SURFACES INSIDER
THE INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER FOR STONE & SURFACE PROFESSIONALS | APRIL 2026
New Collections, Industry Insights & Surface Trends
ABOUT US
For over 21 years, Granite Plus has been a trusted name in the stone industry, proudly serving the Tampa Bay area and beyond. We specialize in curating custom kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces, and showers — transforming everyday spaces into stunning expressions of craftsmanship and design. From the first selection of a slab to the final installation, our team is dedicated to making your dream a reality. With two decades of expertise, an eye for detail, and a passion for natural and engineered stone, Granite Plus brings unmatched quality and personal service to every project we touch.
OUR SQUARE FOOT PROGRAM
Our Square Foot Program takes the guesswork out of budgeting and makes premium stone surfaces more accessible than ever. With over 40 carefully curated options — this program gives clients and designers a straightforward, transparent pricing model based on square footage — no need to buy a full slab. Whether you are updating a kitchen countertop, or refreshing a bathroom vanity, our Square Foot Program offers a diverse selection of colors, patterns, and finishes at a price point that works for any budget. Each of the 40+ options has been hand-selected by our team for quality, durability, and design versatility — so no matter which surface you choose, you are getting a product backed by 21 years of Granite Plus expertise. Visit our showroom or speak with one of our stone specialists to explore the full collection and find the perfect fit for your next project.
INDUSTRY NEWS: POMPEII QUARTZ EXPANDS ITS COLLECTION
Pompeii Quartz — the Naples, Florida-based engineered stone brand distributed through UMI Stone — has made significant waves in the industry with its latest color expansion. With over 100 colors already in its portfolio and a reputation built on Breton Technology manufacturing, natural quartz composition, and strong regional distribution across Florida and the Southeast, Pompeii Quartz continues to grow as one of the most specifier-friendly quartz lines on the market. Their newest additions reflect exactly where the design market is headed — warm neutrals, dramatic veining, and surfaces that perform as impressively as they look.
THE NEW POMPEII QUARTZ COLOR ADDITIONS
Sollight:
A soft white background with fine, delicate veining that delivers clean, quiet luxury. Sollight works beautifully in modern kitchens and all-white bathrooms, pairing naturally with light wood finishes, matte black fixtures, and minimalist design schemes.
Melinda:
A warm beige base with an intricate web of fine white veining that reads as artisan-crafted and organic. Melinda hits the sweet spot for designers seeking earthy warmth without veering yellow — ideal for farmhouse kitchens, rustic-modern interiors, and spaces anchored by wood accents or brushed gold hardware.
Calacatta Estremo:
A crisp white background with bold, fractured veining that captures the drama of Italian marble. Strong enough to anchor a waterfall island or full-height backsplash, balanced enough to work in open-concept kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and fireplace surrounds.
Marillie:
A bold blue background with dramatic white veining that cuts across the surface like streaks of lightning. An edgy, contemporary statement piece built for kitchen islands, bar tops, and modern vanities where high contrast is the goal.
VetroBlu:
A deep blue terrazzo base with scattered reflective fragments that shift with the light. Unlike anything else in the Pompeii lineup — a compelling option for commercial spaces, creative studios, boutique kitchens, and feature bathroom walls seeking genuine originality.
WHY POMPEII QUARTZ MATTERS TO THE FLORIDA MARKET
With UMI Stone distribution hubs operating in Tampa, Sarasota, Naples, Orlando, Boynton Beach, and Jacksonville, Pompeii Quartz carries one of the strongest regional supply chains of any engineered stone brand in the Southeast. For Florida fabricators and designers, that translates to shorter lead times, live-inventory visibility, and a consistent supply of in-demand colors. The brand’s commitment to natural quartz content — bound with resin and inorganic pigments using Breton Technology — means each slab delivers the durability, scratch resistance, and low-maintenance performance that residential and commercial clients expect. As warm neutrals and bold veining continue to dominate specification decisions across Tampa Bay, the Pompeii collection arrives well-timed and well-stocked.
ĒCLOS LAUNCH EVENT: COSENTINO CENTER, PALMETTO
On March 26, Granite Plus hosted an exclusive Eclos kickoff event at the Cosentino Center in Palmetto — and the response from the design and trade community was outstanding. With 60+ attendees filling the space, the evening brought together designers, fabricators, builders, and industry partners for an up-close introduction to both the Eclos collection and the Granite Plus team behind it.
Guests had the opportunity to explore the full Eclos color lineup in person — touching, comparing, and experiencing the in-layered design technology and silica-free composition that make this collection unlike anything else currently on the market. The Cosentino Center provided the perfect backdrop, showcasing the slabs in a beautifully curated environment that let the material speak for itself. Representatives from Cosentino were on hand to walk attendees through the engineering and performance specs behind Eclos, while the Granite Plus team shared how the collection fits into the firm’s broader offering and Square Foot Program.
