| GRANITE
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Average
Price : $7.50 - $11.75 sq. ft.
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Imported
Primarily From Brazil & India
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Granite
is generally considered the hardest and most dense of
all stones used in the building and remodeling industry
today. Granite has been used for many applications but
most commonly for building exteriors and for kitchen counter
tops. If you are planning on using granite tiles instead
of slab for your kitchen project there are several things
to keep in mind: |
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Granite
typically comes in two varieties, either homogenous
and static with very little movement or with sweeping
swirling grains (movement). When using granite tiles
on a counter top surface, it is recommended that you
go with the static version, if not your counter will
end up looking like a puzzle with the pieces in the
wrong place. It is also imperative that the surface
be floated perfectly level and the tiles placed as close
together as possible while still allowing grout (unsanded)
to fill the joints. If levelness is not achieved, your
counter top will end up looking like a disco ball. Granite
is an extremely reflective surface and it will reveal
any inconsistencies ten fold. Using granite tiles in
lieu of the slab form will save the customer nearly
one third of the overall price. However, the look achieved
while still beautiful is not comparable to the look
achieved with the use of granite slabs. Granite tile
countertops will not affect the resale value of your
home in the same way the slab form will either.
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Granite
comes in a variety of colors and patterns as discussed
above. Nearly all granite is imported with a high polish
on it, but granite can also be honed, flamed, or even
acid washed to change the appearance. These applications
will actually decrease the stone's density and increase
its porosity level. Granite tiles typically come in the
12"x 12" form, however some granites come in
18"x 18" & 24"x 24". Not all granite
found in slab form will come in a corresponding tile,
and those which do often vary in movement and color tone
from its parent slab. This is because tiles are mined
in separate areas where blocks are generally smaller,
quarries typically only mine tiles if they cannot excavate
sufficient size slab blocks from the area. |
Installation
of limestone tile is not something your average ceramic
tile setter will be able to undertake. These tiles are
cut to such a strict tolerance so they can be installed
with as little grout as possible (typically 1/16"
or smaller). Prices for installation will range from $6.00
- $9.00 per square foot. Any price lower than this should
be scrutinized closely. Underlayment is a must prior to
installation and stone sealer should always be included,
these are not options. |
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Granite is an igneous rock (formed by heat) found deep
within the Earth. It was formed hundreds of thousands
of years ago by volcanic eruption. Depending on where
that lava cooled and settled, the resulting colors and
movement did occur. Because granite was formed by heat
and was at one time molten rock, it is virtually impervious
to heat. The darker the granite is, the harder and more
dense it tends to be. This is also true for tightness
of grain in a granite, a stone with big formations in
it is more likely to stain than one with smaller grains,
small grained granite cooled faster and therefor became
harder faster. |
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Installation
of granite tile is not something your average ceramic
tile setter will be able to undertake. These tiles are
cut to such a strict tolerance so they can be installed
with as little grout as possible (typically 1/16"
or smaller). Prices for installation will range from $8.00
- $13.00 per square foot. Any price lower than this should
be scrutinized closely. Bullnosing (shaping of the edges)
is also a consideration and will run you nearly $10.00
per linear foot. This is not something your average tile
setter can do without major inconsistencies. |
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