Granite Flooring
Granite flooring makes a statement in your home, unlike many other flooring options. You can go with a slab or granite tile flooring. To make a dramatic statement, decorating with black granite flooring is the path to take. Your granite flooring design can incorporate different sizes, shapes and colors of granite, or possibly smooth and rough granite flooring pieces combined into an overall design. It's durable and beautiful -- just the thing for some people.
Granite is a natural stone that is commonly used in floorings. Over the course of the last ten years, the use of granite for the home and office has increased. The value of granite is one reason; its beauty is another. But, probably the most common reason that people are using it more is simply because it is more available.
Granite's durability is much higher than that of marble, slate or other stones. And, it provides just as much in beauty, if not more.
Where's It Come From?
Granite is made from quartz, feldspar and mica crystals that are solidified into stone. These particles are very fine and densely packed. Granite can form from several processes most commonly from the volcanic activity in the area or through metamorphic geological activity. Through time and pressure, we get the substance known as granite. Commonly it is used in flooring, countertops, in bathroom fixtures and in many other locations.
When you purchase granite flooring you can purchase a large slab of stone which is the ideal way to purchase it for in front of a fireplace for instance or you can purchase it cut into tiles. It's laid much like tile is. Granite tile flooring is cut into tile like shapes to make it easier to work with and install.
Installation of granite flooring is best done by professionals. If you are a handy person, you can do it for yourself as long as you are equipped with the right tools. Also, you will want to insure that you have the proper skill. If granite flooring is installed incorrectly, it can chip or even work split ruining it. A sealant is most often applied to protect the granite. Grout is laid after the sealant has cured to allow for an easier application as well as one with fewer problems to it.
In Your Home
There are many reasons to use granite flooring in your home. Its construction and durability help it withstand stains and deterioration. Also, it is strikingly beautiful. When choosing the granite tile flooring for your home, you want to pay close attention to the design that you are after. Decorating with black granite flooring creates an elegance and sophistication not found in other granites or stone floorings. Granite flooring design can be very versatile because the tiles can be cut into various shapes. And, patterns can be laid fairly easily.
Texture is another consideration in granite flooring. Rough granite flooring is an excellent choice but ensure it provides the look and feel that you want. Some types of granite can be sanded to tone down the roughness as well. Granite flooring can be purchased both used and new. It can be flooring that lasts a lifetime.
For a very different look in your home or office, consider granite flooring.
Do granite floors require a lot of upkeep. We are building a timber frame home that has about 3000 sq feet on the main floor - our goal is rustic elegant style. I am not a big fan of carpet because of the dirt but would add area rugs in strategic places and possibly carpet in the bedrooms. We really like the hickory cabinets we have in our current home so would consider this as a flooring options. The floor plan is very open so I am concerned that using the same material throughout would be too drab. Perhaps a tile or granite in the kitchen and back entry. We currently have tile and I just HATE the problems with the grout so I want to keep any grout in the new home to a minimum. We are also interested in heated floors but I am not sure how that would work with wood floors. What are your thoughts?
Midwest Nancy at February 19, 2009 10:05 AMHi Nancy!
Heated wood floors works. Tile grout can be sealed - helps keep it cleaner and easier to clean. I can understand your concerns with having a 'drab' interior by going with the wood flooring throughout, but look at it this way: sometimes, elegance can be found in simplicity. Adding area rugs will certainly break up the monotony and give you options for finding rugs with neat themes/color schemes.
Granite floors don't require any more upkeep than any other floor - they all require upkeep. If it's polished granite (not polished as in 'floor polish'), it should be easy to maintain.
The Flooring Lady at February 19, 2009 11:19 AMI have a big problem with my granite floor in my living room at home. I was surprise to see my floor absorbing water during the cold season and dries up during summer. What should I do?
Riz at September 8, 2009 5:43 PMRiz,
I have never come across a granite floor that absorbs and dries up. It does however sound like an issue with the sealant. I recommend Aquamix as it is a good sealant. If the warranty is still applicable on installation or the stone I would contact the manufacturer as well.
The Flooring Lady at September 10, 2009 1:23 PMRiz, you don't say what kind of subfloor your granite is installed on, and whether the room is a ground-level room or above grade, like on the second floor. I don't have granite floors but a neighbor has sandstone floors and had similar problems -- until they put a French drain in around their house and put a vapor barrier down in their crawl space.
Mark Jude at September 11, 2009 2:21 PMI see TheFloorLady.com has a series of articles along that line -- vapor barriers -- why don't you take a look there?
My granite floor has been down for almost 10 years. Several years ago it started to form bubbles or raised areas just under the top layer of the tile. What is causing this and can I stop it. It is quite extensive now and hope you have some remedy.
Doreen at November 5, 2009 11:11 AMI am trying to find out what kind of flooring is in a building that I am cleaning (commercial cleaning) it looks like a really nice black polished granite, 1 foot square tiles. There was a ton of construction dust left on it, we cleaned that off, but there is still a very filmy/cloudy look to some of it, and there are some areas that look like the contractor that installed it let carpet glue get on it. IN a few other places, it looks like there are permanently cloudy areas that won't clean off. We've tried neutral cleaner, non-ammoniated glass cleaner, clear water, Stone-logix cleaner, with no luck. I don't want to lose this customer. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Kyle
Kyle at November 5, 2009 3:32 PMDear Sir,
Hello!
This is Dora Chen from Xiamen Longxinyuan Import & Export Co., Ltd. We know that you are a importer of stone product, and we hope to be your direct supplier.
We offer a wide range of stone products,mainly in granie/marble tiles, floorings, pavers, steps, tub-surround, slabs, countertops, vanity tops,mosaic, fireplace sink and some others.
We own the granite quarries of: G602, G603, G640, G654, G683, G684, and two new quarries of this year:Crystal Gold and Crystal Silver. We also offer those imported granite/marble with reasonable price.
We are confident to help you to reduce the cost with our favourable price on the basis of good quality.
Pls view our website:www(dot)longxinyuan(dot)com
Reply me and I will send our pricelist for your reference.
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Regards,
Dora Chen
Dora Chen at November 6, 2009 7:56 PM2009-11-07
Doreen,
Since granite is a stone tile, I would think that the bubbles/raised areas are from the sealer applied to the granite.
If they need to be removed, the sealer would be removed and the stone resealed.
However, you may want to have the floor looked at by a professional in your area to determine why the sealer is bubbling, and if there is any other problem that need to be addressed.
The Flooring Lady at November 9, 2009 2:14 PMKyle,
A vinegar and water solution of 1:15 parts is a mild, effective cleaner to try. It may take a couple times to remove it.
Another possibility would be to buff the floors and see if it improves the condition.
The Flooring Lady at November 10, 2009 11:46 AM