When it comes to the construction and interior decoration of a residence, office or even a commercial space using natural stones like marble, granite, quartz, sandstone(exterior cladding ) and onyx can enhance the final creation in more ways than one. Natural stone in home has been one of the most desirable choices for centuries for obvious reasons like aesthetics, durability, and its energetic vibe.
By this cold day lets discuss some basic points about stone, that can be helpful for you and guide you for your selection , even if staying at home too. So lets not step out in cold day, just stay inside and have some basic details.
This post cover:
1. Where you can use stone in your new home
2. which one is good granite or quartz
3. Different type of tile selection
The infinite variety of colors, textures and finishes alone makes the use of natural stone in home interiors a perfect choice. We at Rameshwaram Marble provides an extraordinary collection of marble, granite and onyx in countless finishes that will surely leave you stunned. Each block is hand picked from different quarries globally. Each block is then cut and polished to the world standard 16, 20 and 30mm thickness.
We can help you make a one-of-a-kind choice based on your requirements, location and vision. Using natural stone for a modern home interior can automatically elevate the ambience and comfort level but it is of utmost importance to make the right selection for the right application.
Here are 5 different ways to use natural stone in home interiors:
1. MARBLE FLOORING AND CLADDING
There’s a reason for flooring and wall cladding to be some of the most common applications of natural stones in home interior décor. However, even these applications can be made extraordinary with amazing designs and a little help from Team.
You can experiment with different slabs of marble along with various colours and textures. By selecting and using the right natural stone for interior design, combining it with flawless craftsmanship your final creation can indeed be a masterpiece.
Natural stones are very strong, durable, and of course luxurious, which makes them perfect for designing furniture pieces like dining tables, cabinets, home accessories, and more.
2. KITCHEN COUNTERS AND TABLE-TOPS
Natural stone for home interiors is highly recommended due to its durability and heat resistance making it a good option for kitchen counters. Each slab is different and available in a variety of colours including off-white, ochre, grey, pink green or even black - can enhance the look and feel of your kitchen and dining room instantly.
Furniture has undergone a marble makeover too. The strong, sturdy and long-lasting nature of marble and granite makes it a great furniture material. A quality piece of furniture that will withstand time, while giving a luxurious and classy touch to your interior.
3. HOME ACCESSORIES
The beauty of your home can also be enhanced by using natural stone for décor items and accessories lamps, candleholders, fruit bowls, wine bottle holders and more.
Irrespective of your style, natural stone is suitable for all kinds of interiors, because of its ability to adapt. Adding marble into your interior is an expensive commitment. Hence, it is extremely important to make the right choice and curators at The Quarry Gallery help you do just that.
To know more stunning options for using natural stone for interior design, we insist you visit The Gallery of Rameshwaram marble.
Granite Vs. Quartz
To help break down the granite vs. quartz quandary, we came up with five categories to help show the differences between the two.
What is Granite?
Granite is a very hard stone and 100 percent natural. It’s mined from quarries all around the world, cut down to a manageable size, and then polished to a fine finish.
What is Quartz?
Quartz is slightly different in that it is not 100 percent natural. Instead, countertops are manufactured using 95 percent ground natural quartz and 5 percent polymer resins.
Now that you know the basics, let's see how they compare against each other.
1: Appearance
Granite
Granite comes in many different colors and patterns due to the way it’s formed (cooling and solidifying of molten materials). Whether you’re looking for a subtle complement to your kitchen or a standout slab with unique mineral inclusions, there is an almost limitless selection to choose from and no two granite countertops are the same.
Quartz
One of the main reasons quartz has exploded in popularity is due to appearance. Quartz has the look of stone while also allowing homeowners to customize the design. While granite offers many options in terms of appearance, you may have to search for the right piece that matches your color scheme. With quartz, the selection process is much easier.
2: Price
How Much Does Granite and Quartz Cost?
According to us, the average cost to purchase granite and have it installed can be low as compare to quartz stone . You can save money by purchasing the material from a wholesaler and doing some of the preliminary work yourself but the actual fabrication and installation of the countertops should be left to a professional.
3: Environmentally-Friendly
Granite
The only way granite ends up in your kitchen is if it’s quarried and that uses a lot of energy. If you opt for a high-end slab , for example, there will be considerable transportation involved. Try using indigenous stone when possible or visit salvage shops for pieces that can be cut to fit your needs.
Quartz
Since quartz is engineered, it can be more environmentally-friendly than granite if you use regionally manufactured stone and local fabricators. This cuts down on the distance the material needs to be transported.
4: Maintenance
Granite
Granite countertops should be cleaned daily with soap and water or a mild household cleaner. Some oils and acids can stain so do your homework first to avoid stains. To ensure the longevity of your investment, consider having your countertops resealed once a year.
Quartz
Like granite, you’ll want to clean any spills on quartz countertops with soap and water or a household cleaner, but that’s about it in terms of maintenance. The solid surface means that there is no need to have your countertops resealed.
5: Durability
Granite
Granite is a durable material that’s resistant to heat and many other kitchen elements. Due to its porous nature though, there can be some staining if spilled liquids are left sitting and damage can be done if your counter receives a high impact blow.
Quartz
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn’t porous like granite, it’s easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.
Types of Tile & Their Best Uses
While searching for style ideas you’ve probably come across hundreds of examples of glamorously tiled powder rooms, lavatories, or master baths, and wondered why there are so many different tile looks and options, and which tile is the best fit for your bath. Let’s dig deep into how tile for bathrooms is truly the best choice, along with the different materials out of which tile can be made.
