For several years, homeowners have realized how valuable stone can be as a building and decorating material. From granite table tops and window sills to countertops and hearthstones, they add granite, slate or marble features into their homes. All are beautiful, but even more important, they are durable. Slate and granite are often used as roofing materials too, following the example of some slate roofs that have lasted for hundreds of years. And another trend in recent years has been the increasing use of flooring slate.

Slate is formed under extreme pressure, so the molecules of the stone develop in parallel lines. This means both slate floor tile and roofing slate tile products are easy to produce because the rock splits readily into flat chunks. Some slate fades very little, while other types have a higher percentage of iron and calcium, and will therefore weather and turn slightly brown over time. Unlike the wide range of granite colors, slate is generally restricted to black, and shades of green, brown and red. But that isn’t really a problem for slate flooring, since homeowners don’t want their floors drawing all the attention, and are not likely to want elaborate colors.

The natural flat split of slate can be refined and shaped, so flooring slate can appear differently depending on the context. If slate chunks are left unpolished and slightly rough, they can be used as flagstones in a yard or garden. A slate tile wall, used for example in a bathroom, may use tiles cut uniformly, with sharp edges to create tight joints and the surface honed flat and smooth. In the same way, slate flooring tiles might be cut and placed uniformly, or they might remain in variable shapes and fitted together to form a pattern.

In these times, one advantage of flooring slate is its environmentally friendly nature. As a natural stone product, it doesn’t require either frequent repair or replacement. Slate flooring and roofing tiles both have a considerable life expectancy if maintained to a certain minimum standard. This fire-resistant stone can help make the home safer, increasing the value of the residence and potentially reducing insurance costs. As a clean, durable and naturally beautiful material, slate can be an environmentally friendly choice during renovations or in home construction.

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As you mull over your kitchen design or redecoration, consider the installation of a granite countertop for the kitchen, with all its many possibilities. If you’re trying to save some money and want to keep your existing design intact, with only the replacement of the counter, then there are enough granite countertop colors to accommodate you. On the other hand, if the budget is more flexible and you are already thinking of specific granite colors, it’s possible to work your whole design so that the materials and colors you choose for your cabinets and appliances can work around them.

You can run the gamut with colors and contrasts, depending on what cabinets you have. For example, in a kitchen where the cabinetry is white, you may choose a dramatic contrast in your granite countertop colors, by choosing something that’s very dark. For cabinets of deeper color, you might choose something dramatic, like olive green-toned Brazilian granite, or you might keep the tone dark with a countertop in black. A black countertop would also work beautifully with stainless steel appliances.

If your kitchen color scheme is very dramatic, then you may not want colors of granite that will add more overwhelming drama. What may be called for is something to provide a calm contrast, so a countertop in black or grey would be ideal. If you’ve done your kitchen in warmer or more neutral colors, then your countertop could have more of a brown tone. You can even find pink, green, or blue-toned colors if you’re willing to spend time looking.

The same principles of contrast or complement will apply to any bathroom planning you do as well. You may choose colors for your vanity tops that will either contrast with or complement your cabinetry. Here, of course, you’ll have to consider colors or style of the bathroom fixtures too. But you might also consider a slate tile wall to line the tub area or your shower stall, or the slate floor tile option.

Whether you want to use granite on the vanity in the bathroom or have a granite countertop placed in the kitchen, there won’t be many limitations at all. Every piece of granite is entirely unique, and each one will add drama to the decor. With so many different granite countertop colors, you’re almost certain to find one that works with your chosen design and the colors and materials of your cabinets and appliances. Be sure to consider granite as a possibility when you’re making sketches for your kitchen or bathroom design.

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When you begin your kitchen remodeling, look into the possibility of investing in a granite countertop. These are made from a stone that is not just durable and strong, but is available in a stunning array of colors and textures. A granite kitchen countertop can bring a touch of elegance to a room, or calm warmth, depending on the colors you choose. In practical terms, these counters are easy to clean, they resist heat and they can handle usage from a busy family with active kids. They can satisfy both ends of the design spectrum, as you can have a distinctive look with practical durability. Think of these advantages as you choose the elements for your kitchen.

Between the wide range of granite colors and the differences in internal graining, there is an almost limitless combination of looks you can achieve in your kitchen planning. For example, a black granite countertop with small gold flecks would add a dramatic contrast to all white cabinetry, while the same black counter, with cabinets of darker wood, may infuse a bit of smoldering elegance. If you’re not fond of the high polish and shine that many of these custom countertops exhibit, then you can easily acquire a honed stone instead, where the sheen is more natural.

Don’t necessarily stop with granite countertops in your kitchen remodeling. If you have a table in the room, or in an attached dining room, why not consider granite table tops as well? These can be quite elegant, and won’t be damaged as easily as other table surfaces. Or if you feel that granite is just too expensive, Corian countertops or table tops might be less so. This product, manufactured by DuPont, is said to resemble granite in both looks and other qualities. The reviews, though, suggest it may not be quite so durable, so that might affect your choice.

With custom granite countertops now being so popular, the range of options is wide open as you start on your kitchen remodeling. By now, every major home renovation company includes this stone as one of the available possibilities, and they will arrange not just the cutting of the material to meet specific design specifications, but will usually handle the granite countertop installation as well. If you invest in granite for your kitchen, you are not only creating a beautiful room, but something that will endure for a long time to come.

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