Elegant Granite Floors and Flooring Styles!

July 22, 2010

Granite

Granite is a versatile and unique material that can be used in all types of locations. Granite floors can be found in walkways, lobbies, and halls in both commercial and residential buildings. This material has a very high aesthetic appeal, making it a popular choice for both property owners and construction contractors. The granite look can be imitated, but its strength and durability cannot be matched.

Granite tiles also create a professional atmosphere. Their stability and strength is a popular choice for hallways, foyers, and other areas that have a lot of public use. In residential homes, granite flooring can add a distinguished design to the area. It is characterized by a high-end, unique beauty, while also complementing the surrounding décor.

Marble, granite, and similar products have seen a 2,000 percent growth in the last ten years. There is no doubt that homeowners have realized the advantages of granite that commercial builders have already known for some time. Aside from flooring, it can also be used for back splashes, counter tops, platforms, and fireplace surrounds.

All granite products contain traces of feldspar, mica crystals, and quartz. These minerals are added during the cooling process of hot magma to solid stone. The quartz in the granite gives it incredible hardness and durability characteristics, making it much stronger than marble. Other minerals can affect the color and grade of the stone. When you see granite with varying colors and hues it is the result of different mixes of minerals. In fact, no two granite pieces are exactly alike because each of them has a unique blend of minerals, giving the stone distinct colors and hues.

Because granite is a completely natural product, it holds a large amount of stain resistant properties. Marble floors are much more porous than granite which makes them easier to stain. Common liquids found in households like shampoo, orange juice, and nail polish remover can cause serious stains on some marbles. Even water can affect the color if it is left sitting for too long. But you will not have to worry about this with granite flooring because it can resist almost all staining liquids except for lime acid.

Like with any other floor, granite should be cleaned and maintained regularly to keep it in pristine condition. The gloss should also be wax and buffed every few months so the protective layer can last longer. The floor may also need to be resealed once a year to prevent liquids from entering.

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