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The advantages of using marble or travertine for pool copings, pool areas, decks and patios


In the heat of the summer, even pools decks and coping can get extremely hot. The coolest natural stone that can be used to remedy this is issue is travertine and or marble which will remain comfortable to touch. 

This natural stone originates in Turkey where the climate is warm. Here in this part of the world, specifically here in the northeastern part of the US, our weather can be extreme. NT Trading offers Elegance Collection first quality marble and travertine that will stand up through our harshest of winters.  It is the second quality material that does fine in our warmer areas like Florida but it is NOT meant for the our region.

These materials don’t stain or fade if sealed. We highly recommend sealing our strongest sandblasted marbles for enhancement; Blue, Afyon Ice, Crema Winter, and Rain Cloud Marbles.

Marble pavers resist bacteria, preventing any harmful elements from thriving in the pool area. Tumbled marble pavers provide a strong grip to prevent slipping and falling incidents.

Since the ancient times, artists have been using marble for creating sculptures not just because of the beauty of this material but also because of its durability. When you use marble pavers, you don’t have to worry about changing it for the years to come. Indeed, it is a great investment.

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Porcelain Pavers And Pedestal Systems – Perfect Together For Roof Decking, Raised Terraces, Or Outdoor Elevated Flooring.

The Pedestal system is a high point of contemporary paving. It is based on a series of adjustable modular supports that simply and safely adapt to all kinds of floors. It ensures elegant, homogenous paving each time, without having to subject your project to any structural work. It eradicates problems of dampness, water infiltration and is great for hiding pipes and wires.

With the Elegance Pedestal system, you can easily compensate for slight unevenness, irregularities and any gradients on the laying surface creating a perfectly stable and flat paved surface.
The pedestal design allows for the laying surface and any installed services to be accessed and maintained without damaging the paving.

Since the design trends are moving towards large format porcelain tile, NT Trading offers the perfect match with our 24”x24”, 32”x32”, and 20”x40” Italian pavers.  The result is a quick, sleek, clean, jointless install to be enjoyed for years to come.

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Custom Copings And All Fabrications Available In-House At NT Trading


Whether you are using Elegance Collection porcelain, travertine or marble for your pool deck we offer coping, treads and steps to conform for an aesthetically pleasing outcome.

For example, if you have chosen silver travertine for your pool deck we can fabricate 2” pool coping with a bullnose finish or eased edge in silver which can be cut to any size offered up to 72” in length. We can customize any radius cuts or coping in the same material. We have template services or one can be provided to us by your installer. We can create outdoor countertops from our slabs and offer a split-faced veneer in the same material as a complement to complete final touches on piers, column bases, kitchen facing or fireplaces.

Materials all work together at NT Trading, for a seamless flow of very subtle variations in color and texture to create an outdoor masterpiece.

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Bluestone lovers keep an open-mind when designing your outdoor spaces and hardscapes.


I can’t tell you the number of homeowners and contractors that came into our showroom set on visions of a bluestone patio and pool decking. It’s important when spending a lot on your projects that you consider all your options.

Exterior porcelain pavers are a great option to bluestone. In years to come, they will maintain their color, integrity, and luster. They don’t fade, stain or get hot if your color choice is not too dark. We have some porcelain pavers that mimic bluestone so closely in color and texture it’s hard to tell what you are walking on, they are virtually bullet proof. NT Trading offers modular patterns in 2cm and our wood look series has developed quite a following. The trend seems to be moving towards a larger and cleaner product which brings us to our 20×40 and 32×32 Italian tiles series.  The Moon is our 20×40 bluestone look-alike.

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Battle of the Stones: Marble, Travertine, or Porcelain for your Outdoor Project?


So you’ve decided to redesign your outdoor space or are simply starting from scratch. You know what you want the space to feel like, the shape of the pool, the flowers that line the entrance. But now it’s time to get down to the knitty gritty, the great contender of your outdoor space: the pavers. Why are pavers so important? Because they’re the part that takes up the largest space, both physically and visually.  NT Trading has a wide variety of outdoor stones to choose from, from Marble and Travertine to Porcelain, all tested to withstand even the roughest outdoor conditions like rain and snow. But with such a wide selection, it’s tough to know which one to choose and we’re here to help!

