Marble Installation in Kyiv: Laying Marble, Types, Uses and Care | M-STONE

Marble: an eternal symbol of elegance and status

Marble has accompanied human civilisation for millennia. The palaces of Roman emperors, Greek temples, the residences of European monarchs: all these architectural masterpieces are decorated with marble. Today this noble stone has become more accessible, and more and more owners of apartments and houses choose marble to create luxurious interiors.

M-STONE is a recognised expert in installing marble in Kyiv and Ukraine. We work with the best varieties of marble from around the world, giving clients European-quality laying and a flawless result.

What marble is: a scientific and practical definition

Marble is a metamorphic rock formed by the recrystallisation of limestone under high pressure and temperature over millions of years. It is this process that gives marble its unique structure: the characteristic veins and patterns that make every slab one of a kind.

Chemical composition and properties

The basis of marble is calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), which determines its physical and chemical properties:

• Mohs hardness: 3-4 (softer than granite)
• Density: 2.6-2.8 g/cm³
• Water absorption: 0.1-0.5%
• Compressive strength: 50-200 MPa
• Porosity: 0.5-3%

These characteristics make marble suitable for interior finishing, but require a special approach to use and care.

The nature of marble patterns

The characteristic veins of marble are the result of various minerals being included during metamorphism:

• Grey veins: graphite and bituminous substances
• Yellow and brown: iron oxides (limonite)
• Green: chlorite and serpentine
• Pink and red: haematite
• Black: carbon inclusions

Every marble slab is unique: in nature there are no two identical fragments, which makes a marble interior exclusive.

Classification of marble by colour and origin

White marble

White marble is the most valued and most expensive variety, a symbol of purity and perfection.

Bianco Carrara (Italy)

• A white background with grey veins of varying intensity
• Classified by quality: C, CD, D
• The most popular marble in the world
• Use: floors, walls, countertops, sculpture

Calacatta (Italy)

• A white background with thick golden or grey veins
• A rare and expensive variety
• Quarried in only one quarry in Carrara
• Use: exclusive interiors, accent elements

Statuario (Italy)

• The purest white colour with minimal grey veins
• Used by Michelangelo for sculptures
• The premium segment of the market
• Use: luxurious interiors, art

Thassos (Greece)

• Crystal white, almost without veins
• A characteristic shine thanks to the crystalline structure
• Use: bathrooms, light interiors

Volakas (Greece)

• A white background with grey and beige veins
• A more affordable alternative to Italian varieties
• Use: residential and commercial spaces

Beige and cream marble

The warm shades of marble create a cosy atmosphere.

Crema Marfil (Spain)

• An even cream colour
• The most popular beige marble in the world
• Stable quality and large extraction volumes
• Use: floors, walls, stairs

Botticino (Italy)

• Light beige with brown veins
• A classic Italian marble
• Use: classic interiors

Breccia Oniciata (Italy)

• A beige background with a contrasting pattern
• A decorative effect
• Use: accent walls, panels

Daino Reale (Italy)

• Beige-brown with characteristic spots
• Use: floors, walls

Brown marble

Brown shades give an interior depth and warmth.

Emperador Dark (Spain)

• Dark brown with white veins
• Contrasting and expressive
• Use: floors, walls, countertops

Emperador Light (Spain)

• A light brown option
• A softer contrast
• Use: combining with dark varieties

Marron Imperial (Spain)

• A rich brown with chaotic veins
• Use: exclusive interiors

Grey marble

Grey marble is a trend in modern design.

Bardiglio (Italy)

• An even grey colour of varying saturation
• Exists in the variants: Chiaro, Medio, Scuro
• Use: minimalist interiors

Grigio Carnico (Italy)

• Dark grey with white veins
• A dramatic contrast
• Use: accent elements

Pietra Grey (Iran)

• Graphite grey with thin white lines
• Modern and stylish
• Use: bathrooms, kitchens

Black marble

Black marble is a symbol of luxury and drama.

