GRANITE TILES GUIDE
Granite Tiles are a popular option for homeowners looking for a durable modern solution for their interior. Granite is extremely hardwearing, visually appealing and it comes in a great range of colours and styles making it a popular choice throughout the home. Here is a guide to buying Granite tiles for your home, highlighting the range available and the benefits this premium stone offers you.
WHY GRANITE TILES?
Natural Stone tiles are often appealing for homeowners because of its unique surface and pattern. Granite is one of the most popular natural stone tiles thanks to its unique characteristics that can add impact to any room.
But its not just a pretty face. Granite is also one of the toughest natural materials around, making Granite tiles perfect for use in high-traffic areas like the kitchen, hallway and conservatory. Granite has been used in the construction of buildings for centuries, and its strength means it provides a durable option in the home so you won't have to worry about replacing scratched or chipped tiles with any frequency. In addition to its strength, granite is easy to install and maintain. Installing the tiles takes no time at all, and you can keep your tiles in perfect condition by simply wiping them clean.
Another benefit of using premium quality Granite tiles is that due to their density they retain the heat so you'll find tiling with them an affordable solution in the long run. You'll be especially thankful on those winter days when you pop the underfloor heating on; as your granite tiles will go that extra mile and maintain the warmth for longer.
CHOOSE FROM A RANGE OF SIZES
Granite tiles come in a wide variation of sizes, meaning they can be used in any room in your home. Typically they are used in kitchens, bathrooms and conservatories, but there is no limit on where they can be installed. Black Granite tiles will provide a contemporary, hotel-chic look to any room when used in a larger format tile and the mirrored light reflecting quality makes a stunning focal point to any room.
CHOOSING HIGH QUALITY TILES
Prices vary considerably when comparing high street to internet retailers where some can be double the price! Our range of Granite Tiles are relatively inexpensive but that doesn't mean they are low quality, just better value for you.
You can find many online retailers selling cheap granite tiles, but always make sure you make quality your defining factor. Cheap tiles contain spotting, veining and colour variation that is not attractive, making them flawed and potentially less durable. Instead, choose premium-quality Granite with a consistent depth of colour and subtle variation in tones.
We would always advise getting a sample to compare. When you receive your samples, the finish should be a consistent high gloss and not have any scratches, or imperfections on the surface. The colour should be quite uniform and have an even distribution of minerals.
HOW TO INSTALL GRANITE TILES
Check your substrates suitability for tiling before proceeding. The surface must be properly prepared, suitably level, sound, clean, dry, and free of dust, grease or any loose material.
Due to the natural characteristics of Granite, slight shade variation could be apparent. It is important to sort your tiles prior to fixing, laying out your tiles before fixing will also ensure you get a good mix across the area.
Adhesive & Grout – All natural stone tiles must be solidly bedded; cement-based tile adhesives are the most appropriate for this method. Using a suitable notched trowel apply the adhesive onto the substrate, spreading only enough adhesive that remains workable. Take the flat side of the trowel and smooth over the adhesive to produce a uniform, ridge-free bed. We also recommend ‘back buttering’ your stone to achieve a strong bond with whole tile.
Cutting - The design and quality of the cutting tool selected will always determine how successful the cut through the tile will be. We recommend a Wet Tile Saw.
Drilling Holes - When installing Granite tiles you may need to work around pipes and other elements. This can be easily done through the use of a diamond drill bit and diamond hole saw. Make sure that when you do the drilling you will want to use plenty of water to keep the drill from getting too hot.
For a full fitting guide please refer to our Natural Stone Fitting Guide.
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR BEAUTIFUL PORCELAIN TILES
Once fitted Granite tiles will require little maintenance and will last a lifetime with the correct care. Granite is an incredibly dense and watertight stone although we would just recommend applying a coat of MPG sealer to prevent the absorption of oil-based substances. You can apply sealant after cleaning the tiles thoroughly; this involves applying a thin layer to the tile and allowing it to soak into the stone, then polishing off any excess. Always consult the manufacturer's instructions to check suitability for your Granite.
Then just hoover or brush your floor weekly and mop with Waxwash which is a liquid soap specially formulated to clean without damaging your sealer.
THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR YOUR HOME
Granite tiles have long been a popular option in the home, and if you are veering towards natural stone for your choice of tiles, granite could be ideal. Have a look at different styles available to you, and you're sure to find the perfect Granite tiles for the rooms in your home.
