Frequently Asked Questions

Granites to be applied to the facade are cut in accordance with the project in the factory, their anchor holes are prepared and shipped. During the application, a certain order should be followed and the stones should be put into place according to the project.

It should be remembered in facade coating that the material is a natural product. Natural materials may show tonal differences, companies specialized in facade coatings minimizing the tonal difference on the same facade by working on project basis to prevent tonal differences on facade and classify their productions facade by facade. Therefore, the classified stones must be used on the correct facades without mixing.

If insulation material is used in the building before natural stone, it is absolutely necessary to leave a gap between the granite and the insulation material, thus letting air in through the gap between them.

It is recommended not to fill the exterior joint gaps for ventilation of the building. However, if it is absolutely necessary to apply silicone, it is recommended that this silicone be a soft, qualified, elastic and suitable for natural stone.

Never apply protective tape on both sides of the stone when applying silicone. Because, after removing the protective tape, dust sticks to the tape’s remaining sticky part on the natural stone and gives the natural stone a dirty appearance.

FLOOR COVERINGS

In natural stone covering, there are two possible types of natural stone covering due to their thickness.

a) Mortar application to natural stones of 2 cm or more thickness;

This type of flooring is sized using slabs of 2 cm or more thickness. In this sizing process, the sizes are determined in accordance with the customer project or customer demand. Although it is possible to obtain granite of the desired size in this alternative, it is still best to make sizing with minimum wastage by comparing slab sizes and the area to be covered.

Natural stones of 2 cm or more thickness should be applied with mortared covering. If sizes exceeding 60 cm are preferred, natural stones which have thickness above 2 cm should be preferred.

If the area to be covered is a large area, large sizes should be preferred, because the size of the space and the selected size will be compatible with each other and thus provide a spaciousness.

b) Applying bonding with thin products of 8-10 mm thickness;

There are three standard sizes in these type of coverings such as 30x30, 40x40 and 30x60.

Slim products are assembled by bonding and their install is easy. Since it does not create elevation difference when it is installed on existing flooring by bonding especially in the places where renovation is made (such as kitchens, baths, corridors), it provides easiness.

The floor screed on which natural stone that has one cm of thickness will be installed should be made very smoothly. Slim products are very widely used especially in elevator floor and boat decorations because of their thinness and light weight.

It is recommended to make the application jointed on natural stone flooring. After the installation process, a joint filler suitable for the color of the natural stone can be placed between the joints, or a color that will create a full contrast can be selected and a distintive frame around the stone can be made, which will result in an appearance that makes the stone more visible.

Attention should be paid to followings regarding the surface to be covered:

The floor should be balanced

The floor should be crack-free and undamaged

The floor should be free of dye, paraffin and other construction wastes

The floor should be free of its moisture

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION

The sand to be used in all natural stone installation applications (indoors and outdoors) must be washed and sieved stream sand.

Sea sand or salty sand should not be used. Otherwise, the salt in the sand can rise to the upper surface of the natural stone when the sand dries after the completion of the installation process.

In light-colored natural stones, white cement should be used in order to prevent the darkening of the natural color of the stone.

When installing natural stones with wavy or crystal-like pattern, attention should be paid to the installation of these natural stones in a matching way, in special works, all natural stones should be spread in another place to match their patterns or should be numbered before they are installed in their place.

During the installation process, the bottom of the granite should be filled with mortar or adhesive, in a way that there no gap left under it.

One of the most important factors to be considered when working on a floor, which is in open area and has damp bottom, is the joint gaps in the floor. The joint gap in the floor should be minimum 2 mm and zero joint gap application should be absolutely evaded.

In zero joint gap application, since the joint filling material cannot reach the joint gaps, rain and snow water easily drains through the joints which results in their accumulation between natural stone and mortar.

The water accumulated between the natural stone and the mortar is collected in various regions which will result in enflorescence and the regions become damp and thus damaging the structure.

The water accumulated between the natural stone and the mortar darkens the natural color of the stone and causes a wet and unpleasant appearance.

Joint filler should be applied at least 48 hours after the completion of the installation process. The jonts should be cleaned with a damp sponge before filling. A plastic spatula is used to make an even and complete joint filling process. Half an hour after the joint is applied, the remains of the filler material is cleaned with a hard sponge without damaging the joint filler. 24 hours after the end of this process, the installed surface can be opened for pedestrian mobility.

Since it will be slippery with snow and ice, when polished natural stone is applied in open areas, hence the flamed, half-polished, sanded surface shapes should be preferred, instead of polished stone,

Within 48 hours after the natural stone installation process, it is necessary not to step and not to put heavy items on the floor where the installation was made.

Air must be dry and hot when installing outdoor natural stone flooring.

