Marble

Estremoz Extra

Estremoz Extra is a premium grade of the classic Portuguese Estremoz marble from the Alentejo (Évora region) with a bright white to discreetly cream-white ground tone, soft cloudy grey shadings and an even, fine-crystalline calcite texture. At ROSSITTIS we fabricate the grade into wall claddings, interior floor areas, stairs, window sills, skirting details, fountain and pool surrounds under cover, as well as project-specific bespoke work with a classic Mediterranean character.

Marble Portugal

Available as: Slabs, Tiles and flooring slabs

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About Estremoz Extra

Background. Estremoz Extra comes from the Estremoz–Borba–Vila Viçosa marble triangle in the Alentejo (Évora region, Évora district). The occurrence lies in the Estremoz anticline complex of the Ossa-Morena zone and, with an unbroken quarrying tradition since Roman antiquity, is one of the oldest marble districts in Europe. Today more than 200 active quarries are worked in the three municipalities, together accounting for about 90 per cent of Portuguese marble production and keeping Portugal in the front rank of global marble production.

Geology. The Estremoz marbles are Cambrian metacarbonates, recrystallised during the Hercynian orogenic cycle. The stone consists of around 95–98 % calcite, alongside small proportions of dolomite, muscovite, pyrite and tremolite. Grain size is 0.1–0.5 mm and the grain fabric is evenly "granoblastic" – that is, finely and evenly crystalline without a preferred direction. From this comes the calm, luminously bright white appearance with discreet grey cloud and band structures, often almost textile-fine, which distinguish natural marble from an industrially manufactured material. Commercially, the Estremoz family comprises four main variants – Branco (white), Creme, Rosa Estremoz and Fior di Pesco / Estremoz Veado – with "Extra" listed as one of the premium grades.

What "Extra" means. In the Portuguese marble trade, "Extra" is the grade with a particularly calm, low-distraction image and an even distribution of light tone – clearer and purer still than standard Branco, but positioned below the absolute top class "Super". Characteristic are delicate light grey clouds and lines that give the surface depth without showing high-contrast veins. Occasional fine brownish or slightly pink flecks can occur, but are not the main image.

Technical values. Estremoz Extra achieves a bulk density of around 2,700–2,720 kg/m³, water absorption of 0.15–0.20 %, a compressive strength of around 90–110 MPa and a flexural strength of 14–18 MPa. Mohs hardness is 3–4 (calcite-dominated). Frost resistance is stated in the data sheet, but because of the acid sensitivity of calcite the suitability for weathering in open external areas is limited. Clearly acidic rain and de-icing salt can cause surface dulling.

ROSSITTIS range. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. From these we fabricate interior floor areas, stairs with treads and risers, wall claddings, window sills, skirtings, washstands, benches, fountain and pool surrounds under cover, as well as individual furniture tops. On request we also produce thinner wall formats (10 mm) for lightweight claddings.

Comparison. Within the Estremoz family, "Extra" ranks in quality above standard Branco and below the top grade "Super", which is calmer still. Compared with Bianco Carrara from Italy, Estremoz appears less strictly marbled, with a softer play of clouds and a subtler, often somewhat warmer ground tone. Compared with Turkish Mugla White, the colouring is greyer and calmer, less dazzlingly bright white.

Honest assessment. Estremoz Extra is a classic Mediterranean marble with a centuries-old building tradition. Its strength lies in its calm, elegant brightness and in its high visual consistency within a single order. In interior fit-out – wall, floor, stairs, bathroom – it is first choice for classic, restrained architecture. For heavily used kitchen worktops and for direct external building exposed to the weather, the acid sensitivity of the calcite must be taken into account; classic interior use is its natural domain.

Finishes

Estremoz Extra is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.

Poliert

Politur ist die klassischste Veredelung für Marmor und Kalkstein — eine glänzende Oberfläche mit höchstmöglicher Farbintensität und ausgeprägter Tiefenwirkung der Aderung. Je nach mineralischer Zusammensetzung kann die Wirkung stellenweise mattglänzend sein. Säureempfindlich — Wein, Zitrone und Essig hinterlassen Ätzspuren bei längerer Einwirkung.

Satiniert

Die Oberfläche wird gebürstet — weichere Minerale werden gezielt entfernt, es entsteht eine subtile Tiefe und mattes Erscheinungsbild. Besonders geaderte Kalksteine erhalten so eine charaktervolle Optik und Haptik. Die mattere Veredelung kaschiert kleine Ätzungen besser als poliert und ist alltagstauglicher für stark beanspruchte Innenflächen.

