Products
Outdoor Living: Hot & Trending in Natural Stone, With Faber CNK Stone
As the summer sun heats up, so does the excitement for refreshing backyard makeovers. This pool season, we’re diving into the latest trends in outdoor living, guided by insights from Eli Olivarez, Sales Manager at Faber CNK Stone. Renowned for its premium travertine, marble, and tile selections, Faber CNK Stone are one of the firms elevating the standard in today’s luxurious outdoor living spaces.
Faber CNK Stone is a renowned supplier of natural stone products, specializing in travertine, marble, stacked stone, and tile. “We originated in Turkey, which is where all of our material comes from,” Olivarez shares. The company has been a significant player in the U.S. market for eight years, starting in Houston, Texas, and expanding to multiple locations across the state.
Turkey’s dominance in the natural stone market is not by chance. Olivarez explains, “Almost 70% of the travertine and marble we have here in the United States is produced in Turkey. The minerals in the Earth are a lot richer in that area, creating vibrant colors and higher quality material.” This natural richness results in denser stone with fewer pits, making it a preferred choice for builders and homeowners alike.
While natural stone surely has its pros and cons, the primary draw, especially with products like travertine and marble, lies in their timeless beauty and durability. “When you think of travertine and marble, it’s just the fact that you’ve taken a piece of a mountain or a quarry halfway around the world and you’re bringing that into your backyard,” Olivarez notes. The natural imperfections and rich colors of these stones add an unmatched aesthetic that synthetic materials simply can’t replicate.
Olivarez discussed the unique appeal of natural stone, stating, “Its unique imperfections are the very reason why natural stone is so beautiful.” These organic variations give marble and travertine its distinct character and charm, making it highly desirable for many homeowners. He emphasized that this quality “plays a big role” in its popularity. In comparison to concrete decks, which develop visible cracks over time, natural stone offers a more resilient and aesthetically pleasing option.
Olivarez explained that today’s cutting-edge installation methods employed by contractors contribute to the product’s durability. “When you’re dealing with natural stone and the way our contractors are setting it, they’re using a sand and gravel base. This material has the ability to shift with the movement of the Earth, therefore, you don’t have a bunch of cracks running down your decking.” This flexibility, combined with its inherent beauty, is why natural stone remains a top choice. “Travertine and marble are so popular because they stand the test of time and maintain their stunning appearance,” he adds.
Current trends in outdoor living spaces emphasize modern, contemporary looks. This has driven demand for larger format tiles and unique finishes. Olivarez explains, “When you talk contemporary… today’s high-end homeowners are leaning towards large format. They want something that flows, something that just runs all together.” Faber CNK Stone has responded by offering a variety of large-format options, from 24×24 to 24×36 sizes, which are becoming increasingly popular.
“Platinum Ice is probably by far one of our hottest sellers right now,” according to Olivarez, “It’s a new material that we just brought in about six months ago.” This unique product is a sandblasted marble with a Bush-hammered finish. The distinctive white marble, adorned with black veining, captures the classic marble aesthetic that many customers are seeking. “That particular material is moving” quickly as it meets the demand for a striking yet elegant look in outdoor spaces.
Another top product is the Bianco Royale marble, described as “probably one of the purest, whitest marbles you’re going to find out there.” Unlike other marbles, which often show color variations such as blue, black, or red, the Bianco Royale boasts a solid white color, offering a pristine and beautiful finish. Additionally, the Gray Pearl sandblasted marble is highly popular. “It’s sandblasted white marble with blue rays within it. And when you wet it, because it’s sandblasted, when you wet this material, the color just pops out of it.” This vibrancy and the material’s ability to illuminate everything around it make it a sought-after choice for many homeowners.
Texture and finish are also key considerations in choosing stone. “When it comes to natural stone, tumbled finishes are trending, offering a clean look,” Olivarez explains. When advising homeowners on updating their backyards, Olivarez stresses the importance of having a clear vision and prioritizing safety and durability. “Once you begin to do your material selections. At this stage in the process, it’s important to think of safety as well as how well the materials you choose will hold up in harsh weather,” he advises. For families, sandblasted materials offer a practical and beautiful solution, providing necessary traction and enhancing the overall aesthetic of the space.
