manufactured surfaces, every single slab of natural marble is completely unique. Created by nature over millions of years, no two kitchen worktops will ever feature the exact same patterns or formations. • Bespoke Natural Art: The intricate veining—ranging from delicate, smoky lines to bold, dramatic sweeps—creates a striking visual focal point that anchors the entire room. • Luminous, Bright Interiors: Marble possesses a natural…
Silestone vs. Caesarstone
Choosing a quartz worktop in London can be overwhelming. You’ll see names like Silestone, Caesarstone, CRL, Cimstone and others on our Quartz Brands page, but which one actually belongs in your kitchen? As specialist stonemasons with our own in-house London factory, we’ve cut and installed thousands of these slabs. Here is the "insider’s view" on how these brands compare in terms of price, performance, and style. *1. The Luxury Leader: Silestone If you want the "iPhone" of worktops, it’s Silestone. The Edge: Their HybriQ+ technology is a game-changer. It’s more sustainable and features a built-in hygiene protection that prevents bacteria growth. Visuals: Their "Eternal" collection offers the most realistic marble veining in the industry. Best For: Premium renovations where sustainability and hygiene are top priorities. 2. The Modern Icon: Caesarstone Caesarstone is the choice for architects and interior designers. The Edge: They pioneered the "Industrial"…
Beyond Gloss: Why Textured ‘Leathered’ Stone is the 2026 Trend for London Kitchens
For years, the high-gloss, polished look dominated London renovations. But as we move into 2026, a new tactile trend is taking over: Textured and Leathered finishes. At MT Stones, we’re seeing a massive shift toward surfaces that feel as good as they look. If you want a kitchen that stands out from the standard "cookie-cutter" quartz, this is for you. What is a ‘Leathered’ Finish? Unlike polished stone, which is ground until reflective, a leathered finish is created by brushing the stone with diamond-tipped brushes. This results in a sophisticated, matte…
From Template to Tea: What Happens During Your 7-Day Installation?
The biggest fear homeowners have when upgrading worktops isn't the cost—it's the downtime. "How long will I be without a sink?" "Will there be dust everywhere?" At MT…
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN QUARTZ COUNTERTOP BRANDS?
When looking for quartz countertops, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the different choices and names of quartz. There are many different brands of quartz countertops on the market. Caesarstone, Silestone, Compac, CRL, Classic quartz, and many others more. Unlike granite countertops, quartz countertop slabs have a brand name rather than just a…
Quartz Countertops Costs
Mtstones
Countertop materials vary from various stones including quartz, granite and marble. A worktop in quartz for kitchens or bathrooms possesses the combination of being aesthetically striking and beautiful as well as stain-resistant, low maintenance and highly durable. Quartz is often referred to as “engineered stone” this is because the manufacturing process mixes approximately 95% ground natural quartz with about 5% polymer resins. The combination of strong natural quartz gives quartz countertops great durability while the resins help to make the product non-porous (unlike natural stones). There are a…
Drainer grooves
DRAINER GROOVES ARE IDEAL FOR USING WITH BELFAST/UNDER-MOUNTED SINKS. It is a practical solution to keeping your work surface dry and clean.The typical drainer groove length is between 300 mm and 350 mm, but we can make it shorter or longer if required. Can be positioned right, left or both sides of the sink.
JOINTS ON QUARTZ AND GRANITE WORKTOPS
ABOUT THE JOINTS ON QUARTZ AND GRANITE WORKTOPS - JOINTS ON QUARTZ AND GRANITE WORKTOPS Friday 25th May 2018 The typical maximum length for a single piece…
Upstands
Upstands intended to sit at the rear of your kitchen worktops to hide the gap between them and an adjacent wall. The gap is necessary to allow expansion of the kitchen worktop, though upstands can also help to accommodate an uneven gap if your walls are not totally straight. Upstands thickness are 20mm even if the worktops is in 30 mm thickness, and they be in 70 mm high, 100mm or full high splashbacks. Splashbacks are similar to upstands, but are much deeper, and are usually used behind ovens or sinks to protect the walls from splashing water or stains.
