Granite for Your Kitchen Backsplash Tiles
Granite is a useful choice for kitchen countertops and backsplashes because of its durability. It is the toughest of all natural stones; in fact, it is one of the toughest rocks in the world, right after diamonds, sapphires, and rubies -- all of which would be too expensive for kitchen use! It is unlikely to chip or be marked by heat, excellent traits for a kitchen material. Even pans heated to 900 degrees Fahrenheit will not hurt granite!
The natural beauty of granite makes it a great material for the kitchen, an area where the family spends a lot of time. Granite is made of the molten material below the earth's crust. As it cools and hardens, it develops a beautiful crystalline structure. Granite is composed of feldspar and quartz, with small amounts of mica and other minerals like sphene, ilmenite, and apatite.
These different elements account for the many different shades of granite as well as for its lovely patterns and speckles. There are actually hundreds of granite colors available, ranging from pinks and peaches through shades of gray to charcoal and black. You're sure to fine a wonderful granite for your kitchen! Presently, black, gold, and green granite are the most popular colors.
Granite can be burnished to a glittering shine or given a rough, earthy surface. The finishes are technically called polished, honed, flamed, and brushed. A polished surface is flat and smooth, with a shiny look that reflects plenty of light. This finish is frequently employed for decorative objects as well as countertops and kitchen backsplashes. A honed finish is also quite smooth, but it has a matte look and reflects less light. Both polished and honed finishes are simple to maintain, which makes them an excellent choice in the kitchen. Flamed and brushed surfaces have a rather rough surface and are typically used where some traction is needed. Using two or more finishes in kitchen backsplash tiles can create a pattern that is both natural and arty.
There usually are natural variations in color and patterning in every group of granite tiles. Lay out your tiles on a level work area and experiment with different arrangements to take advantage of the differences. The gentle changes in shade and patterning can be used for a marvelous overall effect. You'll love the look you get with granite kitchen backsplash tiles!
Published by Lou Paun
HouseHuzzy loves everything to do with houses -- especially renovating and redecorating thim! View profile
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1 Comments
Post a CommentI want to do my back splash with the granite used on the counter - but put a mosaic border in the middle for the back splash running horizontally around the whole kitchen. Is this impossible because of the different thicknesses?