Your home is your castle, but is it time for an upgrade? Maybe you’re finally ready to embark on a renovation or remodel you’ve been thinking about for a while. Natural or man-made stone is a great addition to your home. Used to produce everything ranging from kitchen counters to flooring, from pool decks to walkways, plus bathroom vanities and more, these materials are beautiful and functional. But do you know the difference between the types, their benefits, cost and applications?
In this article, we’ll explain the benefits and uses for various types of natural and engineered stone, including granite, marble, porcelain, quartz, quartzite and onyx. You’ll come away with a better understanding of the various types of materials you can incorporate into your next home remodeling project. Then, if it’s time for you to take the next step on your project, you can reach out to your Southwest Florida contractors at Stone & Tile from Portugal (SATFP).
Granite
Granite is a hard, igneous rock that offers timeless beauty and durability. Glossy and veined with unique colors and patterns, granite can be an excellent option for multiple areas of your home, including kitchens, bathrooms, bar tops, fireplaces, floors, and walls.
This material was formed deep within the Earth as liquid magma cooled and hardened. Geologically speaking, granite is a siliceous stone. It’s made up of silicates like feldspar, mica and quartz. These materials create the veins and patterns for which granite is known.
Granite comes in hundreds of colors and patterns. Each piece has its own individual veins, swirls and colors meaning the granite you select will be utterly unique. It’s like adding a work of art to your home that also has a functional element!
You can get granite as a slab for use on countertops, as tiles for backsplashes or walls or even as pavers for your driveway. It’s an extremely versatile natural stone with lots of potential applications in your home.
People love granite countertops in their kitchen, and we use it often in our remodeling projects. Granite is heat resistant, so you can set hot pans on it without affecting the finish.
It is very hard and durable, able to withstand heavy loads. Granite is stain-resistant, if properly sealed; and also resistant to most household chemicals. Plus, granite can be freeze/thaw stable, meaning it is less likely to deteriorate due to temperature cycling. While it may cost a little more, granite can come in some rare and unique colors and patterns. You want to be careful with pots and pans, as the edges and corners of a granite countertop can chip. Periodic resealing is required to avoid stains, but this is true of most types of countertops.
Granite’s best uses include: Kitchen countertops; Bathroom vanity countertops; Flooring; Mosaic tile floor patterns; Driveway pavers; Backsplashes; Inlay in a pool deck or outdoor kitchen. For details and to see how we can help you with your next renovation project contact us at Stone and Tile from Portugal.
