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The thickness. Floor tile are 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick and counter top is 3/4 to 1 inch with the edge usually double thick.
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How to choose floor finishes.
There are many different types of floor finishes available for a home owner to choose from.
1.
Wood laminates Floor Boards.
These are floor finishes made of HDF[High Density Fibre] and look like wood strips.
They are made from wood fibres that have ben highly compressed making it harder than the more common MDF Fibre boards.They come in various natural wood vineers such as peach,oak or mahogany. The strips are joint together by grooves and are laid ontop of an underlay which is laid on the concrete ground surface.
They are easy to fix by care should be taken to leave expansion joints at the edges to cater for expansion in hot weather.Failure to this, the floor boards will warp upwards and dislocate frm the grooves.
They come in various thicknesses usually from 8m to 16mm and are used dependng on the human traffic envisaged. The thicker they are, the more durable they will be. They should be avoided in wet areas.
They are relatively low cost.
2.
Natural wood Floor finishes.
Parquet floor finish.
This consists of solid hardwood blocks fixed with an adhesive on the floor surface and arranged to form a pattetn-the herringbone patern is very common with this finish. The wooden blocks can be of varous sizes and thicknesses.
Wood strips.
These are hardwood strips joined together to form a floor finish on the floor. This kind of flooring is simple and takes less time to fix. The strips are laid in random length.
3.
Ceramic tiles.
This type of floor finish is very common due to its durability and affordability and choice of design.
Ceramic tiles are the number one choice for wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms due to its water-proofing capabilities.
Ceramic tiles also come in various sizes, patterns, colours and shapes.
Ceramic tiles are made from clay which is mined form the ground. The clay is crushed and dry-pressed when in a wet stage to form the shape using a pneumatic punching press. The tile is then dried and a glaze is applied ontop. Glazing is the application of fine glass powder to the surface. The tile is then fired whereby the glaze particles melt into each other to produce a granite-like sueface.
Italy is one of the world's largest producers of ceramic tiles.
Ceramic tiles are easy to clean.
Ceramic tiles are also easy to fix. They are stuck onto the surface usung cement motar in a ratio of 1:3 and hand-placed and positioned usung plastic spacers to create an evenness. There is a special cermic tile cutter that is used to cut the tiles into shape.
Ceramic tiles vary in pricing depending on the quality,colour and pattern.They are relatively low cost.
4.
Granito tiles.
These are Porcelain ceramic tiles and are more durable and can be used in the out-door. They are made from porcelain granules and are fired at much higher temperatures than ceramic tiles.
They are comon in sizes 450mm by 450mm up to size 600mm by 600mm.
They come in variopus colours and textures and are very aesthetically appealing and long lasting.
They are mainly used in corporate offices, banking halls, large shopping malls e.t.c since their large sizes[600mmby 600mm ] can keep up with the large floor scales associated with commercial buildings and can also handle high human traffic in durability.
They are slightly more expensive than ceramic tiles.
5.
Granite Tiles.
The word 'granite' is derived from the Latin word 'Granum ' meaning the granles that characterise the texture and appearance of granite.
Granite is an igneus rock that is mined from the ground and cut and polished to the required tile sizes.
Granite as a floor finish is very aesthetically appealing due to its natural look. Its also expensive compared to other manufactured finishes such as ceramics.
Its very long lasting. It comes in sizes of 1.2m by 2.4 m which can be cut into smaller size tiles as desired. Its also commonly used to make kitchen top surfaces.
6.
Marble.
This is a metamorphic rock made from the joining of clacite[limestone] rock at high temperatures and pressure. This destroys any sign of fossils and sedimentary structure in the rocks to create characteristic swirls and veins from the impuritties such as clay ,silt and iron oxides.
Marble comes in various colour shades according to the region that it is mined from.
It is mined,polished and cut to the desired sizes. Its available in slab sizes of 1.2meters by 2.4 meters .
This is a very beautiful floor finish and very expensive. Since its very expensive to finish complte floor areas with marble, its usually placed in spacific areas such as the entrance foyer where its most visible.
7.
Terrazzo floor finish
This finish is desirable where ther eis high traffic due to its durablility. Its also water prof so it can be used in wet areas and its easy to clean. It can also be laid on the out doors.
Once the concrete floor is laid, a 1 inch hick layer of concrete is laid then patterns are created using plastic dividing strips embedded ontop of the wet concrete surface. A final layer of marbel-chips of various colours is laid within each panel in the dividing strip then a roller is rolled on the surface.
When the terazzo is completely dry, its grinded and polished using a special machine.
8.
