Granite tiles are very deservedly very popular. This is one of the most practical, durable, multi-functional and aesthetic building materials of natural origin.
Application
Thanks to its qualities, granite tiles are used in various fields:
- for facing facades of houses, walls, stairs;
- the design of flower beds and fountains;
- paving;
- decoration of fireplaces, countertops;
- creation of floor coverings or individual decorative elements;
- Granite tiled bathrooms.
To obtain the necessary texture, various surface treatments are used. Mirror polished tiles are perfect for cladding and decoration. And laying granite paving slabs with a polished surface is an excellent option for designing walkways.
Material benefits
Granite tiles, which can be laid both independently and with the help of professionals, has many advantages. Granite is a very strong, wear-resistant and resistant to many negative factors material. Because the tile made of this stone is different:
- high strength, including impact resistance, which is important for sidewalks and floors;
- durability, because granite has the property not to collapse for many decades;
- weather resistance (granite tiles for the street can maintain its attractive original appearance for many years);
- wonderful decorative qualities, a variety of colors and textures.
In addition, granite tile is considered a universal finishing material, practical and in demand in many construction fields.
An undoubted advantage of using granite products in the facing is that the material is not afraid of washing with various chemical agents, and also does not absorb dirt. So that a granite floor or other surface can last for many years and does not lose its original appearance, it is recommended to use special polishes, stone impregnations, etc. for care. In addition, restoration of paving or other granite tiles is possible, in which the surface is refinished, cracks and chips are masked, and a protective layer is coated.
Material flaws
The main disadvantage of this material is that the minimum thickness of the plates is 20 mm. And this means that they have a fairly large weight, because of which:
- the cost of transporting building materials is higher;
- facing a vertical surface requires more consumables;
- laying such tiles on the floor puts a heavy load on the supporting structure, which must be taken into account.
Varieties of material
To classify granite tiles, GOST 9480-89 is used, which describes all types of stone texture and the main features of its processing. As a rule, depending on the surface treatment, five types of this material are distinguished:
- Polished granite slabs, characterized by a specular surface and a well-developed natural stone pattern.
- Glazed, which, like polished products, has a surface with a perfectly visible pattern and color of granite, but they do not have a gloss.
- Granite sawn slabs with uneven cavities imitating natural splits and stone damage.
- Heat-treated granite slabs, the surface of which is treated with a high-temperature gas jet, due to which the surface acquires roughness and peeling marks. Due to this treatment, the material is very practical for laying outdoors, so in winter it is not too slippery.
- Buchured, with a more uniform rough surface. It is specially inflicted damage having small differences in depth.
All types of surface treatment of granite slabs are aimed primarily at making the stone pattern more visible. A different texture adds functionality and aesthetics. For example, a rough surface is ideal for street or flooring, because it is not slippery. Damage mimicking boards add visual volume to walls. The cost of granite tiles varies depending on the processing method and the rarity of the type of granite.
Granite tiles: sizes
Standard tiles are as follows:
- 300 x 300 mm;
- 300 x 400 mm;
- 300 x 500 mm;
- 300 x 600 mm;
- 400 x 400 mm;
- 400 x 500 mm;
- 400 x 600 mm.
In addition to standard sizes, manufacturers custom-made slabs of various sizes or make them with curly ends or rounded corners.
Stacking
For high-quality laying of granite tiles, special devices and tools are required, which are available in the arsenal of almost all skilled tilers. The installation is carried out in several stages:
- necessary preparatory work is carried out, in which the surface is cleaned of old finishing materials, evened and covered with a primer layer;
- adhesive is applied to the surface of the area to be coated;
- granite tiles are laid;
- seams are overwritten.
It should be remembered that granite tiles have a rather large weight, therefore it is very difficult to lay it alone. Do not overestimate your strengths and try to bridge it yourself, as there is a risk of spoiling expensive material.
It is also important not to allow voids to form under the granite slabs. Otherwise, some elements may simply come off and you will have to repair the floor or walls.