In the last few years there has been a movement towards the use of natural stone in bathrooms and kitchens. It was not too long ago when the only time you saw granite in Franklin, TN was in very high end homes but today, as it has become more affordable, it is seen even in modest homes.
When most people consider granite they do so because of its durability and resistance to heat and most staining. It is a porous material though and as such it does require care and about every six months it needs to be sealed. This is not problematic though as sealing takes nothing other than a coat of colorless floor wax.
Surface appearance: Granite is a natural material and as such the surface is variegated and no two pieces of the material are exactly alike. The appearance can be different even if the granite tiles should come from the same box, some will be mottled and others will be speckled. When you buy tiles you may be wise to look at them all and select the ones which are closely aligned to one another.
Strength: There is little doubt that granite is strong but because it is not a man-made material it cannot have strength ratings assigned to it such as ceramic tiles can. Granite can and does vary in strength as a result of miniscule fissures that run through the stone. As a result of this potential weakness, granite tiles are usually cut thicker than ceramic tiles are manufactured. Granite tiles are at least 3/8th of an inch thick and in many cases, even thicker.
Grout choices: When you have selected ceramic tile for your bath or kitchen, due to the design characteristics, grout can often be used as a design tool. When ceramic tiles are laid they can be separated by a considerable gap which either emphasizes or deemphasizes the tile. When granite in Franklin, TN is laid, the objective is to have the minimum gap so that the granite surface is emphasized.
Installation: A single granite slab is best left to professional installers but granite tiles can be installed by the DIY homeowner. Tiles on a countertop may not have the same appeal as a solid slab but if the budget is of concern, it is the way to go.
Granite in Franklin, TN for use as countertops or flooring is available from Celtic Marble & Granite. Visit website for more details.
