Granite Tile Vs. Granite Slab: A Comprehensive Guide
Granite has proven itself to be a popular choice for many homeowners. It is durable, visually appealing, and holds its value well over time. And with its range of colors, patterns, and styles, it is easy to find a matching piece for your home. But one more decision is in order: Should you choose granite tile or granite slab?
The choice between granite tiles and slabs is one that many homeowners face. Each option has unique benefits, and it’s essential to consider your needs carefully before deciding. This guide will look at the pros and cons of granite tile versus slab so that you can make an informed choice when selecting material for your next home project.
What Is Granite Tile?
Granite tile is a piece of granite cut into an even shape. These pre-cut pieces are then installed on a home’s floor or wall. Granite tiles are made from the same materials as slabs but cut into smaller pieces for easier installation and handling.
What Is Granite Slab?
On the other hand, a granite slab is one large piece of granite cut and polished into an even surface. Granite slabs are most often used in kitchens or bathrooms.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Granite Tile and Slab
Appearance
The choice between granite slab and tile often boils down to appearance. Both options have a distinctive look, but one may be more appealing than another, depending on your home’s design aesthetic.
Granite tiles are usually smaller than slabs (about 12x12 inches or larger), so their appearance tends to be a little more uniform. They come in various colors and design options but are often regular in shape, with straight edges.
Granite slabs, on the other hand, offer a broad range of appearances. This is because you can choose different shapes and sizes fitted to your countertop or floor. Because of their size, slabs can come in more intricate patterns than tiles.
Granite slabs can change
ALASKA WHITE
Each slab is different
Alaska White and many other colors can vary from one lot or slab to another
Durability
The second important factor to consider when choosing between tile and slab is durability. Granite slabs are typically thicker than tiles, giving them better longevity over time. Of course, this will depend on your specific needs. Tile can be an excellent option if you have a small project with little foot traffic. Granite slabs may be the best option for larger projects in high-traffic areas, such as kitchens or entryways.
Installation
Because of their smaller size, granite tiles can be set in place more quickly than slabs. With slabs, however, you should expect a longer installation time. They’re also heavier, which can be difficult for some DIYers to manage.
Each option has its specific considerations. For example, granite slab installations require careful preparation and planning before starting the project. This will take time and careful supervision by an experienced contractor. Granite tile installations are much simpler and quicker. So if you plan to do it yourself, it will take less time and effort.
Cost
The choice between granite slab and tile depends mainly on your home improvement project size. Because slabs are larger than tiles, you can expect higher costs for materials and installation.
The Takeaway
Granite tile versus granite slab? There’s no easy answer, as the choice between these two materials depends on the specifics of your project. Whether you’re installing new flooring or a granite countertop, it’s essential to carefully consider the appearance, durability, and installation requirements before making your final decision.
Want to learn more about your options for granite materials? Granite au Sommet can help you get started on your next home improvement project.
Sources:
https://rockdoctor.com/decisions-decisions-granite-slab-vs-granite-tiles/
https://graniteselection.com/blog/granite-slab-vs-granite-tile-countertops-whats-the-difference/
https://countertopguides.com/guides/granite-tile-vs-granite-slab-countertops.html
The Rise of Black Granite Countertops: Why This Trend Is Taking Over
Timeless pieces of furniture and décor are always trending, and granite countertops certainly qualify as one of them. They’re a classic that can instantly add value, character, and function to any kitchen or bathroom. But one particular shade is taking the market by storm: black granite.
It seems like a simple choice, yet black granite is anything but. The popularity of this shade has been steadily increasing over the past several years and shows no sign of stopping. Here are a few reasons why black granite countertops may also belong in your kitchen or bathroom.
1. Black granite is versatile.
Whether you want to create an industrial or more traditional look, black granite can adapt and fit seamlessly. Because black granite is such a neutral shade, you can pair it with practically any style of furniture, décor, and more.
2. Black granite is easy to maintain.
Wooden countertops may look great, but they often require a lot of upkeep and maintenance. On the other hand, black granite is easy to clean and durable enough to last many years. Grease and stains are no match for their smooth surface.
