Granite flooring, pros and cons

Granite flooring uses polished slabs of natural granite (a hard igneous rock), usually 18-20 mm thick, laid on a mortar bed.

Construction process

1. Clean and wet the base concrete; set levels and lines.
2. Spread a 20-30 mm bed of cement-sand mortar (1:4), stiff and level, and a thin coat of neat cement slurry on top.
3. Place granite slabs (soaked and cleaned) on the bed, tap them with a rubber mallet, and check line and level with a straight edge.
4. Keep joints thin (1-2 mm) and straight, or use spacers.
5. After 24-48 hours, fill joints with cement paste, matching the colour, or epoxy grout.
6. Cure for 7 days, then clean and buff with a polishing machine. Seal the surface if required.

Advantages

• Very hard, durable and scratch-resistant.
• Resistant to heat, stain and weather; suitable for kitchens and outside.
• Natural attractive patterns, easy cleaning, long life.
• Does not need frequent re-polishing.

Disadvantages

• Costly material and skilled labour needed.
• Heavy, so the structure carries more load.
• Cold, hard and slippery when wet.
• Can crack or chip if impacted; porous types may stain without sealing.
• Colour and pattern vary between slabs.