Toronto residents have, in recent years, discovered the advantages of installing granite slab countertops, floors, and other elements in their homes. Granite flooring is a beautiful and durable choice. There are, however, several critical points to consider when you are shopping for granite slab flooring. Here are a few of them:
- Granite Slab vs. Tile. Slab granite floors are less common than tile ones. There are several reasons for this, although fans of slab granite love the unity and uniqueness of their floors. Tiles, however, are much less costly and more flexible. Tiles come in sizes from 12 to 24 inches, with a thickness of ¾”. If you opt for tile, inspect each tile carefully on arrival to ensure that colour is reasonably consistent throughout.
- Granite Supplier. Find a supplier for your granite that is knowledgeable and reliable. This usually means dealing with a company that specializes in stone products. Ask questions about the stone itself, delivery, and installation. Do your due diligence to make sure that the company has a good reputation.
- Maintenance. Granite floors need sealing once every two years, but that’s a simple process. Other than that, the floor can be cleaned by simply sweeping, vacuuming, or damp mopping.
- Durability. With a score of 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, granite is one of the toughest materials on earth. Your granite floor will endure for generations, and probably outlast the life of the house.
- Colour. If you’ve never visited a stone showroom, you’ll be amazed by the broad palette of colour available in natural stone. Granite ranges from neutral shades with few highlights to vividly coloured varieties with dramatic patterning.
- Finish. These main types of finishes can be applied to granite flooring:polished granite, a very shiny finish that’s best suited for low traffic areas; honed granite, which has a matte finish and can be installed in high traffic areas; and flamed or brushed granite, which is usually used outdoors. Be sure to get advice from an expert before installing granite. High polished granite, for example, becomes very slippery when wet, so isn’t suitable for to bathroom floors.
- Natural and Safe. Granite is a safe, natural product that doesn’t off-gas dangerous chemicals, such as synthetic products can. The non-porous stone naturally repels bacteria, making it a great choice for the homes of people suffering from allergies.
- Cost. Some homeowners shy away from granite flooring or other stone elements because they feel that they’re expensive compared to manmade materials. It’s true that quality stone will require a greater initial investment than other types of flooring. However, stone will last much longer than synthetic or any other type of floor covering. And it’s been proven that the installation of stone design elements is a major boost to market price of your house if and when you decide to sell; the cost of the stone flooring will be recouped in the resale value it will add to your home.
- Beauty. Granite adds beauty and elegance to any home.
Watch the way the flecks of mineral in marble catch and reflect the rays of the morning sun, and you’ll never want any other kind of flooring!