Cook right from the countertop with undermount induction elements? Yes, but not all surfaces are equal in performance. Also, the 2022 NKBA Design Awards show how designers are using hard surfaces — and what they’re paying.

Skyrocketing natural-gas prices and the Russia-Ukraine war are causing problems in European tile manufacturing, including porcelain slab. Energy costs should a concern much closer to home, too.

The best of natural stone is celebrated with the 2021 Pinnacle Awards. Also, U.S. hard surfaces imports recorded a banner year in 2021, and standards are still vague on thicker porcelain-slab installations.

Can machines fill today’s labor gap in fabricator backshops? Also, dealing with a small town’s Zoomtown boom times, and more on the Natural Stone Foundation.

What’s the future of granite? We asked several designers, distributors and quarriers. Also, a Toronto coffee shop goes all in with travertine.

Deciding what to throw and what to keep in the collection of remnants out back. Also, a look at U.S. hard-surface imports mid-year.

Fighting a mysterious substance on a marble monument with lasers.; also, Coverings notes some of the best work worldwide in stone and tile.

Presetting CNC tooling may be that little bit extra to boost productivity; also, the Natural Stone Institute’s 2020 Pinnacle Awards shows that there are things to remember from last year.

Presetting CNC tooling may be that little bit extra to boost productivity; also, the Natural Stone Institute’s 2020 Pinnacle Awards shows that there are things to remember from last year.

There’s a boom in U.S. production of quartz surfaces; and, the market went way down and way UP for natural stone in 2020.