Care & fabrication

Cleaning. In everyday use, warm water, a soft cloth or a clean mop and a neutral to slightly alkaline pH stone cleaner are sufficient. Soapy marble care products and mild all-purpose cleaners without acid are suitable. Take up spilled acidic liquids – wine, citrus juice, vinegar, cola, tomato – immediately, because on calcite marble they leave dull etch stains that can only be removed by re-polishing.

Do not use. Acetic and citric acid, limescale and sanitary cleaners, anti-limescale sprays, WC cleaners, concrete and rust removers, highly concentrated all-purpose cleaners and chlorine-based bleaches are taboo. Avoid ordinary cleaning-vinegar solutions or glass cleaners with acid components too. Abrasive pads (green scouring pads, steel wool) scratch the polished surface.

Sealing. A sealer on a silane-polysiloxane basis protects the surface against grease, oil and water stains without discolouring it or forming a film. We recommend the first sealing directly after installation and a refresh every two to three years, annually in heavily used areas.

Kitchen. On kitchen worktops, Estremoz Extra can be used only with reservations. Acidic foods (tomato, lemon, vinegar, wine) leave dull patches without a protective layer; a good-quality sealer reduces the risk considerably but does not eliminate it entirely. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Bathroom. In the bathroom, Estremoz Extra is a classic choice – washstands, wall claddings, bath surrounds, showers. Consistently avoid anti-limescale sprays and limescale-dissolving sanitary cleaners, because they attack the marble surface immediately. Wipe off water droplets and soap residues with a soft cloth. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Floor. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. Dirt-trapping mats at the entrance markedly reduce the ingress of scratching particles.

Outdoors. Under cover (loggia, sheltered terrace, atrium) and for classic fountain or pool surrounds, Estremoz Extra is in principle suitable given good sealing and its frost resistance. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Repair. Dull acid stains or scratches can be locally re-polished by the stonemason. Deeper damage can be filled with pigmented polyester-resin-based marble filler and colour-matched into the surface.

Frequently asked questions

What is Estremoz Extra geologically?

Estremoz Extra is a Cambrian calcite marble from the Estremoz–Borba–Vila Viçosa marble triangle in the Alentejo (Portugal), Évora region. The grain fabric is finely crystalline and even (granoblastic), the mineralogy around 95–98 % calcite-determined with small proportions of dolomite, muscovite, pyrite and tremolite.

What does the grade "Extra" mean compared with standard or Super grades?

In the Portuguese marble trade, "Extra" stands for a premium selection with a particularly calm distribution of light tone and an even appearance – brighter, clearer and less distracting than standard Branco, but below the absolute top grade "Super". The cloudy grey shadings remain fine and subtle.

Which colour variants are there in the Estremoz range?

Commercially, the Estremoz family comprises the main variants Branco (white-grey), Creme (creamy warm), Rosa Estremoz (delicate rosé) and Fior di Pesco / Estremoz Veado (with a distinct play of veins). "Extra" is a grade designation, not a colour variant of its own – it is carried primarily in the Branco tonality.

What technical values does Estremoz Extra have?

Bulk density around 2,700–2,720 kg/m³, water absorption 0.15–0.20 %, compressive strength about 90–110 MPa, flexural strength 14–18 MPa, Mohs hardness 3–4. Frost resistance is stated; the acid sensitivity of the calcite must be taken into account outdoors and with aggressive cleaners.

Is Estremoz Extra suitable for kitchen worktops?

Only with reservations. Like all calcite marbles, Estremoz reacts to acids (wine, lemon, vinegar, tomato, cola) with dull etch stains. With good silane sealing and in the satin variant, use on bar counters, island tops and buffet tops is practical; for heavily loaded worktops with daily acid exposure an acid-proof alternative (granite, quartzite, porcelain) makes more sense.

Estremoz Extra or Estremoz Super – what is the difference?

Both are premium grades from the same marble family. Estremoz Super is the absolute top class with the calmest and most even distribution of light tone and comes close to pure white. Estremoz Extra sits one step below – with somewhat more visible cloud and band figuring, which many architects actually prefer because the stone appears livelier.

Which surfaces does ROSSITTIS supply?

The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.

Which cleaners may I use on Estremoz Extra?

Permitted are warm water, neutral to slightly alkaline stone care products and mild all-purpose cleaners without acid. Taboo are acetic, citric and hydrochloric acid, limescale cleaners, anti-limescale sprays, concrete and rust removers, chlorine-based bleaches and solvents. Abrasive pads should be avoided.