The
Marble Institute of America (MIA) and National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) announced that they are partnering in 2006 to present MIA's two-day educational course entitled "Increase Your Share of the Residential Countertop Market."
"This popular one-day or two-day educational program, which was used by the MIA to launch its regional seminar series in 2005, will be held in five locations during the coming year," said Jim Hieb, director of special projects for the leading natural stone organization. Dates and locations include Orlando, January 9-10; Washington, DC, May 18-19; San Diego, June 6-7; Mahwah, N.J., September 6-7, and Dallas, December 14-15.
NKBA members can receive continuing education credits for attending these courses.
"Education is one of the key elements in building a successful kitchen and bath business," said Sherylin Doyle, NKBA's director of professional programs. "The MIA is doing an outstanding job in promoting how to sell natural stone and our members will benefit from the sales and showroom insight they will gain during this seminar. There will also be increased synergy between our two industries when NKBA members understand more about the installation and fabrication process. This is especially valuable since the use of natural stone is booming in residential applications."
"MIA members and non-members from the natural stone industry will also be invited to attend the countertop session. This seminar is a perfect blend of sales & showroom, fabrication and installation training," Hieb said.
The
Marble Institute of America, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is the world's leading provider of continuing education in the natural stone industry. Including the five residential marketing seminars, MIA will present at least 22 one and two-day seminars in 2006.
About the
Marble Institute of America
For over 60 years the
Marble Institute of America (MIA) has been the world's leading information resource and advocate for the natural stone industry. MIA members include
marble, granite,
limestone, sandstone, and other natural stone producers and quarriers, fabricators, installers, distributors, and contractors around the world.
For more information, contact MIA at (440) 250-9222 or visit
http://www.marble-institute.com/educ...a_seminars.cfm.
About the National Kitchen & Bath Association
The National Kitchen & Bath Association is a non-profit trade association that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 40 years. With more than 30,000 members and growing at more than 6 percent this year, NKBA's mission is to enhance member success and excellence by promoting professionalism and ethical business practices, and providing leadership and direction for the kitchen and bathroom industry. For more information, please call 800-THE-NKBA or visit
www.nkba.org.
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 | | Marble | MARBLE: CHARACTERISTICS
This standard includes general information on the characteristics
and common uses of marble and identifies typical problems
associated with the material.
INTRODUCTION
Marble is an extremely hard, metamorphic stone composed of calcite
(CaCO3). It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of
limestone under the intense pressure and heat of geologic
processes. The effect of this process is the creation of a stone
with a very tight crystalline structure and small but definite
porosity. Because of its structure, marble can take a very high
polish and is a very popular decorative stone for architectural and
sculptural uses. The limited porosity of marble, especially
polished marble, makes it less vulnerable to the leaching effects
of water. Calcium carbonate, however, of which marble is composed,
is highly susceptible to attack by acidic agents. Marble is
readily dissolved by acids, even very dilute acids, however the
actual results of acidic exposure will vary with the nature of the
acid. Chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and other chemical compounds
react differently with marble and produce various by-products,
which have a wide range of solubility and impact on the durability
of marble. For this reason, it is always important to determine
the exact type of pollutants causing marble deterioration.
Marble itself can be of two types, one composed of calcite and the
other of dolomite. Dolomitic marble is much more resistant to acid
attack than calcite marble. The color of marble ranges from the
brilliant white of calcite to black, including blue-gray, red,
yellow and green, depending upon the mineral composition.
TYPICAL USES
Marble has many decorative and structural uses. It is used for
outdoor sculpture as well as for sculpture bases; in architecture
it is used in exterior walls and veneers, flooring, decorative
features, stairways and walkways. The way in which the stone is
used may be a factor in limiting or controlling the severity of
exposure. The use or function of the marble may also affect the
feasibility of applying certain treatments, but type of use is not
the primary factor in the major types of deterioration and damage
to which marble is susceptible. | |  |
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