When designing the interior and exterior areas of the apartment or house, robust tiles made of porcelain stoneware are increasingly becoming the focus, as they are dirt-resistant and easy to clean, while at the same time being of high quality and elegant. This article discusses the benefits ofPorcelain stoneware, granite and marble as floor coverings explained.
Porcelain stoneware, granite and marble – durable and elegant ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles have the advantage that they are frost and weather resistant; they hardly change their color and shape even when it rains or snows. A specific type of tile isPorcelain stoneware. These are dry-pressed ceramic tiles that are particularly easy to care for because they absorb little water. Compared to normal tiles, this property makes them insensitive to dirt.
Unglazed porcelain stoneware is durable and slip-resistant, making it suitable for intensively used surfaces. In contrast, there are more decorative options to choose from with glazed and printed porcelain stoneware, and this variant also has a higher resistance to breakage and is less sensitive to frost.
Porcelain stoneware, granite and marble – useful information about granite floors
The tiles made from this material are also “hard as granite”. When it comes to flooring, robustness is just as important as high abrasion resistance. For many interested parties, this is the decisive argument, because hardly anything is subjected to as much stress as the floor. Granite tiles can withstand all stresses, are non-flammable (fire protection class A1) and also look good. The elegant look can be further enhanced by polishing. The so-called flame causes the quartz contained in it to crack, so that the surface becomes rougher. Brushing smoothes the tiles and makes them easy to maintain and clean.
If the existing installation height does not allow other tiles, granite tiles can still be laid as a “thin bed”. There is more information about the differences between thin, medium and thick bed layingthis website.
Granite is also used as a frost-resistant floor coveringThe terraceand stairs used outdoors. However, in this case, increased slip resistance of R 11-13 is important, which is achieved by less brushing during production. This means they are not quite as easy to care for as indoor tiles, but accidents caused by slipping can be prevented. Further ideas for using natural stones outdoors can be found on this website.
Porcelain stoneware, granite and marble – basic care for granite floors
Granite floors can be damp mopped like other floor coverings. However, when they are not impregnated, they absorb moisture and take a long time to dry properly. That's why less is definitely more when it comes to granite.
Real granite floors are acid-resistant and can be treated with acidic cleaners. But caution is advised here, because not all floors that are sold as granite are “real” granite. Some have a lower quartz content or contain lime and are therefore sensitive to acid. If in doubt, the cleaner used should be pH-neutral and free of acids.
Some floor coverings such as the granite tiles ofAG Natural Stone Worksare offered with a lifetime guarantee that should protect against any nasty surprises. The company advises customers on interior design, delivers the relevant materials via an in-house shipping company and carries out the laying and assembly of the floor coverings itself. In addition to floor coverings, AG Natursteinwerke produces other in-house products, such as joints, natural stone adhesives for fine stoneware and custom-made products for stairs, kitchen worktops and washbasins.
Other areas of application for granite
Granite is not only used as flooring. Granite can be used wherever hard and robust material is important due to high levels of wear and tear.
– Kitchen worktops
Granite countertops are even more durable than marble countertops. No matter whether a heavy pot falls on it or the vegetables are cut directly on the work surface - granite takes no offense. However, due to the required thickness, natural stone work surfaces are quite expensive.
– Washbasin
While sinks used to only stand on one foot or were hung freely on the wall, today they are increasingly embedded in worktops, the so-called washbasin. Since wood tends to have disadvantages in a damp room such as a bathroom, stoneware is usually used here. There are two options for using granite in the bathroom. On the one hand, a granite slab can be used as a washbasin into which the sink is embedded. Or the work surface can be tiled with granite tiles. Floors and walls can also be used with theseTilesbe provided.
Marble – noble and individual
Due to its nature, marble is a popular material, especially for interior design. Its elegant appearance not only embellishes the interior of an apartment, but also a balcony or terrace.
Marble is a carbonate rock that is transformed into various minerals – calcite, dolomite or aragonite – when it is formed inside the earth. Marble can only form when these minerals are exposed to high heat and pressure over a long period of time.
Characteristics and properties of marble
In Germany, marble comes in three natural varieties. Firstly as limestone, secondly as Jura marble and thirdly as real marble. The latter must consist of at least 50 percent dolomite or aragonite and calcite. Each marble has specific properties.
The advantages of this natural stone lie in the durable and waterproof surface, which also exudes an elegant look. Marble is relatively expensive to purchase and after heavy use it needs to be polished at regular intervals by a professional. Furthermore, marble is sensitive to acid treatments, such as those found in various cleaning products.
Image sources: AG Natursteinwerke GmbH & Co. KG