Faber CNK Stone is also focusing on the growing trend of retaining walls and water features. “Retaining walls and water features are like an exclamation point for someone’s backyard,” says Olivarez. Their stack stone and mosaic pieces add character and beauty, with modern designs like the 6×24 plank and 3D home stack stone gaining popularity for their unique looks.
In the realm of outdoor living, Turkish travertine and marble stand out for their exceptional blend of durability, aesthetic allure, and practical benefits. Faber CNK Stone is leading the way by offering a large range of options that perfectly embody these qualities. Known for its robustness, Turkish natural stone excels in high-traffic areas and withstands the test of time. Its warm, natural hues and unique textures bring an elegant charm to any space, from pool decks to patios. Not only does the stone provide excellent slip resistance and temperature regulation, but it also boasts low maintenance requirements, making it a practical choice for homeowners.
With a wide range of unique products to create a multitude of different looks both in and out of your home, Faber CNK Stone is an ideal source for creating stunning, functional outdoor environments. This pool season is all about bringing natural beauty and modern elegance to your backyard. Thanks for checking in with Pool Magazine to see what’s hot and trending this season. We hope you’ve found inspiration for your next outdoor project.
Water Tech Corp, manufacturer of the popular Volt line of battery-powered handheld pool and spa vacuums, offers compact and versatile point-of-purchase displays designed to fit virtually anywhere on the retail floor.
Built from sturdy corrugated cardboard, the displays ship flat and assemble quickly — no tools required. Two configurations are available: one designed specifically for the Volt Leaf Vac and one showcasing the Volt FX-Series. Each display features dedicated product slots that invite customers to pick up and handle the units, letting the lightweight, easy-to-use design speak for itself.
Perfectly suited for checkout areas and high-traffic zones, the displays are built to drive impulse, cash-and-carry sales. Coordinating product boxes can be arranged around each display to create a cohesive, eye-catching retail presentation.
To find out how you could add one of these eye-catching, brightly colored displays to your retail store this season, contact [email protected].
City/State: E. Brunswick, NJ
Website: www.watertechcorp.com
Phone: 800-298-8800
Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/watertech_pros/#
https://www.facebook.com/watertechcorpNJ/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/watertechcorp/
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWatertechCorp
About Water Tech Corp:
Water Tech Corp is the manufacturer of the original Pool Blaster handheld battery powered pool cleaner as well as the powerful Volt and Precision battery powered pool cleaners on the market today. Water Tech has been a part of the pool and spa industry now for 25 years after being founded by Guy Erlich in 2001 in an apartment building in New York City. Water Tech has always been focused on patented-technologies and designs that have allowed Water Tech to succeed in the very competitive pool and spa cleaner arena. With 19 different US patents on pool and spa cleaners alone and more to come, Water Tech has been able to use its intellectual property and unique product designs to systematically ensure its success in the marketplace. In fact, between 2005 and the present date, Water Tech has received the “Pool & Spa News & Readers’ Choice Award” for “Best New Product” approximately seven (7) times.
The company now operates out of a large facility in E. Brunswick, NJ with more than 20,000 square foot of space. Water Tech has a reputation for bringing innovative, reliable products to our industry, designed specifically to meet the needs of consumers, service professionals and retailers in the swimming pool and spa market.
A new innovation in pool maintenance is changing how technicians collect water samples for testing. The BackSaver2000, a newly developed water collection device, is designed to improve both sampling accuracy and workplace safety for pool professionals.
Traditionally, pool technicians collect water samples by kneeling or bending over the pool edge with a cup, a method that can lead to repeated strain on the back and knees. The BackSaver2000 eliminates this issue by allowing technicians to collect water easily while standing, significantly reducing the physical stress associated with the outdated conventional method.
Beyond ergonomics, the BackSaver2000 was scientifically tested to ensure the integrity of water samples. Results show that the device collects equal to or less surface water contamination compared to traditional collection methods, helping ensure more reliable water quality testing.