Nero Marquina (Spain)

• A deep black colour with white veins
• The most popular black marble
• Use: contrasting solutions, accents

Nero Portoro (Italy)

• Black with golden veins
• Rare and exclusive
• Use: premium interiors

Sahara Noir (Tunisia)

• Black with beige and gold inclusions
• Use: decorative elements

Green marble

Green marble is an exotic choice for bold interiors.

Verde Guatemala (India/Guatemala)

• A rich green with white veins
• Use: accent walls, countertops

Verde Alpi (Italy)

• Dark green, almost emerald
• Use: classic interiors

Rainforest Green (India)

• Green with brown veins
• A natural pattern reminiscent of a forest
• Use: natural interiors

Pink and red marble

Rare colours for unique projects.

Rosa Portogallo (Portugal)

• A delicate pink with grey veins
• Use: romantic interiors

Rosso Levanto (Italy)

• Burgundy with white and green veins
• Use: accent elements

Rojo Alicante (Spain)

• Red-brown with white veins
• Use: classic interiors

Use of marble in interiors

A marble floor

A marble floor is an investment in the beauty and durability of your home.

Advantages of a marble floor:

• Unrivalled aesthetics and luxury
• Durability (centuries with proper care)
• Coolness in summer (pleasant in hot weather)
• Hygiene (does not accumulate bacteria)
• The possibility of restoration (grinding, polishing)
• Increases the value of the property

Features of use:

• Sensitivity to acids (wipe up spilled liquids immediately)
• The need for regular care
• Coldness (an underfloor heating system is recommended)
• Slipperiness of a polished surface (not for bathrooms)

Recommendations from M-STONE:

• For a living room: polished white or beige marble
• For a lobby: antiqued or honed marble
• For a kitchen: honed with a water-repellent treatment
• For a bathroom: antiqued with anti-slip properties

Marble walls

Cladding walls with marble creates an atmosphere of real luxury.

Accent walls A single marble wall can transform a whole interior. Popular solutions:

• The wall behind the sofa in a living room
• The wall behind the bed in a bedroom
• The wall in a dining area
• The wall in the lobby at the entrance

Full cladding For premium interiors the walls are fully clad in marble:

• Bathrooms
• Spa areas
• Hotel and restaurant lobbies
• Private residences

Book-match and vein-match Special laying techniques for creating symmetrical patterns:

• Book-match: mirrored laying of two slabs that creates the effect of an open book
• Vein-match: continuing the veins from one slab to another

M-STONE masters the book-match and vein-match laying technology for creating exclusive interiors.

Marble stairs

Marble stairs are the central element of a luxurious interior.

Elements of marble stairs:

• Treads: the main part with a rounded edge (bullnose)
• Risers: vertical elements between the treads
• Skirting: finishing where the stairs meet the wall
• Landings: horizontal elements between flights
• Balustrades: guards with balusters
• Handrails: the top element of the guard

Finishing options:

• Fully marble stairs
• Marble treads with wrought-iron balustrades
• A combination of marble and wood
• Marble treads with glass balustrades

Marble countertops

A marble countertop is a practical way to add luxury to a kitchen or bathroom.

Kitchen countertops Marble in a kitchen is beautiful but requires caution:

• Sensitivity to acids (lemon juice, vinegar)
• The possibility of stains
• The need for regular water-repellent treatment
• Recommended varieties: Bianco Carrara, Calacatta, Statuario

Bathroom countertops An ideal use for marble:

• Less contact with aggressive substances
• Moisture resistance with proper treatment
• A luxurious look

Islands and bar counters A marble island becomes the central element of a kitchen:

• Large-format slabs for a monolithic look
• Combination with wooden or metal elements
• Lighting for an additional effect

Marble fireplaces

A marble fireplace is a classic of interior design.