PVC floor tiles
The tiles come in an average size of 300mm by 300mm ant a thickness varying from 2.5mm to 4mm. The thickness wused will depend on the human traffic that is envisages for the particular floor.
These tiles are low cost and come in various colours.
Frank Gichuhi
www.a4architect.com
Marble is a softer and more porous stone than granite, making it more prone to scratching and staining. Granite is a harder and more durable natural stone that is less likely to etch or stain compared to marble. Granite also comes in a wider range of colors and patterns than marble.
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Is Marble more expensive than granite?
Yes, marble is generally more expensive than granite due to its luxurious appearance and higher cost of production. Additionally, marble is softer and more prone to scratching and staining compared to granite, which can affect its long-term durability and maintenance costs.
What is the hardest rock between granite and marble?
Granite is generally considered to be harder than marble. Granite is a very hard, durable rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica, while marble is a softer rock primarily made of calcite. This difference in composition gives granite greater resistance to scratching and other forms of wear compared to marble.
Can granite become marble?
No, granite cannot become marble. Granite and marble are two distinct types of rocks formed under different geological conditions. Granite is an igneous rock formed from the cooling of molten rock, while marble is a metamorphic rock formed from the recrystallization of limestone.
Where can one purchase marble and granite tops?
Marble and granite tops can be purchased from specialized stores that offer countertops and vanity tops. Home improvement stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe's, also carry a selection of marble and granite tops. Additionally, there are many online retailers that offer custom-made marble and granite tops for purchase.
What is more expensive marble granite or limestone?
Marble is typically more expensive than granite or limestone. This is because marble is considered a luxury material with higher demand and often requires more intricate installation procedures. Granite and limestone are generally more affordable options when compared to marble.
How durable is a Corian countertop?
Corian is a durable countertop. Also durable is granite and marble.
How durable is marble countertop?
Marble countertops are durable as long as they are taken care of. Marble is porous so it will scratch easier than a granite countertop. It is also important to use a sealer on your marble countertop. Be careful not to clean marble with abrasives and caustic cleaners because damage will occur.
Is Marble more expensive than granite?
Yes, marble is generally more expensive than granite due to its luxurious appearance and higher cost of production. Additionally, marble is softer and more prone to scratching and staining compared to granite, which can affect its long-term durability and maintenance costs.
Is there a countertop product for a kitchen that can take food coloring without the countertop staining?
Answer: Granite marble is great for a countertop if you don't want staining because unlike any wood appliances it doesn't have any small pores in it. Stone marble is always completely solid.
What is the hardest rock between granite and marble?
Granite is generally considered to be harder than marble. Granite is a very hard, durable rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica, while marble is a softer rock primarily made of calcite. This difference in composition gives granite greater resistance to scratching and other forms of wear compared to marble.
Stone or Marble Slab Countertop Installation?
form_title=Stone or Marble Slab Countertop Installation form_header=11453 How would you describe this countertop project?*= () Install or replace countertop () Repair existing countertop Would this particular project be a part from a larger remodel?*= () Yes () No Would you like to know more about the project's green alternatives ?*= () Yes () No Please select which features you would like for your countertop:*= [] Backsplash [] Cooktop cutouts [] Custom shape [] Radius corners [] New sink Specify which kinds of solid stone you were looking at.*= [] "Granite [] Marble [] Quartz (Silestone, Zodiaq or CaesarStone) [] Want recommendation"
Where can I compare various kitchen countertop materials?
There are a number of countertop options to choose from, depending on your budget and specific needs. The website www.countertopspecialty.com/kitchen-counter-top.html has information on a number of different materials you can use, including quartz, marble, and granite.
What is the difference between Bianco Romano and Bianco Perlino?
Bianco Romano is a Granite quarried in Brazil, and Bianco Perlino is a Marble quarried in Italy.
What is softer marble or granite?
Marble.
Are granite and marble important to the state of MassachusettsWhy?
Granite and marble are both important to the state of Massachusetts. Massachusetts has prime areas where granite and marble can be mined for the building industry. Marble and granite are popular to use for counter tops and floors.
Can granite become marble?
No, granite cannot become marble. Granite and marble are two distinct types of rocks formed under different geological conditions. Granite is an igneous rock formed from the cooling of molten rock, while marble is a metamorphic rock formed from the recrystallization of limestone.
What is the best country for granite and marble production?
India – Known for high-quality and diverse granite and marble, widely exported. Brazil – Famous for unique, exotic granite colors. Italy – Renowned for luxury marble, especially Carrara marble. China – Major producer with a strong granite and marble industry.