Designed specifically for the demands of the pool service industry, the BackSaver2000 combines a telescoping handle with a collapsible collection cup to make sampling faster, safer, and more efficient. By reducing repetitive strain injuries, companies can also benefit from fewer work-related injuries and potentially lower workers’ compensation claims.
The BackSaver2000 is poised to become an essential tool for pool technicians, offering a smarter and healthier way to collect water samples while maintaining testing accuracy.
For more information about the BackSaver2000, contact your local distributor or visit the product website: backsaver2000.com.
Beatbot has been gaining serious traction in the robotic pool cleaner space with its AquaSense and Sora lines, establishing itself as a legitimate contender in a category long dominated by legacy brands. Now, the company is making a calculated move into robotic pool skimmers with the launch of the iSkim and iSkim Ultra, bringing a layered approach to the category and offering two distinct tiers that target very different types of pool owners.
Why Robotic Skimmers Are Gaining Momentum
Surface debris has always been one of the most persistent pain points in pool maintenance. Leaves, pollen, bugs, grass clippings, and fine dust collect on the surface long before they ever make it to the floor. Once they sink, they’re harder to remove, placing more strain on filtration systems and robotic cleaners.
Robotic skimmers aim to solve that problem at the source—continuously patrolling the waterline and removing debris before it becomes a bigger issue. Solar-powered designs have made this category even more appealing, allowing for extended runtimes with minimal user intervention.
That’s the opportunity Beatbot is leaning into.
Beatbot iSkim: Built for Continuous Surface Cleaning
The iSkim is positioned as the more accessible entry point into Beatbot’s skimmer lineup, but it still brings a solid feature set designed for real-world pool conditions.
At its core is a large 9-liter debris basket, giving it the capacity to handle significant surface load without constant emptying. That matters in environments where leaves and organic debris are a daily occurrence. The unit is designed for continuous operation, powered by a solar panel and backed by a 10,000mAh battery, with manufacturer claims of up to 28 hours of runtime without sunlight.
From a mechanical standpoint, the iSkim uses a three-motor system, including dual motor propulsion. That means it’s actively driving itself across the pool surface using two independent propulsion motors, allowing it to steer and reposition rather than simply drifting. Navigation is handled through a combination of basic sensors and random movement with smart rerouting.
It also includes features that are quickly becoming standard in the category: app integration, scheduled cleaning, smart automatic parking, one-click app parking, and an anti-spill basket design with one-click debris release.
Where the iSkim keeps things simple is in its cleaning approach. It focuses on broad surface coverage rather than precision navigation, making it a strong fit for homeowners who want a set-it-and-forget-it solution that runs long and handles the bulk of surface debris without complication.
- Less Emptying, More Pool Time. Extra-large 9L pool skimmer filter basket, larger than standard skimmers with a 29×270mm wide inlet that captures all debris, from fine particles to large debris, for extended and uninterrupted cleaning with less maintenance.
- Engineered for Longer Cleaning Cycles. The 24W solar panel keeps the 10,000mAh battery charged, providing up to 28 hours of runtime even in no-light conditions, so your pool stays clean longer with fewer interruption, even on cloudy days.
- Full Surface Coverage: with 2 guided wheels, iSkim skimmer reaches walls and tight corrners for complete coverage, keeping your pool consistently clean with minimal effort. No missed spots on your pool surface.
- Saltwater-Safe & 3-Year Protection: Fully saltwater-safe (NaCl < 5000 ppm) and corrosion-resistant. Backed by 3-year protection, 30-day free returns, and 365-day availability, giving you long-term reliability and peace of mind for your premium pool investment.
- Smart Water-Surface parking: automatically returns and holds at the surface for 10 minutes after each cycle, plus one-tap app recall to the pool edge, making removal quick and easy. No heavy lifting or retrieval hassle.
Beatbot iSkim Ultra: A Step Into Smart Surface Care
The iSkim Ultra takes a very different approach. While it shares the same 9-liter basket and 10,000mAh battery platform, everything else about the unit pushes it into a higher tier.
