All you want to know about granite staircase

FT NEWS

Our home is not a stranger to granite. It is used extensively as kitchen counter-top, bathroom sink table or pathway and sills mainly because it is strong and resistant to heat and stain. It is expensive than ceramic or porcelain tiles, so not all can afford to have it to cover the floor. But if the house has staircase, imagine how elegant it will look when ceramic tiles end to making way for granite staircase rise to add elegance and make it the classy space. However, as a layman we feel lost when out on stone shopping. What to choose… how to install… what’s best for your home… there are many questions that need an answer. So to help you out with your endeavour, we have brought for you a few selected tips and basic assistance tips to guide you and help you choose the best for you.

Polished Granite on the stairs

Granite stone reaches the factory as large chunk of stone where it is cut in slices and pieces according to need and demands. The process of finishing, polishing being the most common one, to make it shine begins after the cutting and slicing is done. Polishing is along procedure and is done till the stone shine on its own and the surface becomes smooth. Final product is flat and shiny smooth and is most commonly fitted in kitchen, bathroom and of course staircase. However, granite is quite slippery so be careful while using the granite staircase. Make the edges elevated with longitudinal beads and keep the stairs dry to avoid any accidents. Though polished granite looks beautiful in all its shades, but black granite stands out because of its classy style.

Honed roughness of granite

The slice of granite is polished but is given a rough finishing and lacks the high degree of reflection like polished one. The desired result is obtained by using sand to make the surface abrasive but smooth and without scratches.

Brushed finishing of granite

Brushed finishing is achieved by treating the stone surface with steel brush which leaves it with smooth surface but a little rough and less shiny and slippery than the polished granite. It is ideal for outdoors and barbeque area, but not exposed to direct rains or wet zones.

For wet areas or complete outdoors, the best granite finishing stones are blasted and flamed.

Shot granite or Non-slip granite for outdoors

To make the granite stone slip-resistant, the stone is treated with sand that makes it rough. The final product is rougher than the levigado but less rough than flamed granite.

Bush hammered finishing on granite staircase

This finish is purposefully attained on small slabs of polished stones to make it slip-proof. The finishing is achieved by beating the surface with the tip of small hammers that leaves mini holes on the surface. The end result resembles naturally weathered rock with a lightly textured surface. It often makes the colour of the stone lighter.

Flamed granite on stairs

It is the most aggressive of all and is done by giving the stone thermal shock by heating the stone in intense heat under controlled condition and finishing process making the granite stone look rustic with a grainy touch and colour too changes. This finishing is best for outdoors and doesn’t become slippery even in wet condition.

Types of Granite stone

Granite is a natural rock but varies in composition and colour depending upon the area from where it is mined. In its natural form, granite is usually light coloured and has grains in the rock that are visible through naked eyes. It is formed when magma crystallizes below the earth surface; however, the granite we use in our home is made from quartz and feldspar. It gets its unique look from other minerals present in it. Though usually found in white, grey or pink, it gets its uniqueness from darker grains visible on it.

Most common light coloured granites in use are: Bianco Romano and Kashmir White.

Bianco Romano comes from Brazil and is extremely hard and has cream and tan grains. The pattern varies in each slab and hence it looks amazingly unique.

Kashmir White comes from India and resembles marble. However, its porosity is less than that of marble and hence can be used is staircase and flooring since there will be less chance of stains and water damage.

Dark-Coloured Granites

Darker shades of granite are ideal to highlight and guide the attention to the best part of the home décor. For dark shades we have granites like Typhoon Bordeaux (red colour), Costa Esmeralda (green and blue colour), and Absolute Black (black).

Straight finish installation

Finishing of installation also plays an equally important role in defining and maintaining the elegance of the stone. The most conventional type of installation in staircase is straight finish where the plate is placed on top of the steps. The corners are protruding and apparent through the finishing.

Half-square finishing

The edge of each piece is cut at 45 degree making it more defined and giving the steps a clean cut and makes it look like an aesthetic block of granite stone piled one over the other. However, it can increase the budget by almost 30%.

​Now comes the cost

The price of granite depends on its quality, finishing, installation and the region of its procurement. In India, the price of granite usually used in Indian homes varies from Rs.60/sq.ft to Rs.200/sq.ft.

Follow these simple tricks to save on money if you are planning to have granite staircase:

Often in the factory, the slice of granite once cut is branded ‘spoiled’ or doesn’t pass its quality control and is rejected. Take a look at those pieces and probability is there that you will find something lovely and good enough for your staircase. You will get good discount on these slices of granite.

To save on money, coat only the top of steps with granite and not the front of the steps. It will create an interesting mix and match design too on the staircase. You can use the combination of granite and porcelain too for it.

 

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