CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF STONE FOR MARBLE AND GRANITE PT 2

Although marble is like granite in some ways, it is very different in others. For example, marble is made up of different minerals than its 'harder cousin' and, as a softer stone with sensitivity to acids, it is susceptible to further deterioration.

Etching is perhaps the most common problem other than staining when it comes to marble. That means your marble must be protected against staining and etching.

An etching is a different subject than a stain.

A marble etching is a reaction to a specific mineral in the stone. This reaction is caused by acidic substances that are very common in household liquids and even in food. Because this is a reaction that occurs when acid comes into contact with the stone, the longer the substance remains, the more damage it will do.

An etch remover is good to have on hand due to the time-sensitivity associated with cleaning up after an acid spill etches the marble surface. Regular maintenance of your marble will also make it more resistant to etching, although it will not make any stone resistant to etching.

Because of what we've discussed regarding the porosity of both marble and granite, you'll need to take steps to maintain a protective barrier so your stone isn't as susceptible to staining (granite and marble) or etching (marble).

Professional resealing for countertops

When granite and marble slabs are cut from the ground, they are in their most vulnerable state: unsealed. Once your slab is installed, it should be initially sealed to protect it from the things we've been discussing. However, to maintain the seal, it is recommended to reseal your granite or marble once a year, as the sealer wears off over time.

The importance of having adequate equipment to cut dekton and porcelain

Dekton, among other alternative stone materials, continues to grow in popularity for applications such as countertops, flooring, and both interior and exterior wall cladding. Being a hard dense product, it is crucial to use appropriate tooling during the fabrication process. Carlos Sustaita, production director for STA Granite, provides several important tips of advice for those working with compact sintered stone.

Why do products such as Dekton need special/different tools than those that are used for cutting granite and marble?

Material hardness is the key to understanding why you need different tools to fabricate Dekton. The material has a

very high density (ultra-compact), which means that if you don’t use proper tools, you can either break the tool or the material or even worse, damage the machinery.

The cutting process requires trimming the edges to release tensions. Then you have to follow cutting recommendations, which include using plenty of water, the proper speed, feed rate, etc. Once you follow the rules, it’s a piece of cake.

When doing edging on Dekton, What is the difference in the process compared to a natural stone?

In this sense, Dekton’s edge is very easy to work with since the material is very homogeneous, and it is easy to get very good results. Any fabricator can do it well on the first attempt.

What are some common mistakes that fabricators are making when it comes to cutting this material? And, what are some common mistakes with doing edging or doing sinkholes or something?

The main mistake is trying to fabricate Dekton as if it was a granite or quartz composite. You will fail if you use the same tools, speed rates, and so on. Another common mistake is trying to cut Dekton in uneven support. It is a common source of problems too.

Sometimes people ask about what machine is best to cut Dekton. I believe the key is not the machine but the tools and proper maintenance. I have seen people with very modest equipment doing amazing things and the other way around.

7 Keys for Cutting Ultra-Compact and Sintered Dekton and Porcelain Materials

1. Water

It may seem too simple or too intuitive to matter, but less than adequate water AND hoses positioned incorrectly is the most common error causing headaches among cutting these materials.

2. Check your table level

One of the more overlooked aspects of successful cutting is, to the degree that your table is not level in the horizontal plane, vibrations will occur. This unevenness can result in chipping and likely breaking the edge of your slab.

3. Buy the right blade

As cliche, as it may sound, choosing the right blade for the material you are processing, is critical.

4. Removing tensioning strips

While each manufacturer of ultra-compact and sintered porcelain materials may, or may not have tensioning strips built into the perimeters of each slab, if they are not removed before cutting, the slab is at higher risk of cracking or breaking.

5. Feed rate and RPMs

Using the same feed rate and RPMs you may be accustomed to when cutting other materials can be a recipe for trouble. Unlike fabricating more common materials such as marble and granite, we’ve seen the most success cutting ultra-compact and sintered porcelain materials when following a systemized approach is used.

6. Avoiding Plunging

While plunge cutting tends to be of little concern for most sawyers when cutting ultra-compact and sintered porcelain materials it can pose big problems resulting in cracking or breaking your slab.

7. Cutting Sinks

Projects requiring a sink cut-out can be an obstacle many fabricators dread. Since we already know plunging is not the ideal way to go about this, what are your options? When preparing a sink cut-out, it is advised to drill each of the four corners with a 1/2” core bit before to start initiating cutting.