Joint filling should not be made immediately after the installation of the flooring in the place where the granite flooring is applied, the floor should be ventilated until the water of the mortar under the granite evaporates under the sunny dry weather conditions, the joint filling material should be applied after the granite has completely dried and returned to its original color

It is recommended to use joint filler intended to be applied by strengthening it with special additives (latexemulsion) which are applied in order to increase water resistance, heat-cold resistance and elasticity of the joint fillers sold in the market.

Joint fillers strengthened with additives should be applied several times carefully until they penetrate completely into the joint gaps.

In open areas, if the space under the surface to be covered is an indoor space, an excellent insulation and basement tanking system shoould be applied. Natural stones must be installed with joint gap and multi-grade joint filling should be applied.

Materials of water and heat insulation to be made between reinforced concrete floor and granit installation should be listed as follows. 

1. Btm derivative waterproofing

2. Extrude polyestrene foam waterproofing

3. Protective concrete

4. Cement based coating waterproofing (2 layers of coating)

5. Mortar

6. Granite 

One of the two most important factors to be considered in the application of Btm derivative waterproofing is the application of basement tanking process by installing the mattress laid on the floor on intersection point of floor-wall and 5-10 cm towards the wall.

The weakest points in terrace floorings are the points where the door sills are located. The tanking process should be continued at the points of the joinery as it does on the wall.

Today’s kitchens and bathrooms are not only places where meals are prepared or showered, but are considered as an alternative living and pleasure places. The best way to evaluate the time spent in these places is through the use of new designs and products where factors of contemporary designs, aesthetics, ergonomic, functionality, durability against time and use meet.

Granite is among these products and is used as an indispensable worktop material in kitchens and bathrooms.

The Excellent Properties of Granite Worktops and the Opportunities They Offer:

Aesthetic structure with rich color and texture options,

High physical properties compared to other worktop materials against impach, abrasion, scratching and heat,

Hygienic and functional surface properties such as high resistance to acids, cleaning materials and other chemicals, non-staining, easy cleaning, resistance to moisture and high humidity, long-lasting protection of brightness and reflecting light,

Undermount, flash mount and collapsed drip sink options, compatible with inset ovens and other accessories and high design capability with rich front profile types.

Granite is a natural material which has an easy maintenance and cleaning.

Finished productions need to be protected until the delivery. In facade works, there is no need for protection due to the vertical mounting of the stones, wheras the productions such as floor coverings and stairs should be protected with plaster layer laid on polyethylene cover.

It is easier to remove the materials such as adhesives, mortar, joint filling, etc. that are smeared or dropped on the stone during the installation of granite before drying. If it has dried without cleaning, it can be cleaned by using one of the commercially available chemicals in order to remove this stain from the granite. Following the end of the application, a suitable cleaning material is used.

In daily cleaning, it is sufficient to wipe with any household cleaning material or clear water. Granite should be cleaned with neutral cleaners with Ph value between 7 and 10. After cleaning, rinse the surfaces and dry them with a soft cloth. Abrasive cleaners such as acids and bleach should not be used.

Chemical should be applied to reveal the texture and color of the flamed granite. With this application, gathering of dust and dirt on granite are prevented.

In addition to processing granite blocks from its own granite quarries, Granitaş also processes granite blocks with a rich variety of color and texture imported from Brazil, Finland, Norway, Italy, Spain, South Africa and Portugal, where the world’s most important quarries are located and offers these with a wide range of products in a way that they appeal for all.

Granites, slabs, products with size and tiles have different thicknesses and thus their weight changes accordingly. The weight of the most commonly used 2 cm thick granite is, 60kg/ m&sup2.

Production of different thicknesses and sizes can be made in accordance with the project. The most commonly used thicknesses are 2 cm and 3 cm, and upon request, special production with 1 cm and 1.2 cm of thickness can be made. And in landscaping, 3-4-6-8 cm thick granite is used.

Coping: Front Mittering Polishing (ACP) , Herringbone, Drip

Stair: ACP, Herringbone (Full or Half), Thickening 2+2 Riser: Joint

Windowsill: ACP, Herringbone (Full or Half), Drip Baseboard: ACP, Herrinbone(Half)

Worktop: Herringbone (Full or Half), ACP, Thickening, Square Tipped, Drip Threshold: ACP, Herringbone (Half)

Floor Covering: Chamfering Mittering,

Facade Coating: Counterbore, Joint, Dovetail, Chamfering Mittering, Square Tipped

To prevent slipping on the steps, antislip band, flaming band, duct applications can also be made.

Granite surface processes offer suitable solutions for different places;

Polished Surface: In facade coating, indoor flooring, counter, worktop and decorative items

Honed Surface: In facade coating, indoor and outdoor flooring, stairways, thresholds, wet areas,

Flamed Surface: In outdoor installations, pavements, curbs,

Aqua Jet: In facade coating, outdoor flooring.

