Granite Flooring

Granite is not just for countertops, it also makes for a very durable floor. Granite flooring tiles are easy to maintain.

Granite is very heavy, but when in tile form it's very manageable. Granite tile is usually 3/8's of an inch thick. Which is more than enough for durability. Traffic will not affect these tiles, but they will get scratched over time.

Granite is also somewhat porous, the more veining the more porous it will be, but still not porous enough to worry about. This floor should be sealed with a stone sealer to maximize it's longevity.

Acidic cleaners should not be used to clean granite. Acids weaken the crystalline structure of granite and accelerates cracking, but this takes a really long time and should be of little concern.

Polished granite can be very slippery. Anti-slip materials are available to keep slipping to a minimum. Throw rugs with anti-slip backing can also be used in high trafic areas.

Things to consider before deciding on granite flooring:
• The amount of foot traffic:
  The more foot traffic an area gets the more maintenance the stone requires. Granite is very durable but like any thing else it needs maintenance to maintain it's appearance. To maintain granite all that is needed is to keep dirt off of the floor and a good quality sealer to seal out moisture.
• The structure of the supporting floor:
  The biggest mistake people make is not having sufficient support of the floor itself. Too much deflection in floor will allow the grout joints to crack, and at worse the granite itself. Deflection is when walking on the floor it sags under your weight.

  A good rule of thumb is maximum deflection should be no more than one inch over thirty feet. A way to judge this is to have someone get close to floor and watch as you walk over the floor and see if it sags under your weight. If any sags are noticed more structural support is needed.

• Color Choice:
  Color choice is also a major consideration. The lighter in color the floor is the more likely it is to get stained. Conversely the darker the color, the harder it is to keep clean. Black granite will show every single speck of dust.
• Price:
  The price of granite tiles aren't as high as you might think. Prices range from $3 to $20 per sq ft for the tile alone, installation is not included in this price. Installation can range from $5 to $25 per sq ft, or higher, depending on the complexity of the design and the amount of cutting required..

  The biggest part of installation prices is the equipment needed to cut the tile. Standard tile cutters can be used but the wear on the blades is very fast. Many floors need more than one blade to cut all of the tile. These blades contain diamonds and are quite expensive.

Granite is a fantastic flooring option. The colors are almost endless and so are the designs that can be accomplished. Great durability and ease of cleaning are major selling points. A granite floor can also add a good amount of value to your home.