Go
the Distance for Good Granite
Granite tiles are extremely versatile and
have been used for decades in interior and exterior spaces. Some pieces of the
pyramid in Egypt are made of granite! The reason it is such a popular natural
stone is because of its unique beauty, it is heat resistant and extremely long
lasting. Many warehouses and stores
located in the GTA and Burlington will house natural stone tiles and it's
important to go to a place with a wide selection of colours, finishes and cuts
of tile. Once you renovate your home with granite tile, you won't ever need to
worry about it again, so don't just shop at a local store. Go the distance, and find the right style of
granite for you. The finish of the
granite tile you will need can depend on where you plan to renovate in your
Burlington home.
There are three main texturized finishes in
granite tile that are able to change a space to fit your unique needs:
- Polished
Granite that is highly
polished has almost a reflective surface and is very smooth. It is commonly
used for bathroom or kitchen
countertops,
either as slabs or as tiles. This finish
gives your granite a sophisticated and clean look that brings out the richness
of quartz, feldspar and mica crystals that are embedded in the natural stone.
This polish also means that the stone is sealed and therefore there is less
likelihood of stains.
2. Honed
This finish is more matte
and has a satin-like feel. It is very
smooth but may not make the granite colour you choose shine in the way that you
have commonly seen. It can look rather dull in certain colours, and the flecks
of crystal embedded within the granite are not as evident. That being said, it
does give a more natural and homely feel, and can be seen in granite tiling or
as
countertops in
bathrooms and kitchens. It also can be used outdoors for exterior landscaping
purposes in tile form.
3. Flamed
This finish is very rough
and is created by going over the granite rock with a very hot flame which
breaks down the crystalline structure, creating a textured surface. This finish is mostly always used for
exterior landscape paving projects but can be found in some bathroom designs.
What
to Ask
Be sure to talk to your granite and natural
stone provider on tips for colour combinations and if you plan to mix and match
other natural stones with your granite. They will be very knowledgeable on the
latest countertop trends for your kitchen or bathroom and will know precisely
which granite finishes to choose in order to achieve the look you are going
for. Ask for assistance with tile sizes,
mosaics for your bathroom and paving options for outdoor areas. Consider bringing in photographs of the area
you wish to renovate and measurements so that you can get an accurate estimate
of renovation costs. Also try to provide
information on the sinks and tubs you have installed in the kitchen or bathroom
so that they can discuss granite tiling options for those areas.