EDGE PROFILES FOR QUARTZ AND GRANITE WORKTOPS
Square edges Some people ask for very square edges. Fully square is impossible, and also uncomfortable on whatever part of your body you happen to lean on it. Also it is more fragile and in risk to damage if anything is dropped on the edge. But we can make an edge with a very minimal bevel. Bevel edge Bevel edge (3-5mm) is one of the best ways to reduce the chance of the quartz or granite worktop edge chipping. Straight bevelled edge The straight edge is the simplest of all, as it has the same thickness as the worktop but with a straight finish. Bullnose A totally rounded finish that creates a sensation of complete continuity in the kitchen, while maintaining the same worktops thickness Dove chest A traditional edge formed by a finish with very elegant curves. Mitred The perfect solution, to which a side piece is added to add robustness to the kitchen or bathroom worktop Demi-bullnose An edge with the same worktop thickness that softens the kitchen or bathroom worktop with a curved finish
About the joints on Quartz and Granite worktops
Joints on Quartz and Granite worktops The typical maximum length for a single piece is 3000mm at which point it will be necessary for a joint. Joints are generally two pieces of worktops butted up against each other and generally less than 30 mm wide. For a perfect look the joins should be inconspicuous as possible. On template you should discuss…
YOUR GRANITE WORKTOP WILL LAST A LIFETIME WITH A PROPER CARE & MAINTENANCE !!
The appearance of granite is not uniform because stones are coming right out of the earth and are not perfectly designed by nature. For that reason, granite samples can slightly differ from the stone you're ordering. Granite is extremely durable but because it's a natural stone can break or chip if subjected to heavy abuse. With a proper maintenance granite worktops can last for a lifetime and beyond. Granite needs to be sealed on a regular basis. GRANITE CARE & MAINTENANCE Granite worktops are durable, resistant to scratches, stains and heat resistant when regularly and properly maintained. Granite does require minimal care, including removing stains, sealing and daily cleans: Daily Care: Use a microfiber cloth and water to wipe clean your surface. Abrasive products or generic chemicals to clean your worktops are not recommended. You should prefer cleaning products specially designed for natural stone and avoid using highly acidic or cleaning products containing bleach. Always wipe spills immediately. Clean regularly by wiping them clean after each use. The best products…
YOUR QUARTZ WORKTOP WILL LAST A LIFETIME WITH A PROPER CARE & MAINTENANCE
QUARTZ WORKTOP - CARE & MAINTENANCE: Quartz is virtually maintenance free and can be cleaned with extreme ease. Common household spills - such as, tea, coffee, lemon juice, soda, fruit, vegetable juice, olive oil or grease spills - are easily removed and the surface can be restored to its original appearance. Quartz is one of the hardest materials in nature, which is an assurance that your quartz surface will not easily scratch or chip. The use of…
Quartz vs. Granite: Which Stone Offers the Best ROI for London Homeowners?
Here are some points to help you decide if you should get Granite or Quartz for your kitchen worktop. When renovating a kitchen in London or the Home Counties, your choice of worktop is more than a design preference—it’s a financial decision. With the…
Worktop thickness - 20mm or 30mm thickness Quartz Worktops?
mtstones
20mm or 30mm thickness Quartz Worktops? >Granite worktops are generally 30mm thick. >Quartz worktops are generally fitted in 30mm or 20mm thickness. Some manufacturers make 13mm thickness. >While 30mm worktops looks very aesthetically pleasing and stronger, 20 mm thick look chunkier. >Over recent years, 20mm thick worktops have become increasingly popular benefiting from the saving on cost compared to 30 mm thickness. Contemporary kitchens tend to adapt to a slim, stripped-down look. >In terms of costs, there is a difference in price between 20 mm and 30 mm thickness worktops. 20 mm is less expensive. >But not always 30 mm worktops are recommended: For kitchens with breakfast bar or island with overhangs is recommended 30mm for structural security. >With 20mm worktops we recommend sticking to low-profile edges.