3. Black granite is elegant.
Black granite is a classic shade that will never go out of style. It brings an element of elegance to any kitchen or bathroom, making it perfect for homeowners who want their space to feel as luxurious and high-end as possible.
4. Black granite can create a distinct look in any room.
Black granite has the unique ability to draw attention and stand out while enhancing the look of other elements in a room. This feature makes it perfect for modern kitchens and bathrooms that need an extra touch of style and character.
5. Black granite is resistant to stain, scratch and heat.
Granite is naturally resistant to heat, stains, scratches, and water. Simply clean it from time to time, and your countertops will always look brand new. With a black granite countertop, you can be sure they will look classic and high-end for years to come.
6. Black granite is timeless.
Black granite is a timeless shade that will never go out of style. This makes it ideal for homeowners who want to invest in something high-end and luxurious without worrying about it becoming irrelevant soon after installation.
Is Black Granite Right for You?
Your kitchen or bathroom may be perfect for a black granite countertop. With its timeless look, easy maintenance, and elegant appeal, it’s no wonder this trend is taking over the market. So, if you want to upgrade your space, consider switching your old countertops for a sleek new black granite countertop today.
The Takeaway
Granite as a material has been a classic choice for countertops, and black granite is the latest trend to take over in kitchens and bathrooms. With its neutral shade that can be paired with any style of furniture or décor, it’s easy to see why this simple yet elegant material is so popular. If you’re looking for a high-end countertop that is low maintenance and resistant to stains, scratches, and heat, check out our black granite collection here at Granite au Sommet.
Sources:
https://graniteselection.com/blog/black-granite-countertops-pros-and-cons/
https://stonedepot.ph/black-granite-countertops/
https://qualitymarbleindia.com/blog/black-granite-applications/
Why Granite Is the Perfect Stone for Bathrooms
Granite has surged in popularity in recent years because of its appearance and easy-to-maintain characteristic. Many homeowners don’t think much of using granite in the bathroom because they are used to seeing granite in kitchen countertops and backsplashes. But using granite for bathrooms gives a luxurious aesthetic seen in hotels and spas.
Is Granite Good for the Bathroom?
Yes, granite is good for bathrooms. However, many people assume that granite can only be used in relatively dry places, such as the kitchen or living room. They don’t consider using granite in areas like the bathroom, thinking that it would make the space even more high-maintenance than it already is.
Granite’s characteristics actually make it perfect for use in bathrooms. It’s durable and stain-resistant, with a non-porous surface. It is also easy to clean. Just soap and rinse with water, and it will be good as new.
Waterproof
Bathrooms are always susceptible to molds, mildew, rotten walls, and other problems related to moisture. Granite is considered waterproof because it is non-porous. Water vapor in the air and splashes of water from the shower, faucet, and tub will not penetrate through granite tiles or countertops. Since granite comes in slabs, granite surfaces will have fewer seams and opportunities for water to seep through.
Easy Maintenance
Usually, tiles are hard to maintain because the seams and grouts collect dirt and molds. Granite, being non-porous, will not absorb water, dirt, soap residue, bacteria, and odors. These elements simply rest on the surface of the granite and are easily wiped off.
Granite surfaces in bathrooms can be easily cleaned using soap and water and wiped dry. Cleaning these surfaces twice a week is enough to keep your bathroom smelling fresh and looking nice.
Durability
Granite is said to be one of the most rigid natural materials in the world. In fact, cutting granite slabs require special equipment. Granite doesn’t chip, break, or crack easily even if you drop something heavy on it. This durability makes granite ideal for kitchen countertops where heavy work is usually done.
Longevity
When choosing materials for a home, builders recommend those that will last a lifetime. Especially when it comes to a house’s finishings, long-lasting materials are ideal.
Granite lasts for decades because of its durability. Even when used in heavy traffic areas, such as the bathroom, granite will still last long.
With the right care and maintenance, granite can last a lifetime. Because it doesn’t fade, it will still look good after decades.
