One of the uses of granite stone and tiles is for flooring, though the slippery surface might be one of the disadvantages, but still, the resistance and durability of the stone might be worth it. Natural stone floors have long been considered a luxurious material, and it has adorned the lobbies and lobbies of buildings, from mansions to exclusive hotels and skyscrapers, but only because choices such as marble, limestone, or granite have unique uses. That does not mean that they do not fit in well with your home. These beautiful and durable materials are some of the hardest and longest-lasting flooring options you can choose from, and one of the most popular options is granite. Granite is a series of natural stones made of cooled lava underground. This time-consuming and high-pressure process produces granite stones.
It is an igneous rock, mostly solid and strong. Although commonly associated with countertops, granite is still a perfect flooring material. If you are looking for something beautiful and durable that will be an investment in your home and your property, then granite is perfect for you. But that does not mean it does not have disadvantages. Granite floors provide a mood and atmosphere of opulence, and their beauty surpasses most other tile materials. It is a bit expensive and heavy so experts have to install it. As a natural stone product, it is environmentally friendly. It is not as porous as marble, and sealing is not necessary if used in a moisture-proof area. It is harder and more stain resistant than any other flooring material such as marble.
Granite flooring disadvantages
When people talk about granite stone flooring, its advantages, and its disadvantages, they usually talk about granite tiles. These granite tiles are made by processing igneous rock (volcanic) until the surface is smooth. The smoothing process also brings out the hidden beauty in the rock. However, beauty is only one of the benefits of granite floor tiles but with all the advantages there are also disadvantages that are mentioned below: The difficulty of installation: Granite is the most expensive flooring material to install compared to other options. Granite floors are expensive due to the cost of stone and the difficulty of installation. If you want the best result, you should not try to lay granite floors yourself. Before laying tiles, your installer must make sure that the floor is exactly level. The heavyweight of granite: Granite wall tiles are a great choice for your home floor. Before laying the floor, however, you should have it checked by an expert to see if it can carry the weight. Because a square foot of granite weighs about 12.8 pounds, and a 1.28-inch slab weighs about 18 pounds. Some floors may not hold the weight of granite.
Maintenance: According to some people, granite is difficult to clean and maintain. It does not help that there is a lot of conflicting information on the internet about how to care for granite floors and countertops. Expensive for flooring: Since granite floors are both beautiful and durable, they can be expensive to lay. Installing high-quality granite floor tiles in small areas like bathrooms can cost at least a few thousand dollars. Slippery: The high-gloss finish on granite floors creates a smooth surface that can cause catastrophic damage from slipping and falling, especially for children and especially old people. Resealing: You will need to reseal your granite surface from time to time to keep it looking shiny and attractive.
Granite tiles
Builders and decorators have relied on granite for its beauty, strength, and quality for centuries. The popularity of these stones and tiles in homes and businesses has increased over the last decade. Granite stone, especially in kitchens, has been the design standard for homes for many years. Granite is defined as an igneous rock with a quartz content of 20% or more. This popular stone has a unique look and texture in its natural state, but once cut and polished, it can be used as a smooth surface like any other stone. Granite floors are classified as natural tiles and the demand for this natural tile has increased due to its durability and flexibility. Natural stone granite is one of the hardest materials on earth, second only to diamond in resistance. The density and durability of granite make this stone very resistant to damage and wear as it contains quartz, mica, and feldspar. These materials are spread out over the stone and they have a crystal clear look in natural and artificial light. Stone is non-porous, so granite is a natural protector against fungus and mold. It is also easy to clean as the stone will not absorb or in any way react with the chemicals used to clean the surface or be exposed to corrosion. The fact that granite stones do not require any preservatives is an added benefit. In addition, granite edges can be cut precisely and available in many decorative shapes that add elegance to any room. Polished granite or marble tiles are an elegant and practical choice for fireplaces, basements, hallways, and kitchen and bathroom floor tiles or floors. Granite can vary in color from black to earthy brown, and it blends beautifully with the warm colors that are now trending in the home.
