Granite tiles. Laying granite tiles

Granite tiles very deservedly enjoyed great popularity. This is one of the most practical, durable, multi-functional and aesthetic building materials of natural origin.

Application

Granite tiles due to their qualities are used in various areas:

• For facing facades of houses, walls, stairs;
• Decoration of flower beds and fountains;
• Laying of sidewalks;
• Decoration of fireplaces, countertops;
• The creation of floor coverings or individual decorative elements;
• Granite tiles facing the bathrooms.

To obtain the necessary texture, various methods of surface treatment are used. The tiles, polished to a mirror finish, are perfect for cladding and decoration. And laying granite tiles paving with polished surface - an excellent option for the design of pedestrian paths.

Material Advantages

Granite tiles, which can be laid both independently and with the help of professionals, has many advantages. Granite is very durable, wear-resistant and resistant to many negative factors. Because the tile of this stone is different:

• High strength, including impact resistance, which is important for sidewalks and floors;
• Longevity, because granite has the property not to collapse for many decades;
• Resistant to weathering (granite tiles for the street can retain its attractive original appearance for many years);
• Remarkable decorative qualities, a variety of colors and textures.

In addition, granite tiles are considered a universal finishing material, practical and in demand in many construction areas.

The undoubted advantage of using in the lining of granite products is that the material is not afraid of washing with various chemical agents, and also does not absorb dirt. To granite floor or other surface could serve for many years and did not lose its original appearance, it is recommended to use special polishes, stone impregnation and so on for care. In addition, it is possible to restore the paving or other granite tiles, in which the surface is ground again, the cracks and chips are masked, and covered with a protective layer.

Disadvantages of the material

The main drawback of this material is that the minimum thickness of the slabs is 20 mm. And this means that they have a lot of weight, because of what:

• The cost of transportation of building materials is higher;
• The facing of a vertical surface requires more consumables;
• The laying of such a tile on the floor exerts a heavy load on the bearing structure, which must be taken into account.

Varieties of material

For the classification of granite tiles, GOST 9480-89 is used, where all types of stone texture and the main features of its processing are described. As a rule, depending on the surface treatment, five types of this material are distinguished:

• Polished granite slabs, characterized by surface mirror and well-developed natural stone pattern.
• Polished, which, like polished products, has a surface with a perfectly visible pattern and granite color, but they do not have a shine.
• Edged granite plates, having uneven depressions, imitating natural splits and damages to the stone.
• Heat-treated granite slabs, the surface of which is treated with a gas jet of high temperature, due to which the surface becomes rough and traces of peeling. Due to this processing, the material is very practical for laying outdoors, so in winter it is not too slippery.
• Buchard, with a more even rough surface. It is specially damaged, having small differences in depth.

All kinds 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 floor covering, because it is not slippery. Plates that simulate damage, add visually the volume of the walls. The cost of granite tiles varies depending on the processing method and the rarity of the granite type.

Granite tiles: dimensions

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 carry out custom-made slabs of various sizes or make them with shaped ends or rounded corners.

Stacking

For the qualitative laying of granite tiles, special tools and tools will be required, which are available in the arsenal of almost all qualified tilers. The stacking process is performed in several stages:

• Necessary preparatory work is carried out, in which the surface is cleaned of old finishing materials, leveled and covered with a layer of primer;
• On the surface of the lining area is applied adhesive composition;
• Granite tiles are laid;
• Seams are erased.

It should be remembered that granite tiles are quite large in weight, so it is very difficult to lay it alone. Do not overestimate your strength and try to pave it yourself, as there is a risk of spoiling expensive material.

It is also important not to allow the formation of voids beneath the granite slabs. Otherwise, some elements can simply separate, and you have to repair the floor or walls.