The Takeaway
Choosing waterproof material for your bathroom is essential to keep it looking fresh and clean. Granite’s characteristics make it an ideal choice for bathroom surfaces. Because it is such a reliable material, the money you spend on granite will go a long way. By choosing granite for your bathroom, you invest in beautiful, high-quality material that you can enjoy for a very long time.
How to Care for Granite Tile Used Outdoors
Without question, granite tile is stunning to look at. It offers many benefits that go beyond beauty. For instance, quality granite will last a long time. It’s also scratch, heat, stain, and moisture-resistant. Those are just a few reasons why it ranks as a top choice for kitchen countertops and floors.
You can have granite tile installed outdoors as well. Although you’ll enjoy all the same benefits when used indoors, as an outdoor application, you’ll need to provide the tile with a little extra care.
Properly Maintaining Outdoor Granite Tile
Fortunately, it’s not complicated. If you want to enhance the appearance of an outdoor kitchen, a feature near the pool, a patio where family and friends gather, or perhaps a firepit area, these tips will keep the granite tile in pristine condition.
Have Outdoor Granite Tile Sealed – When installed outside, granite tile gets exposed to the elements. That includes sunlight, rain, temperature fluctuations, wind, dust, and, depending on where you live, snow. These are all reasons why it’s essential to have the tile properly sealed. The same professional who installs the granite tile can also apply a quality sealant. You want to have the tile resealed once a year since weather conditions can diminish the level of protection.
Quick Cleanups – As quickly as possible, clean the granite tile using granite cleaner or plain soap and water. Whether someone spills food on a countertop in an outdoor kitchen or you find animal droppings on a walkway, don’t wait to clean the surface. There are two important things to remember. First, never use a cleaner that contains bleach. Second, although granite tile is scratch-resistant, avoid using any kind of harsh abrasive.
Remove Wet Leaves – Again, granite tile is moisture resistant, but when used outdoors, you don’t want accumulated wet leaves to sit for very long. To prevent this from happening, simply cover the tiled surface during the fall or when not in use.
Avoid Using Citronella Oil – Yes, candles that contain citronella oil work great to keep mosquitoes at bay. However, this same oil can break through even the best sealer on granite tile if left for an extended period. The best option is to place this type of candle on a different surface other than the granite.
Disinfecting Surfaces – Although exposed to a lot more when installed outdoors compared to an indoor application, you don’t need to buy anything special to disinfect granite tile. For this, simply wipe the surface down with a mixture of warm water and an antibacterial dish detergent.
Removing Stubborn Stains – One of the great things about granite tile is that even if it becomes stained, you can remove unsightly spots with ease. For this, mix a little bit of water and baking soda to form a paste. Then with a clean piece of cloth, scrub the stained section in a circulation motion. With the stain gone, use plain water to remove any paste residue.
Start With a Quality Product
If you want to have granite tile installed outside, always start by purchasing a quality product. That’s where we can help. At Granite au Sommet, we specialize in providing our customers with a variety of exceptional products. Contact us today for more information.
Why Granite Countertops Will Always Be ‘In’
When you are updating your kitchen, you are investing a lot of money into the process. You will want materials that will last for a long time to come and never go out of style. The good news is that granite countertops will not look dated down the road. The material is relatively natural, and that means it will always be “in.”
Avoiding a Dated Look
The colors in granite came together without the intervention of humans. Of course, some patterns and colors will be more prevalent depending on the time, but the material won’t be out of style later.
That is also true when it comes to wood. For instance, oak cabinets might not be in right now, but oak itself is not necessarily dated. Instead, the cabinets might look dated because of the finish or door style.
What all this means is you might want to pick a timeless sort of granite. So, what does that mean?
The Selection Available with Granite
Some colors are relatively popular, but specific granite shades can only be found in lower amounts. That means that at some point, the granite you can find today will have become quarried out. That means you can’t find it anymore, and you can’t repeat the design.
Next time, the quarry might find a different location, resulting in different colors. Think of picking your counters as picking art that only comes in specific editions. You might choose to redecorate your room around the granite instead of choosing granite that matches the rest of the room, especially if you choose a more popular color. Think of ways to update the room’s look later. For example, many paint colors might go with a specific shade of the stone.