Marble

A stone synonymous with luxury and has withstood the test of centuries, marble is a popular option for outdoor spaces.  From the buttery creams of our Crema Winter to the rich, deep navy of Blue Marble, white of Afyon Ice Marble, grey veins of Rain Cloud Marble; the depth of color that marble will add to your space is unmatched. NT Trading offers two finishes, tumbled and sandblasted, you can choose the finishing that is right for your lifestyle. With a tumbled finishing you have the traditional look of marble, with beautiful veining and the smooth surface.  With sandblasted, you have a slightly textured surface perfect for outdoor areas exposed to water, such as pools. NT Trading offers both pavers and pool copings in tumbles and sandblasted finishing as that you have a consistent look and feel throughout your entire project.

Travertine

Mined from our own quarry in Izmir, Turkey, travertine is much-loved for its warmth and texture. Popular, in rustic and traditional decors, travertine is classic and timeless. Known for being cool to the touch, even in summer heat, your kids and pets can walk on travertine without having to worry about it getting hot under the sun. Travertine gives the look of coziness to your space, with soft edges, subtle veining, and natural variation that gives natural stone its beauty! But don’t let that fool you! Having direct access to the quarry, we only offer first quality material, meaning it’s denser that standard commercial travertine so you don’t have to worry about it being exposed to heavy rain or snow.

Porcelain

Modern and minimal, porcelain has been beloved by European designers for decades! No wonder! It is easy to install, durable, and contemporary designers favorite as you get a stone look without the business and variation of natural stone. If you’re looking for a smooth, even surface without the variation and movement you find in natural stone, the NT Trading porcelain collection is the way to go. Produced in Italy, the industry leader in outdoor porcelain, you never have to worry about porcelain not being able to withstand harsh winter.

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Judging a Book By Its Cover, Judging a Home by its Facing


As the old saying goes, you can’t judge a book by its cover, but sometimes we all can’t help but judge a house by its exterior! That’s why we offer a wide range of natural stone veneers and ledgers to choose from for your home exterior. Siding is not just limited to homes though. Add a unique touch to the side of your Jacuzzi, pool, or outdoor kitchen space with travertine or marble.

When planning your space, an important design aspect to keep in mind is making sure all sidings match if you choose to use it in multiple spaces of your home. For example, the outdoor kitchen space and pool siding should match. Looking for a rustic look? Try NT Trading’s Ella Travertine 4” x Mix Sizes, warm reddish gold with swirls of sienna that draw your eye in with interesting patterns. Modern look more your style? White Afyon Ice Marble 6” x 24” ledger stones are bright, white, and a stunning sight for anyone looking to have a more minimal design. The 6” x 24” ledger, whether you choose travertine or marble, are easy to install as they come already on a mesh backing which can be adhered to any surface.

We carry Silver, Ella, Noce, Ivory Travertine as well as Afyon and Blue Marble. You can choose from 6” x24” or 4” x Mix Sizes. But of course, nothing is better than seeing this material in person so come by to check out our showroom anytime!

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Should Pool Copings and Pavers Match?


Matching is a style question that has existed for ages. When it comes to fashion, interior, and architectural design, should the copings, treads, and pavers always match? We say ABSOLUTELY NOT! Have fun and create a work of art by mixing and matching not only pool copings, but the pavers as well. For example, NT Trading Walnut pavers pair nicely with the Ella travertine pavers. Or try pairing NT Trading Antico Pavers with a Blue Marble 6”x12” border. The possibilities are endless!

Why do we suggest mixing materials? Because the beauty of natural stone is in the variation, that’s what makes it one of a kind. Mixing colors only highlight the beauty of the stone, giving your outdoor pavers a luxe look with minimal effort. Who doesn’t love that? Even when choosing natural stones with already minimal variations, mix and match to add depth to the outdoor space, as having a monotone look does not capitalize on the possibilities of NT Trading stones.  If you are wary of mixing natural stone, try NT Trading Ivory French Pattern Pavers with NT Trading Walnut treads or pool coping. The combination of similar tones of brown and beige will add depth to your space. Another suggestion is to try NT Trading Ivory treads for your steps and install NT Trading Ella Veneer or Ledger on the risers to add some character.

