FLOORING - GRANITE

FLOORING MATERIALS

GRANITES –

Granites are one of the most common materials used for flooring due to it aesthetic as well as functional properties. It is used extensively in residences as well as other commercial projects, office spaces etc. Different colours are available depending on region and can be used to create interesting patterns

PROPERTIES –

Type of rock – Granite is an igneous rock, meaning, it is formed from molten lava deposits

Density – 2700kg/cu.m

Light coloured granites tend to be more porous than dark coloured granites. The effect of this is that lighter granites tend to absorb more water. Hence, while using lighter coloured granites, proper water sealer has to be applied on all 6 sides to ensure that water is not absorbed.(Water absorption will cause discolouration and marks to appear which will lead to a bad appearance).

Stages of Granite Processing –

1.       Rocks & boulders from the mountain quarries are extracted by blasting & dressed as stone blocks of suitable sizes.

2.       These blocks of granite are taken to the factory, where they are cut into slabs of required thicknesses by gangsaw or vertical cutters.

3.       These slabs are then polished to the required finish at the factory by machines.

4.       The larger slabs are then cut to the required sizes at the site, for laying in the required pattern.

TYPES OF GRANITES –

Granite can be divided based on their colours into –

·         White series – Kashmir white, Iskon white, China white, Ocean white etc.

Kashmir White

·         Pink series – Chima pink, Raw silk, Kashmir gold, Madurai gold, Kot casta.

Kashmir Gold

·         Green series – Hassan green, Paradiso green, Pista Green

Pista Green

·         Black series –  Jet black, Black galaxy, Absolute black

Black Galaxy

·         Red series –  Ruby red, Multi colour red, Copper silk

Red Multi Colour

·         Blue series –  Lavender blue, Vizag blue, Srikakulam blue, Blue pearl

Vizag Blue

·         Grey series – Sadheralli grey, Steel grey, May flower

TYPES OF FINISHED POSSIBLE –

· Polished finished - The granite is polished to a mirror like finish and should have a reflection of 95% when tested with a Glazometer

· Honed finish - This is a non-reflective dull sheen finish done by rubbing the stone with a series of abrasives.

· Textured finish - This is a rough finish which is the natural finish of the stone after quarrying.

· Flamed finish -  Flaming is done with the help of an oxy-acetylene torch. It creates a slightly rough finish & is especially used for stones used in the exterior, like pavements etc, to avoid slipping.

· Sandblasted finish - Sandblasting is done by forcing small particles of sand onto the stone surface at very high pressure creating a slightly textured finish.

· Chiselled finish - This is made by chipping off small pieces of stone with the help of a chisel and produces a very textured, heavy appearance.

NORMAL THICKNESSES OF SLABS –

10mm, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm etc.

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON GRANITES –

Granite prices range from around Rs150/sq.ft to over Rs.300/sq.ft

TYPES OF JOINTS POSSIBLE –

Granite can be laid either with Butt joint (i.e no spacing) or grooves can be provided between the stone slabs, which can later be filled with grout. Care to be taken that spacers of required thicknesses are to be used while creating the grooves, to ensure proper line and joints. This is to be included in the specifications itself.

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