Boosting Your Home’s Value
Because granite is always going to be in, the countertops might boost the value of your house. You can get an extremely high return on the investment. In fact, you could get back as much as you paid for the stone.
For example, suppose you a buyer is looking at similar homes, and only one has granite. In that case, the counters could make a difference in their selection, as well as how much they are willing to pay for the home.
A Long-Term Investment
You will enjoy granite counters for a long time to come. That’s because they last much longer than wood or laminate countertops do. Plus, you don’t have to do that much maintenance to keep them looking great. Over the long term, you can expect granite counters to be a more cost-effective method of ensuring your home’s value. Plus, they are easy to keep clean.
Closing Thoughts
When it comes to picking materials for your kitchen renovation, you’ll want to choose something like granite. That way, you can avoid your kitchen design becoming dated. This material will help the room remain beautiful, even as the trends change.
Sources:
https://www.marbleandgranite.com/blog/2015/september-2015/why-granite-is-still-(counter)-tops
https://modernize.com/homeowner-resources/kitchen/top-5-reasons-granite-popular-countertop
Quartz Or Granite For Your Kitchen Countertops?
Designing your dream kitchen comes down to a lot of decisions but perhaps the biggest choice you’ll have to make is deciding between quartz or granite for your kitchen countertops. You want your kitchen to be warm, bright, and inviting. Which countertop material is going to be best when it some to design and functionality?
Quartz Or Granite For Your Kitchen Countertops?
Designing your dream kitchen comes down to a lot of decisions but perhaps the biggest choice you’ll have to make is deciding between quartz or granite for your kitchen countertops. You want your kitchen to be warm, bright, and inviting. Which countertop material is going to be best when it some to design and functionality?
Here’s everything you need to know about quartz versus granite for your kitchen counters.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz is man-made and engineered from stone by-products to be used in kitchen and bathroom countertops. Quartz is just as strong and durable as granite but it’s also a little more flexible, making it less prone to cracking or chipping.
When it comes to design and colors, there is no limit. Quartz is colored using pigments so it’s available not only in natural white and gray tones but also in bright blues and greens, rose and amber, and even with a natural look of marble. This means that you’ll be able to find a quartz countertop that matches the cabinets, tiles, and walls of your kitchen.
Another reason that quartz countertop is a good choice for the kitchen is that because the slabs are manufactured, they have an even and consistent pattern throughout, making seams much less noticeable than granite countertops.
High-quality Quartz stone is also non-porous and highly resistant to scratches and stains, so it stands up well as a work surface in your kitchen. However, keep in mind that foods or liquids that are acidic or that have a heavy dye, such as red wine, may still stain the quartz surface if not quickly wiped. Stain can be cleaned by using the right cleaning recipe.
Granite Kitchen Counters
Granite countertops are made from natural stone found in stone quarries. The stone is cut and sized into thin slabs which are then polished to a smooth finish and fabricated to be used as countertops. Granite is more porous than quartz and will require sealing when it’s installed and then periodically every year or two after that to keep it resistant to stains.
Aesthetically, granite has a much more natural appearance than quartz. The color palate for granite will range from the neutral tones of off-white to the deeper richness of greens and blacks. Granite is ideal as a work surface in the kitchen as it resists heat, cuts, and scratches from sharp knives.
When granite countertops are installed, the seams are more noticeable than with quartz counters. If you have a large countertop area, the imperfections in granite will be more noticeable. Some homeowners like the unique and interesting look this gives to their kitchen, with the granite countertop becoming a focal point in the room.
Budgeting for Quartz or Granite
If you still can’t decide on quartz or granite based on design and functionality, consider your budget. In some case, Granite can be slightly cheaper than quartz. But in reality, both have cheap and expensive options. If you’re choosing unusual granite colors such as quartzite, it might cost you more.
Need help deciding whether quartz or granite is the right choice for your kitchen countertops? Get in touch with Granite au Sommet – they’ll be able to give you the pros and cons of both quartz and granite and talk to you about professional installation.