BENEFITS OF TILE FLOORING
When it comes to quick home improvement projects, redoing your flooring is one aspect that can have the most dramatic impact. And no other material delivers a better rate of return on your investment than the enhanced value offered by installing tile. Whether you are considering adding river rock tile to your walk-in shower, or a new subway tile backsplash in your kitchen, the natural beauty of tile will enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home, as well as prevent moisture and other substances from causing damage to your subfloor or walls.
Design Versatility
Tile is available in many varieties of colors, textures, sizes, and materials. From pristine glossy whites to linen-textured sage green, geometric and modern to old world and rustic, tile is one of the more diverse decorative elements available. Perfect for high-traffic areas, like the kitchen or living room, or humidity-plagued areas like the bathroom, tile for flooring and walls are here to stay. Installing backsplash tile over the sink or stove in the kitchen can protect the drywall from splashes and spills while keeping your overall design in check. But do not think your options are limited for using tiles on floors or in the bathroom or kitchen alone: you can install tile in any room of your home, from creating an artistic subway tile backdrop in the front hallway to surrounding an ornate mirror with metallic-sheen ceramic backsplash tiles. The number of options you have for using the different types of tiles is limited only by your creative imagination.
Dry Mop is an Easy Way to Clean Tile Flooring
Easy Cleaning
While tile made from natural stone does require regular resealing, for the most part, tile is one of the easier to maintain flooring options as well! You could never wet-mop your hardwood floor, or sanitize your carpet with bleach, but with tile clean up is a breeze! Even if your dining room floor has been attacked by a team of toddlers eating (and wearing) spaghetti, cleaning tile floors involves simply sweeping up the muck, and wiping clean with warm, soapy water. If times get really tough, and your new puppy just can’t make it to the backyard in time, your tile floors can be cleaned and sanitized without getting ruined. Yep - tile is a great floor for dogs too!
Simple to Repair and Maintain
By using a high-quality grout and sealant (when necessary), maintaining most types of tile requires little, if any effort. High-quality grout prevents water from leaching beneath the tile and causing extensive damage. In addition, tile can be easy to repair. Whether you find a cracked shower tile or a warped backsplash tile, all you have to do is replace the tile in just a few minutes. Just be sure to keep an extra carton of the same type of tile on hand to make the replacement process fast. New Homeowner Hint: sometimes home builders or remodelers will keep those extra cartons in the attic for just this kind of emergency!
Rugged Durability
Why spend money on expensive hardwood, when selecting wood-look tile can keep on shining in a high traffic area of your home for years to come. Tile is not only built to resist the damage caused by extended exposure to moisture but can withstand most daily wear without breaking down. Think about the durability and longevity it takes to withstand the stomping of snow boots, kids in soccer cleats, and endless trips to bring in the groceries every week, and you have captured the rugged durability tile flooring.
Cool to the Touch
Did you know that floor tile possesses superior cooling properties? Tile is a natural room air conditioner in the summer, as the hard surface repels heat, and emits comfortably cool temps. The chill of a high-quality tile floor on a hot, steamy day will make every shower feel extra refreshing.
MAIN TYPES OF TILES
Ceramic Tile
Porcelain Tile
Glass Tile
Marble Tile
Granite Tile
Other Natural Stone Tile
Ceramic Tile
Because it’s a contender for a large number of different applications, ceramic tile represents a versatile and popular choice for tile in home improvement projects. Affordability and durability make ceramic the ideal choice for any room in your home, including the bathroom, kitchen, and front entrance. Glazed ceramic tile offers more protection against stains or damage compared to wood, carpet, or even vinyl plank flooring.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain is a finer example of clay ceramic tile. Made of a higher ratio of silica and quartz, and baked or fired at a higher temperature, porcelain tiles are more durable (and oftentimes more expensive) than their red clay ceramic counterparts. A wide variety of colors and patterns make porcelain tile a chameleon of sorts. Glazed, etched, and texturized, porcelain tiles can resemble hardwood planks, expensive marble, or industrial bricks. Keep in mind that a do-it-yourself project involving the installation of porcelain tile can pose a few headaches as the tile is a stronger and more dense material than ceramic, and requires a specialty tool: a diamond blade wet saw.
Glass Tile
Sparkling glass tiles are a glamorous choice for backsplash or shower tile. Compared to other tile, glass tiles possess the highest level of stain resistance, even impermeable to red wine and acidic lemon juice. Falling prey to one disadvantage, glass tile has a relative ease to chip and crack if an item is dropped upon it, so this product works best on your wall.
Marble Tile
Often considered one of the more expensive natural stone tile materials, marble is an elegant and bold choice, as it exudes a level of elegance and panache that is hard to replicate with other materials. Deeply veined with natural mineral lines, marble is created under immense heat and pressure -- and can take the heat and pressures of daily life extremely well. Perhaps no other type of tile can elevate a space to dramatically as marble tile. The natural stone delivers incredible depth and contrast, displaying a dazzling array color veining, and is naturally available in a multitude of colors, from green, gray, beige, white, black, and many more. When selecting marble tiles or slabs, be sure to inspect the material for any rough areas, as these may require extra sealing to protect against stains due to its porous nature.
Granite Tile
With its naturally appearing specks and flecks of color engrained within, granite is another natural rock tile used both in countertops as well as in flooring. Granite is significantly harder than marble and therefore less prone to chips and cracks. Being relatively waterproof, granite is also a fantastic choice for wet areas or countertops, as it will not absorb moisture or stains. Typically found in larger format slabs, granite is not a material for the penny pincher or the cost-conscious.
Other Natural Stone Tiles
Marble and granite are not the only natural stone options available for tile, however. Slate, limestone, travertine, and sandstone are porous materials, so if they are to be used for flooring inside your home, you will want to seal them regularly to protect against stains or discoloration. Nonetheless, these stones do make an optimal option for some of your other home projects!
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