Because:

It is healthy,

It is hygienic,

It is dust-free,

It reserves the natural moisture in the environment, does not cause skin dryness,

It has no negative effect on children’s health

It does not raise dust or spread moisture,

It does not produce or contain germs, since its smooth surface,

It does not contain harmful and bad odors,

It is durable, because:

It does not get affected by detergents in a bad way,

It does not rot, does not seem aged,

It is scratch-proof and abrasion-proof,

It does not get affected by heavy things,

Its color does not fade under the sun,

It does not crack due to cold,

It does not get affected by high temperature,

It does not get affected by acids and beverages with lemon and cola in a bad way,

It is the hardest construction material in the world,

It is economical, because:

It can be cleaned easily with daily cleaning materials,

It does not need periodical care and polishing,

It preserves warm climate in winter and cold climate in summer,

It is economical considering total cost and length of life,

It is aesthetical, because:

It adapts to any environment it is installed, due to its wide range of colors and textures,

It offers many alternatives in terms of creativity, due to its richness in size and shape,

It is useful, because:

It preserves the indoor climate,

It does not stick to the building in facades, the build continues to breathe through the joint gaps between the it and the building,

It is used as decoration element,

It is fire-proof, prevents the spread of fire,

Is ecological, because:

It is a completely natural construction material,

It is only cut during the production phase and polished with abrasives,

It does not contain paint, chemical or external adhesives.

Nowadays, natural materials are preferred in all areas. Like the fact that it is healthy that the fabric of our garments are silk, linen, cotton, or using the same fabrics in curtains, furnitures in home textile is healthy, the artificial materials should be evaded and natural materials should be used in costruction materials as well.

Indoor

Wall coating

Floor covering

Stairs, risers and railings

Windowsill, doorsill, baseboard

Elevator and door jambs

Vanity tops and kitchen worktops

Tables

Counter, fireplace

Decorative items

Column coating

Outdoor

Facade

Floor covering stones

Stairs and risers

Tables and counters

Paving stones and curbs

Pools and fountains

Pillar railings and archs

Swimming pool coatings

Monuments and sculptures

Dressed stones for landscape arranging

Granite has a hardness value of 7 mohs (the resistance of the minerals to scratching is expressed as the mohs hardness scale). Granite is not scratched with metal or similar materials thanks to quartz, whose hardness approximates the hardness value of diamond according to the values on mohs scale, within its structure. It does not break and bend because it has a high abrasion resistance even in areas with intensive circulation.

Natural granite is a rock formed by merging of quartz, feldspar, mica and a number of other rocks and forming minerals in the depths of the earth during the geological formation periods of our world lasting millions of years and then rising to earth for different reasons.

Granite, which is one of the hardest minerals in nature, gains a very hard structure that is resistant to abrasion and scratches because of the fact that it contains quartz and its derivatives appropriately. It also allows to be used as decorative, long-lasting and solid construction material thanks to its texture having color harmony and formed by different minerals. 

As granite is the hardest construction material in nature, it does not have the disadvantages that can be encountered in other artificial materials and also it is healthy and long-lasting.

Recently, ceramics are also called GRANITE. Although its real name is ceramics, which is an artificial material, the term GRANITE ceramics is used shortly in advertisements. Since GRANITE is the hardest construction material in nature, it is put in front of the ceramic to emphasize its rigid and durable image, which misleads the consumer.

Natural granite is obtained from nature in blocks. Slabs are obtained by cutting these blocks via a cutting machine called gang saw. Although the slabs vary based on the size of the granite block obtained from the quarry, they are generally in sizes above 1,20x2,40 cm.

Granite slabs are generally 2 cm or 3 cm thick which is generally used and preferred, but it is possible to produce slabs in desired thickness according to project and request of customer.

A glossy surface can be obtained by obtaining granite slabs by cutting granite block and then polishing these slabs, in addition to this, if desired, it is also possible to obtain burned, hammered, sandblasted or semi-polished surfaces in accordance with the project in which granite will be used, in line with customer demand.

In order to prevent slipping at the edge of the stairs which have been polished, tape can be placed or the surface of the stairs can be roughened by burning - sanding process.

The slabs made ready by polishing and then they are sized according to customer projects, edge operations are performed, holes are drilled, made ready to be applied to the project and then packaged and transported.

The sizing process to be made by the slabs is performed in accordance with the project and request of customer.

Thin granites with a thickness of 1 cm; especially in the constructions to which a renovation is applied, provide ease of application by fixing them on the existing installation because they do not cause an elevation difference. Thin products can be calibrated and chamfered on all four sides of the sized ones.

Thin granites put less load on the building compared to 2 cm thick granites also on the facade and even provide granite facade coathing opportuniy even in buildings which are not suitable for granite due to its weight of infrastructure.