A great time was had by all — and the energy in the room made one thing clear: Eclos has arrived at exactly the right moment for this market. Thank you to every guest who joined us for an unforgettable evening, and to the Cosentino team for an exceptional venue. If you missed it, reach out to us — slab samples are available in our St. Petersburg showroom.
INDUSTRY ROUNDUP: APRIL 2026
Tariff Developments:
The Natural Stone Institute continues active engagement with the U.S. Commerce Department as Section 232 tariff reviews on imported stone products proceed. Domestic fabricators are monitoring proposed duty adjustments on Brazilian quartzite and Italian marble — two materials central to high-end residential projects across the Southeast. Granite Plus is working proactively with our import partners to stabilize pricing through Q3 2026.
Porcelain Supply Chain Update:
Large-format porcelain demand continues its record run, with U.S. commercial specification now exceeding 34% of all hard surface projects.
Florida Building Boom:
Residential construction permits across the Tampa Bay–St. Petersburg metro rose 11% in Q1 2026 versus Q1 2025, according to regional building data. New construction activity is driving sustained demand for kitchen and bath surfaces, with designers and builders increasingly specifying premium engineered and natural stone over laminate alternatives.
Silica Regulation Update:
OSHA's enhanced silica exposure standard for construction and general industry operations remains in full effect. Fabrication shops that have not yet completed air quality baseline testing are encouraged to act now. Granite Plus remains ahead of the curve through our ongoing partnership with the University of South Florida — the most comprehensive third-party air quality program in the region.
INDUSTRY TRENDS: SPRING/SUMMER 2026
Biophilic Design Drives Surface Choices:
The biophilic design movement — centered on connecting interiors to the natural world — is reshaping stone specification. Designers are reaching for richly veined quartzite, fossilized limestone, and live-edge stone details to bring raw natural energy indoors. Expect textured, organic surfaces to dominate new construction and high-end renovation projects through 2026.
Outdoor Kitchens Remain a Top Priority:
Florida's year-round outdoor lifestyle continues to fuel one of the region's strongest surface categories. Porcelain pavers, frost-resistant quartzite, and UV-stable engineered stone are the go-to specifications for outdoor countertops, cladding, and alfresco dining surfaces. Demand from the Gulf Coast market shows no sign of plateauing.
Fluted & Reeded Stone Profiles Surge
Fluted stone panels — once reserved for bespoke millwork applications — are now appearing on kitchen islands, bathroom vanity fronts, and fireplace surrounds across all price tiers. The tactile dimension adds architectural Interest that flat slab applications cannot Replicate, and Tampa Bay designers are embracing it enthusiastically.
Warm Tones Cement Their Lead
Florida's year-round outdoor lifestyle continues to fuel one of the region's strongest surface categories. Porcelain pavers, frost-resistant quartzite, and UV-stable engineered stone are the go-to specifications for outdoor countertops, cladding, and alfresco dining surfaces. Demand from the Gulf Coast market shows no sign of plateauing.
Bold Veining Over Quiet Minimalism
The understated grey-on-grey aesthetic that defined the last decade is giving way to dramatic, statement-making slabs — bold black veining on white backgrounds, sweeping gold movement across ivory fields, and deep jewel-toned quartzite bookmatched for maximum visual impact. Clients are asking for surfaces that make a statement.
Large-Format Porcelain Showers Take Over
Homeowners and designers are increasingly ditching traditional tile grids in favor of large-format porcelain panels for shower walls and floors. Minimal grout lines mean a cleaner, more seamless look that is also easier to maintain. Oversized slabs in full slab formats are now among the most requested applications in Tampa Bay bathroom remodels — and Granite Plus is seeing this demand grow month over month.
WORKPLACE SAFETY UPDATE: GRANITE PLUS & USF AIR QUALITY PARTNERSHIP
Our partnership with the University of South Florida continues to yield meaningful results. Phase One air sampling across our St. Petersburg fabrication facility — encompassing cutting, grinding, finishing, and polishing stations — has been completed, with USF researchers currently analyzing particulate data. Preliminary findings confirm that our wet-cutting protocols and ventilation systems are performing as designed. Full results will be shared with our team and used to drive continued improvements in dust suppression, PPE standards, and facility airflow. Phase Two testing, which will include extended personal air monitoring for individual fabrication technicians, is scheduled to begin in May.
Granite Plus remains the only stone fabrication facility in the Tampa Bay area with an active, independently conducted air quality research program. This is not simply a regulatory compliance exercise — it is a statement of our values. The health of every person in our building matters, and science-driven transparency is how we demonstrate that commitment.