The possibilities are truly endless. Take a chance with different materials and create a unique space with NT Trading material. We carry pool copings in 12”x24”, 12”x48”, 12”x72”, 16”x72” with both an eased edge and bullnose edge. We also carry pavers! Come take a look at our French Pattern (8”x8”, 8”x16”, 16”x16”, 16”x24”) and each individual sizes. Stop by our showroom to see the material for yourself!

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Porcelain Pavers

Known for its durability and design, porcelain has been beloved by European designers for decades.  With both indoor and outdoor porcelain available, NT Trading has the look and feel to complement any space and project. Why choose our porcelain? We carry a variety of looks for porcelain from stone-look, wood-look, and marble-look that add a clean, modern touch to your space.  Even the popular white marble look can be created with carrara and calacatta porcelain, at a fraction of the cost of marble. Another benefit? Our porcelain is easy to maintain, easy to install, long-lasting, and ultra-durable, what’s not to love?  Best of all, porcelain is also a great cost effective option if you’re looking to upgrade your space, and we do our best to work out a price that fits your budget. Choose from Elegance indoor tiles, outdoor pavers, and pool copings for your next big project!

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Back to School: Grading your Travertine


Before you whip out your pen and paper, don’t worry, no real grading is involved, we’ve done the math for you. Travertine grades are a standard of quality control used to distinguish premium quality material from commercial quality material.  Being that we’re quarry owners, NT Trading only stocks premium quality travertine, as we firmly believe that no other grade can withstand the elements and weather changes. How can you spot the difference? Here’s a handy guide to distinguishing premium quality travertine from commercial quality travertine.

Texture

The cobbled texture of Travertine is what gives travertine it’s rustic, cozy feel. Natural Travertine, regardless of grade, naturally comes with small holes and indents. What separates premium quality from commercial quality travertine is the amount of holes and the filled holes. NT Trading’s travertine pavers and pool copings come with minimal holes and large holes are filled with special filler, never cement, to further reinforce travertine’s strength.  Commercial quality travertine comes with many holes, and large holes are left unfilled, where water and snow can easily enter and leave the travertine soft and exposed to damages. NT Trading stands by each paver and coping we produce, and have a special quality control team at the quarry in Turkey which inspects each item before it gets packaged and shipped to the United States.

Color

The beauty of natural stones is a variation of color, no two stones are exactly alike. But there’s nothing worse than selecting a color of stone and receiving material that looks nothing like what you chose. Commercial quality travertine has heavy variation, some pieces being almost black or large dark spots. Premium quality material keeps consistent color throughout the lot without large dark spots or large dark veins. Make no mistake, all travertine, whether commercial or premium, will have variation. That’s what makes it one-of-a-kind! For example, NT Trading’s Silver Travertine has light grey veining through the stone, giving it movement and life. But what we show you in our warehouse is exactly the material you will receive.

Durability

Travertine is a material that has withstood the test of time. The Romans used it for their bathhouses and the Greeks for their metropolises. But not all travertine is meant to last. Holes in commercial quality travertine expose the natural stone to water and melting snow, which makes the stone weak and susceptible to breaking and popping up from the ground. That’s why choosing a stone that has minimal holes or filled holes are so important. While the price may seem tempting at first, a commercial quality stone is not meant to last, especially if you leave in an area that has hot summers and cold winters, or extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes. Even temperature changes overnight, especially in areas where the nights are cold and the days are hot, can be too much for commercial quality travertine.

NT Trading has hands-on quality control of our quarry, and hand selects only the best travertine, marble and limestone to stock in the United States. Our quality control team inspects each product that comes here and we stand by our material 100%. We’re so confident that you’ll love our material that we encourage you to stop by our warehouse in Hawthorne, New Jersey, where you can see our showroom or even see the material in the exact crate you will receive.  Come visit us anytime to choose the right travertine for your project!

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Grout Cleaner

Grout cleaner

To keep your surfaces, outdoor and indoor, looking as good as the day they’re installed for as long as you have them, we recommend fila grout haze remover and fila heavy-duty cleaner. Remove limescale, grout, grout residue, and rust stains without the harmful chemical odors which are bad for you and the environment. Confidently clean your material knowing it will not be damaged and original finishing will not be tarnished. Can be used alone or as a detergent when diluted with water, doubling as both a detergent and a descaler.