As a Brazilian quartzite, Supernova is a robust hard stone with low water absorption, full acid resistance and a Mohs hardness of around 7. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar, cola, sanitary cleaners or descalers leave no etch marks as they would on marble or limestone — the stone is considerably easier to care for and well suited to intensive everyday use.
For internal applications we recommend an impregnation on a silane or polysiloxane basis at first installation. On polished surfaces a refresh every 5–8 years is sufficient, depending on use; on heavily used kitchen worktops or light quartz areas, check every 2–3 years. Impregnation protects against deep penetration by oil, grease and pigments — on the heterogeneous surface of Supernova discolouration can otherwise show up, particularly on the lighter quartz veins.
Daily care is carried out with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft cloth or microfibre mop. Clear warm water is usually sufficient. Acidic cleaners are fundamentally unproblematic, but should nevertheless not be used because they can attack the impregnation. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
For kitchen worktops Supernova is well suited: cut- and scratch-resistant, insensitive to heat (hot pots and pans can be set down directly for short periods, though prolonged heat exposure above 200 °C should still be avoided), acid-resistant and with good stain repellence thanks to the low water absorption. The expressive, vein-dominated surface conceals small marks of use surprisingly well. For external applications we recommend a project-specific data sheet check of the frost resistance before ordering. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. In areas with frequent salt contact (de-icing salt, pool chlorine) we recommend an additional annual impregnation refresh. The dark taupe-bronze base tone stores a great deal of solar energy in hot climate zones — for pool areas in the south, combine it with locally cooled irrigation where appropriate.