Granite, Marble and Stone Floors
Granites and marbles are not manufactured, they are products of nature. Granite is composed primarily of quartz, feldspar and mica, while marbles are made up of calcite. Other minerals may be present in these stones that create their special colors, textures and patterns.
These stones are quarried in large blocks that are cut into slabs, that are then customized into the desired product. Because each block is different and each slab is different, these products become unique, unlike anything else in the world.
GRANITE
Granite is one of hardest materials on earth. It is resistant to scratches acids, stains and heat. It is long-lasting, durable and available in a wide variety of colors, textures and unique crystal patterns that create a warm and inviting environment for your kitchen or bath.
MARBLE
Marble works beautifully especially in the bath where the veining patterns and colors that appear can be used to create exquisite designs. However, marble is sensitive to acidic foods such as vinegar, lemon, tomates, wine, as well as some tile cleaners, mildew removers and other materials commonly found in the kitchen or bath that can dull a polished finish. Some marbles with honed or matte finishes make exceptionally high quality kitchen countertops.
Tips for selecting the right Granite & Marble
- Choose the right color and pattern that you can live with for a long time.
- Select the right material for your room design.
- Initial selection from a sample should be followed by inspecting the actual slab that will be used for your project.
This is important snce granite and marble samples will differ considerably from slabs.
- Select an edge treatment that is compatible with the style and look of your kitchen or bath.
STONE
Stone can be expensive: figure roughly $15-$20 a square foot on the low end. It’s also hard on the feet, noisy and involves a complicated mix of materials, design, and installation that has kept it out of most homes.
The public is increasingly getting acquainted with stone, finding out it is long-lasting, low-maintenance, and elegant.
Customers may select a stone from a sample and then blanch when they see it on a floor. “It happens all the time,” says architect Stephen Vanze, who explains that color and vein patterns can vary widely within the same slab. The whole chunk needs a once-over before it’s cut into tiles, but a trip to the quarry in Egypt or France would really jack up the cost. Some vendors, like DC’s Stone Source, can provide digital photographs.
Just like Granite or Marble, Stone is a natural product. Stephen Vanze says that one of the beauties of natural stone is its multiplicity. “If you’re looking for something consistent, you shouldn’t be looking for something that’s coming out of the ground,” he says.
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Manufactured tiles also offer stone-looks for half the price