Types of marble fireplaces:

• A classic surround: a traditional U-shaped structure with carving
• A modern surround: a minimalist design without unnecessary details
• A built-in fireplace: marble cladding of a niche
• An island fireplace: a separate structure in the middle of the room

Popular varieties for fireplaces:

• Bianco Carrara: a classic choice
• Crema Marfil: a warm cosy option
• Nero Marquina: a contrasting modern option

Marble in a bathroom

A bathroom is the most popular place to use marble.

Full cladding Walls and a floor made of marble turn a bathroom into a spa.

The shower area Marble walls and floor in a shower are practical and luxurious.

A marble bathtub Carved from a solid block or clad in marble: the height of luxury.

A marble sink A countertop or built-in marble sink is an elegant accent.

Shelves and niches Marble shelves and niches complete the interior.

Use of marble in exteriors

Building facades

Marble facades are a sign of prestige and status:

• Ventilated facade systems
• Durability and resistance to weather
• Natural beauty for decades

Exterior stairs and terraces

Marble outdoors needs a special approach:

• An antiqued or bush-hammered finish for slip resistance
• Special water repellents to protect from moisture
• Frost-resistant adhesive mixes

Pools

Marble fit-out of pools:

• Copings and edges
• The floor around the pool
• Walls and decorative elements

The marble installation technology by M-STONE

Features of working with marble

Marble is a demanding material that needs a professional approach:

Fragility: marble cracks easily if handled incorrectly.

Porosity: the stone absorbs moisture and stains without protection.

Sensitivity to chemicals: acids destroy the surface of marble.

Uniqueness of the pattern: every slab needs individual selection.

Stages of installation

• Consultation and measuring
• A specialist visits the site
• Assessing the condition of the substrate
• Determining the volume of work
• Recommendations on choosing marble
• Choosing the material
• Selecting slabs by colour and pattern
• Checking the quality of the material
• Planning the layout
• Substrate preparation
• Dismantling old coverings
• Levelling the surface
• Waterproofing (if needed)
• Priming
• Laying
• A trial layout
• Applying white adhesive
• Laying the slabs with levelling
• Grouting the joints
• Final treatment
• Polishing (if needed)
• A water-repellent treatment
• Crystallisation of the surface

Special equipment

M-STONE uses professional equipment:

• Vacuum suction cups for large slabs
• Stone-cutting machines with water cooling
• Polishing machines
• Laser levels
• Special adhesive mixes and grouts

Caring for marble

Daily care

• Wiping with a dry soft cloth
• Washing with warm water and a pH-neutral product
• Immediately removing spilled liquids

Periodic care

• Deep cleaning with special products
• Renewing the water-repellent treatment (once every 1-2 years)
• Polishing out scratches

What to avoid

• Acidic products (vinegar, lemon juice, descalers)
• Abrasive sponges and powders
• Aggressive household chemicals
• Long contact with staining substances

• The cost depends on: the variety and quality of the marble
• The size and thickness of the slabs
• The complexity of the site
• The volume of preparatory work
• The type of surface finish

Contact M-STONE to calculate the cost!

M-STONE contacts

📞 Phones: +38 068 100 27 96, +38 050 914 18 99 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Website: https://mstone.ua/

Social media:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstone_kiev/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mstone.kyiv/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@M-Stone_Kyiv/

Service areas

Kyiv: all districts of the city Kyiv region: Brovary, Irpin, Bucha, Vyshhorod, Vyshneve, Boiarka, Ukrainka, Obukhiv, Kozyn, Koncha-Zaspa and others

M-STONE’s advantages

✅ A specialisation in natural stone ✅ Experience with premium varieties of marble ✅ Our own equipment for stone processing ✅ A team of experienced stonemasons ✅ A quality guarantee on all work ✅ Help with choosing and buying the material

Create the interior of your dreams with marble from M-STONE!

The current cost of work for your project can be calculated in the online calculators or confirmed by the manager: it depends on the material, the slab format and the condition of the substrate. The consultation is free.