Stone-dust composite flooring—commonly called dolmaru—is popping up in living rooms. Influenced by hotel-style interiors that favor a luxurious, airy vibe, homeowners are increasingly craving natural-stone patterns and textures. Made by compressing limestone (calcium carbonate) powder with polymer resin under high heat and pressure, this synthetic flooring is officially known as SPC (stone plastic composite). It's regarded as the third generation of flooring, following PVC, wood-based products, and marble.
Beyond the hotel-inspired trend, dolmaru's rise comes down to a few things: the appetite for fresh flooring materials, the ability to recreate a wide range of stone patterns, and strong durability paired with easy installation.
Its biggest selling point is the freedom to mimic many stone types—from limestone and marble to granite and schist. As hotel-style interiors influence everyday homes, buyers increasingly prefer the look and feel of high-end natural stone. Yet dolmaru usually costs roughly half as much as natural marble, making it an attractive substitute.
Because it's a composite, manufacturers can produce very wide rectangular or square panels measuring 5m–10m (16.4–32.8 ft), evoking the look of massive stone slabs. That scale makes it popular not only for living room floors but also for feature walls.
An industry source said on the 14th, "Cut-and-paste installation is easier than with natural stone or tile. It also resists damage, staining, and moisture better than stone, wood, or PVC products." The source added, "Producers apply 3D embossing that aligns visual patterns with tactile contours to deliver a natural surface texture and depth comparable to real stone."
Domestic makers have launched SPC products and ramped up marketing over the past year or two to grow the market. Examples include LX Hausys's Editon Stone, Hyundai L&C's Arton, and KCC Glass's Prestige Stone. Industry insiders say dolmaru sales have climbed this year; LX reported first-quarter sales up 80% from a year earlier.
Hyundai L&C said, "The combination of luxurious, varied stone patterns, user convenience, and ease of installation has made this product popular in the remodeling market. It's an ideal choice for anyone seeking a distinctive interior." Reporter Jo Mun-sul
