Granite Tile Floors Dos and Don'ts

A Guide for the Installation and Care of Granite in Residences and Commercial Spaces

Rob Jones
The production of granite has been millions of years in the making, made by the greatest manufacturer there is - the earth itself. Granite tile and slabs are both a decorative and practical choice, making your choice of granite both a stylish and smart one indeed! Due to its hardness, its resistance to heat and other forms of stress, as well as the versatility which is offered by granite tile, you are making an investment that will add value to your property and one which will be the source of a tremendous pride of ownership.

Here are a few things to think about when you are considering granite tile for your project:


DO:

1. Consider the area where you intend to install granite tile. Make sure that factors such as moisture levels, foot traffic, and slip resistance are carefully considered.

2. Read all warranty information before purchase

3. Look into hiring a flooring tile professional to help you as working with granite can be very strenuous, due to its weight particularly. When in doubt, it's always best to get experienced help

4. Inspect the whole batch before beginning an installation for possible breakage and any other issues, and consult your terms and conditions as to how to see about compensation, if any.

5. Expect color variations in your batch of granite tile. Remember, granite is a natural material. Use these natural color variations found in your batch to your advantage. Get as creative with your layout as you can.

6. Lay out all of your granite tiles in a dry run before applying mortar or other chosen adhesive agent.

7. Choose a sealant that best suits your choice in granite tile. Ask your sales rep or flooring professional about specific varieties and brand names.

8. Initiate a cleaning and maintenance regimen; choose the appropriate cleaners and polishes based on experienced advice in order to make sure your granite tile retains all of its natural beauty.

DON'T

1. Install granite tile on an uneven, dirty or wet subfloor.

2. Leave spills to sit on your granite tile flooring or countertops.

3. Allow dirt and grit to remain on the surface of your granite tile. These elements can affect the finish over time and take away from the natural beauty of granite.

4. Use acid-based cleaners or other agents on your granite tile.

5. Forget to thoroughly rinse your granite tile once you've used a recommended cleaner, or forget to change dirty water or solution which you are using to clean the tile.

6. Use scouring powders, steel wool, or other abrasive materials to remove stains from your granite tile.

One of the best courses of action to take to ensure that granite tile is the right choice for flooring or countertop solution is to consult with the experts. This way, you are benefiting from years of experience, which will allow you to avoid costly mistakes. It will also help to make sure that your granite tile will be as attractive and long lasting as it is meant to be with you as its best ally!

Published by Rob Jones

Rob Jones is Communications Coordinator with BuildDirect (http://www.builddirect.com/), a leading online wholesaler of building products.  View profile

  • Learn about natural stone from BuildDirect UniversityBuy Granite Tile in pallet quantites for less for residential and commericial projects.Distributors and retailers can buy granite tile in container quantities. For granite countertops and vanity tops, BuildDirect sources quality modular kits for tile or slabs, accomodating medium to large sized kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Granite is one of the hardest substances on earth, perfect for a hard-wearing interior surface
  • All granite tile floors will need to be properly sealed. Ask your sales rep about your options.
  • The addition of granite tile can add aesthetic, practical, and monetary value to a property.
Granite is an igneous stone. This means that it was formed by cooling magma over millions of years. The cooling process is slow, and while it is occuring, many materials, such as quartz, feldspar, and others, becoming suspended in the cooling rock. These materials act as stabalizing agents, which is what lends so much hardness to the resulting stone - what we recognize as granite. These materials also characterise the crystaline appearance of granite, making it a distinct natural stone.

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