This model is built around a seven-motor system and a 20-sensor array, dramatically increasing its ability to navigate, detect obstacles, and clean with intention rather than randomness. Instead of relying on passive coverage, the iSkim Ultra uses an S-path cleaning pattern, allowing it to systematically cover the pool surface.
One of the biggest hardware upgrades is the addition of dual-side brushes and an expanded wheel system, which improve its ability to reach edges and corners—areas where surface debris tends to accumulate but where many skimmers struggle.
The Ultra also introduces environmental awareness features, including water temperature detection, along with voice broadcast capabilities for system status updates. These additions reinforce its positioning as a connected, smart device rather than just a cleaning tool.
But the standout feature—and the one that truly separates it from the base model—is the integrated water clarification system. The iSkim Ultra can actively contribute to water quality by dispensing clarifying agents, helping improve water appearance while it performs surface cleaning. That moves it beyond simple debris removal and into a more holistic surface-care role.
Charging is also upgraded, with the Ultra supporting magnetic wireless charging in addition to solar and adapter-based charging.
- 【Unmatched 2-Year Full-Unit Coverage: Rest easy with an industry-leading protection plan that replaces the entire unit rather than requiring repairs—drastically reducing downtime so your pool stays consistently clean.
- 【Meet the iSkim Ultra – The First Intelligent Robotic Pool Skimmer Engineered for Superior Cleaning & Control】: This groundbreaking skimmer uses advanced smart-cleaning tech for pristine water via full surface coverage and powerful debris removal. Control navigation, speed, and schedules from your phone with real-time voice alerts.
- 【Intuitive App Control with Real-Time Voice Alerts】: Seamless app integration lets you adjust cleaning paths, boost speed, set schedules, and monitor water temp or progress remotely. One-tap auto-return simplifies docking, and OTA updates ensure peak performance—all with clear voice notifications.
- 【Precision Navigation & Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance】:Powered by a 120 MHz MCU, 20 precision sensors, and pioneering tri-ultrasonic technology, it delivers accurate scanning, optimized pathfinding, and exceptional stability in any pool environment.
- 【Next-Level Debris Collection & Full-Coverage Cleaning】:Innovative rotating dual-side brushes sweep debris inward to eliminate scatter, ensuring thorough edge and corner pickup. An extra-large front roller brush handles large debris while expanding coverage for efficient one-pass cleaning.
Where Beatbot Fits in the Market
The robotic skimmer category is no longer niche. Brands like Aiper, WYBOT, Dolphin, and Betta have already proven there’s demand for automated surface cleaning, especially in markets where debris load is high and homeowners want to reduce manual maintenance.
Beatbot’s entry stands out because it doesn’t just compete on price or basic functionality. Instead, it introduces a clearer segmentation within its own lineup.
The iSkim targets homeowners who want reliable, continuous surface cleaning with long runtime and minimal complexity. The iSkim Ultra targets a different buyer—someone looking for smarter navigation, better edge performance, and additional water care features.
That distinction matters, because one of the biggest challenges in this category has been bridging the gap between simple floating skimmers and truly intelligent systems.
The Bigger Picture for Pool Automation
What Beatbot is doing here mirrors a broader trend across the pool industry: moving toward specialized, connected devices that each handle a specific part of pool care.
Instead of relying on a single piece of equipment to do everything, homeowners are increasingly building out systems—one robot for floors and walls, another for surface cleaning, and potentially additional tools for water monitoring and treatment.
With the addition of iSkim and iSkim Ultra, Beatbot is positioning itself to be part of that ecosystem conversation, not just as a cleaner manufacturer but as a broader automation player.
Final Thoughts
The launch of iSkim and iSkim Ultra signals that Beatbot is serious about expanding beyond traditional robotic cleaners and into a more complete pool-care lineup.
The iSkim delivers what many pool owners are looking for: long runtime, large capacity, and consistent surface cleaning without added complexity. The iSkim Ultra, on the other hand, pushes the category forward with smarter navigation, improved edge performance, and integrated water clarification.
Together, they give Beatbot a foothold in one of the most active segments in pool automation—and set the stage for even more competition in the robotic skimmer space moving forward.
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