Tag Archive 'granite tiles'

Dec 01 2009

Clean Granite Tiles Last Much Longer

Granite tiles are very hard and durable compared to other types of tiles you can use for your home. No matter where you have installed granite tiles, they are sure to serve you for a very long time. But to further guarantee their endurance, you must take care of them very well. Here, we will be discussing the rather simple ways of how to clean granite tile in your home.

Because of their inherent durability, maintaining clean granite tiles is not that hard at all. If you have a granite countertop in your kitchen, just make sure you clean it after each time you cook. Wet a soft cloth and use that to apply dishwashing soap on the countertop, and voila! – you have clean granite tiles instantly.

There is one thing you have to know about granite tiles, though. Even though the rock itself is very hard and resistant to scratching, granite tiles are covered in a kind of sealant. This sealant give the granite tiles their shine and protects them from getting stained.

Acids are damaging to the sealant, and there are actually many common household chemicals that are acidic, such as cleaners, acidic solutions, hairspray, toothpaste, and perfumes. Acids can also be found in certain foods like orange juice, coffee, vinegar, and a lot more. It is vital to clean granite tiles right away when these kinds of substances are spilled onto the surface.

This is best done by employing the use of a sponge to soak in the offending substance first. Do not wipe it right away, as the spreading of the acid might aggravate the situation. Also, if there are tiny granules in the spilled substance, take extra care in removing them as well, to avoid grazing the sealant.

When wiping down your granite tiles, try to avoid using the acidic detergents or cleaners. Instead of ending up with clean granite tiles, you will just be helping in weakening the granite’s protective sealant. Instead, use those cleaners that have a neutral pH balance. There are also certain cleaners specifically designed for granite tiles. It may be more difficult to use these, though.

Even when you are certain that you have clean granite tiles all the time, and even if the sealant looks fine to you, it is advisable to reapply a coat of sealant about twice a year. When your granite tiles are installed in an area where there is much spillage going on, then you would have to reapply sealant more often. The frequency really depends on where your granite tiles are installed and how they are being used.

You can also find more info on Marble Granite Countertops and Clean Granite Tile. Kitchengranitecountertophelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Kitchen Granite Counter Top.

No responses yet

Sep 18 2009

Slate Tiles – Add a sparkle to your decor

Slate tiles are basically organic in nature which is unique to look at, and come in a wide variety of colours that are available in market. They are also having a fantastic texture that actually suits the home interiors which gives a distinctive appeal to the consumers.

Slate tiles are much more durable and require less maintenance. Due to their dark color, the dirt and dust that remains during the course of the day on them can be easily hidden. However, before installing them, one must either know the procedure, or hire professionals to do the same. Also, if an individual is planning for slate tile flooring, the area can be of heavy traffic and it must be chosen accordingly, as one of the most important steps before installing slate tiles flooring is the fact that they need to be polished well, and therefore become very slippery in nature. Hence, some kind of matting should be provided in case one feels that the floors are getting a bit too slippery.

Another thing to be considered is the thickness variations that occur between each tile. One must make it a point to check the overall spacing of the flooring and to ensure that it must fit to the spacing provided. Slate tiles are durable,  strong and easy to resist water and maintain. Even when there are any accidental spills, the same can be easily moped off. Also, it really feels cool and soothing when one walks on the slate tiles barefooted.

There are many such designs and colours of Slate Tiles that are available in the market. They are decorative, durable, and resistant with everlasting beauty.

The thickness variation of these tiles may vary from tile to tile. For the installation, one must always consult to the professional as they can suggest well about the thickness, color, its natural slip resistance etc. Slate tiles flooring can be used in residential as well as commercial interiors or exteriors for its versatility and aesthetic value.

The slate tile is also having some productive uses like the ease to install, and the varied workability, decorative color variation and natural slip resistance that make it a great choice to look good in the interiors.

Jason Colling is a renowned writer, who has written articles on various interior designing techniques related to floor decor. His articles focus on various uses of porcelain tiles , slate tiles , kitchen tiles and tile adhesive, slate tiles and adhesives.

No responses yet