Marble vs granite flooring
Marble and granite are two popular natural stones that have been used in the construction industry and flooring for a long time. They all have their own advantages in terms of appearance, durability, etc. some of which are listed below, putting granite vs marble:
- Hardness and durability: Granite is harder and stronger than marble. It is often referred to as the most durable natural stone compared to marble. It is heat resistant and can easily withstand hot kitchen utensils, making it ideal for kitchen countertops.
- Marble also tends to fade and dull over time. Unlike stains that can be removed, passivated marble cannot regain its luster. This is an irreversible process and a major disadvantage of marble.
- Acids reaction: Both natural stones have a porous structure, but the metamorphic properties of marble make it more porous, so the marble is easily stained by spills, especially acidic liquids such as juice and wine.
- On the other hand, as long as an effective sealant is maintained on the surface, granite is more resistant to stains and spilled liquids will not penetrate into the surface.
- Appearance: Marble and granite have very different looks. The color change of granite can look like freckles throughout the stone because granite contains stones such as feldspar, mica, and amphibole.
- Marble, on the other hand, is gray or cream-colored with texture running through it. Texture in marble is often due to impurities such as iron oxide.
- Application: The durable qualities of granite make it suitable for kitchen worktops and hallways, where the feet move a lot, while marble is more suitable for areas with less traffic such as bathrooms.
- Marble has a bright and unique appearance and is suitable for less frequently used surfaces.
- Cost: Both granite and marble require professional installation because the slabs are heavy. The approximate cost of marble and granite is $ 50 to $ 100, but high-end granite is cheaper than marble.
Is granite flooring slippery
It is possible that using granite as flooring in certain unique places like the restrooms could be slippery and hazardous in some way. Granite, in particular, is particularly durable since it was created under conditions of high heat and intense pressure. Because it can withstand high temperatures without becoming brittle and is almost impossible to scratch, it is an excellent choice for flooring in bathrooms. If you have underfloor heating, natural stone can also serve as an effective insulator for your home. When the stones were wet, the results showed that they were smoother and more slippery, which was to be expected. However, in contrast to the findings of several earlier studies, the current group of researchers discovered that the roughness of the stone and the finish of the stone did not necessarily determine the smoothness of the stone. Granite, on the other hand, not only contains a high percentage of quartz but also becomes extremely hazardous when wet. This is because the abrasive treatment of granite causes the other minerals that normally compose the rock to be easily removed. Granite or ceramic tiles, on the other hand, produce a surface that is virtually completely impervious to the penetration of liquids. Even liquids that remain still will not cause damage to your floor. In order to avoid slipping and falling, it is imperative that standing liquids be wiped up as soon as they are discovered. When wet, polished granite surfaces have the potential to become hazardously slippery. The following actions are recommended to be taken in order to make the granite less slippery:
- Be sure you pick the appropriate surface finish.
- The presence of surface grooves
- Clear non-slip paint or adhesive tape
- Slip-resistant granite with a sandblasted finish
- Use a bullnose to bring the edges up higher (for granite stairs).
- Carpeting should be placed over the granite stone to reduce the possibility of a fall.
Granite floors in kitchen
The granite stones used in kitchen and bathroom floors come in a variety of colors and are suitable for almost any interior design style, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to create a mix of styles. If you are looking for a mixed-style aesthetic, granite flooring is the right choice for you. When you choose the right color for your granite floor and choose the right model with the same care, you can make the places you want to appear bigger and more open than they really are. These types of floors are often used in small spaces to create more open spaces. When talking about big spaces, pay attention to things that are handled in small areas. Otherwise, the large space you have can become a crowded and annoying space. Along with the mentioned factors in choosing the right flooring material, the kitchen floors must have the following factors as well:
- Color and design: One of the popular colors in the kitchen, especially among housewives, is bright colors. There are various reasons for this choice. The color is, of course, entirely a personal matter and preference.
- Resistant to detergents and acids.
- Shock and scratch resistant.
- Easy to clean.
- Do not absorb stains (stain resistant).
The high resistance of the granite stone to wear and scratches makes it one of the most suitable options for the kitchen. Granite stones are very alkali resistant and you will not see any yellow spots on these stone tiles and slabs. In addition, granite has high impact resistance and low water absorption, and the appearance of granite stone is also very attractive, which can bring special attraction to your kitchen.
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