Las Vegas- Marble and Granite have to be the two most demanded stones for those who insist on adding beauty to their architectural work whether it be Commercial or Residential. The demand for these fine natural building materials has steadily increased over time and still has an appeal unmatched today as the premium choice when appearance of elegance and quality are a prime concern, not to mention the ever-lasting looks and durability.

Granite is the by far one of the hardest natural products on earth and requires skill to carve by hand. Modern methods of carving include using computer-controlled rotary bits, rock saws, drill bores and sandblasting. Once polished, Natural Granite will maintain its high gloss virtually forever.  Normal use of kitchen knives, cutlery, and cookware leaves no scratches. Heat has almost no effect on natural granite, making it much safer than synthetic surfaces constructed with resins and polyesters.  Heated pots and pans will have no dulling effect on  Natural Granite’s lustrous finish, but the use of trivets is recommended to keep your Granite counter clean.

Granite Fabrication is suitable for many different applications:

* Polished Surface – low traffic indoor flooring, wall veneer, counter tops, vanity tops & decorative furniture.
* Honed surface – high traffic indoor/outdoor commercial flooring, wash rooms, side walks.
* Flamed or Brushed surface – external flooring, patio decks, pavements, side walks, curb stones.

Polished Granite is a popular choice for Kitchen Countertops due to its high durability and aesthetic qualities. Other uses include columns, door lintels, sills, jambs, and wall and floor veneer.

Granite Finishes

Granite can have four main finishes: polished (shiny), honed (matte), flamed or brushed (textured). The polished and honed surfaces are flat and smooth. The flamed and brushed surfaces are flat and textured. The polished surface is shiniest, while the brushed surface reflects the least amount of light. The back and sides have a sawn finish which is a rough surface texture to help adhere to surfaces.

A Honed Granite finish is recommended for a shower-stall application for ease of cleaning and resistance to soap-film and hard mineral deposit. There are different degrees of honed finish, from completely flat, low hone (smooth, but with no reflection whatsoever), to a medium hone (sort of a satin finish), to a high hone, which could be also defined as semi-polished. Flamed finish is a particular finish that is obtained by treating the rough surface of the Granite, in an alternate motion, with a torch and a hose of running water. The high temperature generated by the torch partly melts the surface crystals of the Granite and the cold water tempers them and “freezes” the shape obtained by the melting. The result is an extremely hard surface, rough enough, but not to the point of cutting.

Marble and Granite are not slippery when dry, not even in a highly polished form, but becomes slippery only after the surface becomes very wet (like most other flooring materials like ceramic tile and hardwood flooring).

Granite tiles can be used on shower walls. It is recommended to use cement backer board or hardy board with a waterproof membrane to avoid transfer of moisture. It is also recommended to seal the granite after installation to avoid water absorption and mildew formation.

Granite Sealing

Granite is relatively porous so it can get stained if a spill is not cleaned up quickly. Sealing the surface with a water-based sealant is therefore recommended to protect the granite from water and liquid that can seep into the porous material. Sealing can be done once a year or two depending on the usage of the surface. To test the Granite Surface just pour a small amount of water to the surface and if it beads the surface is still sealed efficiently and if it soaks in it is time for another application of sealent.

Granite has been extensively used as a dimension stone and as Flooring Tiles in public and commercial buildings and monuments. It has been used for building and decorative purposes  for centuries. Granites application for resisting wear-and-tear is one primary reason why it is ideal for  interior or exterior construction, whether it is for new or existing commercial or residential installations.

When used outdoors, granite’s mineralogical structure can withstand natures different seasonal weather and is not influenced by freeze-thaw cycles.

Please Call T&S Custom Flooring at (702) 372-7277 for an appointment we are fully Licensed, Bonded and Insured.