Laying Large-Format Natural Stone in Kyiv: Travertine, Marble, Onyx. Technology

Large natural stone (120×240, 150×300, 160×320 cm and slab) requires a completely different approach from porcelain stoneware. The main risks: cracks from internal stress, stains from the wrong adhesive, colour change from moisture, peeling because of insufficient adhesion.

Features of laying large-format natural stone

• Slabs 2-3 cm thick often weigh 80-200 kg → vacuum suction cups + 2-4 people are mandatory.
• Stone lets moisture through → adhesive only on a polyurethane, epoxy or special low-water cement base.
• The stone surface can be polished, honed, leathered or bush-hammered → each texture needs its own adhesive and grout.
• Joints 2-5 mm (narrow joints on marble are risky because of possible bending of the slab).

Recommended adhesives and sealants for natural stone (M-STONE 2026)

• Polyurethane: Mapei Ultrabond Eco PU 2K, Akemi Akepox 5010, Sika SikaBond PU.
• Epoxy: Mapei Kerapoxy Design, Litokol EpoxyElite, Tenax Glaxs PC/F.
• Hybrid low-water: Kerakoll H40 No Limits, Litokol Litostone K+
• Impregnations: Akemi Marble Polish, Tenax Proseal, Lithofin MN Fleckstop.

Preparing the substrate for natural stone

• The flattest possible surface (deviation ≤ 1.5 mm per 2 m).
• A dry substrate (moisture < 2%).
• Primer with an adhesion bridge (Mapei Primer G, Litokol Primer EP).
• Waterproofing in wet areas (Mapelastic AquaDefense, PCI Lastogum).
• Reinforcement with mesh or fibre at a layer thickness > 10 mm.

Technology of laying large slabs of natural stone

• Dry layout → choosing the most beautiful areas, avoiding veins and defects.
• Double application of adhesive (substrate + back of the slab).
• Positioning with suction cups, levelling with a laser.
• Vibrating each slab for 5-10 minutes (a special vibrator, 3000-6000 rpm).
• Fixing with plastic wedges or a levelling system (Rubi, Leveling Clips).
• Filling the joints with epoxy grout in the colour of the stone.
• Removing the cement film after 24-48 hours (not earlier!).
• Final polishing + protective impregnation (2-3 coats).

Use of stone indoors and outdoors (M-STONE examples)

• Travertine Indoors: living-room floors, stairs, walls with an “old Rome” effect, fireplaces, bar counters. Outdoors: terraces, pools, stairs, plinths, paths, fountains.
• Marble (Carrara, Calacatta, Statuario, Emperador) Indoors: bathrooms, kitchen islands, wall panels, floors in lobbies and premium bedrooms. Outdoors: stairs, balustrades, portals (provided frost protection).
• Onyx Indoors: backlit walls, bar counters, shower partitions, decorative panels, ceilings. Outdoors: rarely, only closed gazebos and winter gardens.

Service areas in Kyiv Pechersk, Lypky, Vozdvyzhenka, Podil, Andriivskyi Descent, Obolon, the Minskyi area, Troieshchyna, Livoberezhna, Darnytsia, Pozniaky, Osokorky, Solomianka, Borshchahivka, Sviatoshyn, Akademmistechko, Teremky, the Novopecherski Lypky, PecherSky, Krystal, Novodom, River Stone, Fairmont and Bulvar Druzhby Narodiv residential complexes.

Contacts: [email protected] +38 068 100 27 96 +38 050 914 18 99 https://mstone.ua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstone_kiev/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mstone.kyiv/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@M-Stone_Kyiv/

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.