If you want to upgrade your flooring and add a touch of class to it, granite tiles are a great option. They have been popular for decades now due to their beauty and durability. If you’re thinking about adding these beautiful stones to your home, here are a few things you ought to know:
What Are Granite Tiles?
How is granite formed?
Granite is an igneous rock made from magma that cools and solidifies underground in a high-pressure process. Sourced from quarries around the world, cutting equipment drills holes around it in shallow points in the earth to create transportable blocks. Blasting engineers then place explosives in the holes to generate a blast just strong enough to separate the granite from its location but not destroy it. Cranes then lift the blocks and load them into trucks to take them to a stone-cutting facility where they will become granite slabs or tiles. Source: Hunker
What are the types of granite tiles?
Since this natural stone is especially durable, it’s suitable for most settings. Whether your purpose is commercial or residential, high or low traffic, granite tile will perform exceptionally well. Note that each style has its strengths.
- Polished granite: A smart choice for kitchen counters due to its ability to withstand the heat of cooking materials, it’s also suited for wall cladding, vanity tops, and decorative objects due to its lustrous sheen. Finally, it’s great for heavy traffic indoor flooring due to its strong resistance. Leathered granite is great for these applications as well.
- Honed granite: Often used for high traffic commercial flooring due to its durability and lack of shine, it also functions well for sidewalks and other outdoors areas with heavy foot traffic. This finish is also popular for bathroom applications.
- Brushed granite: Along with being used for kitchen counters, this type is great for many outdoor applications, including decks, sidewalks, curb stones, and outdoor furniture. Source: BuildDirect
How to maintain granite tiles?
Granite floors can show signs of wear and tear fairly easily if they’re not cleaned regularly. Dirt, sand and other abrasive debris can sit on the surface and be ground into the stone when household members walk across the floor, causing scratches. Use a soft, dry mop or a vacuum cleaner with an attachment for bare floors to remove dirt, dust and other debris regularly. If a spill occurs on your granite floor, clean it immediately as you would on a countertop with warm water and dish-washing liquid if necessary. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate
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