Granite
Tiles in Review
Granite is a hard natural stone with a high
density. Granite is an igneous rock
formed from the thickening and eventual hardening of flowing lava over time
through natural processes. Other rock and mineral formations that appear in
granite are quartz, mica and feldspar, which all result from the
crystallization of lava. Granites hardness can be compared to diamonds and is
an extremely heavy material that appears in large masses in granite quarries.
The stone is then cut with heavy-duty machinery for commercial purposes, and is
made into slabs to be shipped off and further cut for countertops and tiles.
The overall crystal, quartz and speckled appearance of granite is uniform,
though the colours and the veining may differ. Granite can be used for
interiors and exteriors and there are quarries located in Canada. In fact, the
gargoyles on the Peace Tower at the Canadian Parliament buildings in Ottawa are
made out of granite found in Quebec.
Ottawa is a flourishing city, the fourth largest in Canada. Many new homes are being built there and due
to its closeness to Quebec, granite from Montreal is often used for tile
flooring in Ottawa.
Luxurious
Bathrooms
A current trending style in new homes is to have
granite tiled bathrooms. This gives the room a sophisticated and unique
look. The richness of speckled granite
contributes to the luxurious feel that every bathroom should have. Bathrooms are smaller than the other rooms in
a house, so you can have fun decorating them and may opt for larger tiles for
the floor and small square or rectangle ones for accent pieces on the vanity.
Experimenting with colors is another idea that you may wish to discuss with
your contractor and granite tile provider.
Use the speckles or veins that are visible in the granite colour you've
chosen and team those colours with another granite or natural stone to
compliment. Often you will see
homeowners that have used black granite tiles with white and crystal veins
match those tiles with smaller white granite tiles with black flecks and veins.
Another common color grouping is the pinkish-hued granite tiles combined with
black granite tiles that have a slight pink undertone. One item to remember when choosing granite
for bathrooms is that it may get quite slippery due to its high-gloss
seal. However, as in most bathrooms,
bath mats are put near the shower to avoid any water splashing out from the
shower stall onto your floor. It is highly recommended that you remember to buy
good bath mats that add to the design and feel of your luxurious bathroom.
Granite tiling can be an investment but once you
have it
installed in your home, you'll never have to worry about
renovating again. It has a classic and finished look that can only increase the
net worth of your home. Consider using granite tiles in your bathroom or
kitchen when renovating your home, or if buying a new house, speak to the
contractor about installing them.