Granite Atlanta by G&L Marble

Superior service and selection with over 200 varieties of granite in stock.
 

Granite Atlanta by G&L Marble delivers the finest in natural stone for tile and flooring throughout Atlanta and Georgia. There is a style and color appealing to any discriminating taste.

Come visit us and select your tile!

Showroom: Atlanta

Granite Marble Slate Limestone Travertine Onyx

Natural Stone Flooring Quartz - Masada Stone IceStone -"Green" Eco-Friendly Countertops Tile Mosaics

The showroom is stocked with thousands of slabs on display which customer can view and immediately reserve for purchase by the fabricator of their choice. In addition to kitchen counters, the Granite Atlanta showroom also has on display a large variety of tiles, mosaics, and trim pieces for floors, walls, or to simply compliment any existing or on-going project. Save time and money by speaking to a stone expert!

Slabs and Countertops
Granite Atlanta is by G&L Marble,which owns and operates nine granite quarries in Namibia, Africa, along with a processing factory in South Africa. The quarries produce approximately 25 color selections that are processed into slabs and tiles at various factories and distributed throughout Atlanta and all of Georgia. These colors can be seen in our showroom on Armour Drive in Atlanta.

Want to come see and feel the differences in materials? A stone expert is available at our showroom to help you make the most sensible decision.

Because G&L Marble, who brings you Granite Atlanta, imports and distributes natural stone from all over the world (including the United States), we have a great opportunity to be a part of an industry that has grown by leaps and bounds with improved technology and resources. Our showroom in Atlanta and our eight other U.S. city locations, and our global distribution network are the means by which we promote the ever-changing colors, finishes, and available sizes of stone to the public and the trade.

There are literally hundreds of slabs and colors to choose from. The prices for slabs and tiles are as varied as the colors. Availability, color, and country of origin are major factors that affect the price of natural stone slabs and tiles. Many granites are offered at the same price, or sometimes less than man-made products. The natural movement and pattern flow, colors, and crystals of granite are properties that even though attempted, remain unmatched by any man made surface.

Need help finding a good, honest fabricator? We can help you find one in your area.

So what is so special about granite?

A simple answer is every single piece! Whether it is a slab, tiles or any other dimension, you will not find two pieces exactly the same. Because granite is extracted from the earth in its natural form, each piece represents the earth's formation at that particular place in the landscape. This is what makes up the 'look' of natural stone. The movement, veining, size of crystals and colors are geographically unique to the history of that region, the climate's cycles, and the shifting of the earth's surface. Granite is millions of years old. If the crystals could talk, we'd hear quite a story...probably stories of dinosaurs and mammals, volcanoes and icebergs, pyramids and kings, earthquakes and tsunamis. How cultures began and how our ancestors survived. Without question, granite is durable.

Do you have a favorite place in the world? Maybe you've been there. Maybe you're from there. Maybe it's the state you live in. When you select granite for your home, you have the opportunity to express yourself. Through history or geography or just feeling passionate about the colors themselves, granite can be your keepsake of a place that holds true to yourself.



Granite's hardness and porosity vary depending on the region from which it hails. Some are very hard and dense and some are not as hard and are more porous. When you apply a penetrating repellent known as a 'sealer', the pours of the granite absorb the liquid which in turn repels food and liquids from penetrating the stone. This is as easy to do as applying furniture polish to your wood. It does not coat the stone, it is absorbed by it. This is the only 'maintenance' required for your granite countertops. The hardness of your granite and the type of repellent you choose will determine if you need to seal your stone once a year, every 5 years, or anything in between. Sealers are available through any stone professional or retail store specializing in stone.
Granite slabs come from blocks that when excavated from the earth are cut into either a 2cm (3/4') or 3cm (1 '') thickness. Since the blocks usually range from 7' in length to 11' in length, the slabs sizes will range as well. If seams are an issue for you, keep that in mind when you make your slab selection. Good fabricators and installers are craftsmen. Often times the seams or joints are so tight they are difficult to notice. Often the movement in the stone overshadows the seam, and often the slabs will be large enough that a seam or joint is not required. Not all fabricators are craftsmen, so ask for references.
There are literally hundreds of granite colors to choose from. The prices are as varied as the colors. Availability, color, and country of origin are major factors that affect the price of granite. The natural movement, colors, and crystals of granite are properties that even though attempted, can be unmatched by any man made surface.
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For hundreds of unique and beautiful selections of granite and natural stone, visit Natural Stone Atlanta ; info@naturalstoneatlanta.com ; 404-592-5597

How to install flooring slate

PLEASE NOTE:
Before you begin grouting slate tiles & only when the adhesive is fully dried should you consider the next phase, if you do not let the adhesive dry fully you may experience lifting of your slate floor tiles after installation, they must fully bed & the adhesive must cure/dry properly.
Before Grouting
Clean The Slate First
It is advisable at this stage to remove any debris or adhesive that may have oozed up between the grout joints or been left on the surface.
You are now ready for the next phase of the installation but before you can begin grouting slate tiles, you must first clean the floor & seal it. To do this you will need your bucket & large sponge
Begin by ¾ filling the bucket with clean luke warm water, then start from one end of the room wiping the surface of the tiles with a rinsed sponge, DO NOT saturate the floor. Depending on how dirty the slate tiles are I recommend that you wash out your bucket & get fresh clean water when it begins becoming dirty. Doing this enables you to have a nice fresh clean floor when the water has dried off the surface ready for you to seal your slate tiles.
You must now let the floor fully dry & I would recommend that you leave it overnight to dry at room temperature.
AN IMPORTANT TIP FOR YOU
If you have purchased Indian or Chinese Slate & especially Chinese Slate, make 100% sure that these tiles are fully dried before you seal them.
Ready For The First Seal
Your now need to get your small sponge roller & painters tray. Before grouting slate tiles you must seal them. So pour some sealer that you have been supplied with in to the painters tray & then lightly seal your slate tiles.
DO NOT over apply the sealer, try to spread it well with the roller, you should easily get 12 – 15m2 coverage for every 1 litre of sealer that you have, if it is over applied you will be left with blotches, so spread it evenly over the tiles but not to thick.
By sealing your slate tiles you are blocking the pours of the stone, this will then enable the grout to float over the pin head sized holes on the stone & not stick within the pours, the grout should now be easily removed when it is applied & you are now ready for grouting slate tiles.
A Tip For You
All natural slate or stone needs to be sealed, do not try to save a few pounds/dollars by cutting corners & not sealing your slate tiles prior to grouting slate tiles, you will be left with a hazy mist on the surface & you will find it practically impossible to remove, (TRUST ME, I HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN).
Grouting Slate Tiles
Now the sealer has dried you are ready to grout your slate floor, you will need a clean bucket, fresh water & your chosen device for mixing. Read the grout manufacturers label prior to mixing any grout.
Mix a small amount of grout in the bucket for your first attempt, it is better to mix to little than to much on the first attempt as you will get a feel for how much water you will need for your second attempt at grouting slate tiles.
A Tip For You
I am assuming you are a beginner at this so I would suggest that you aim to work on 8 – 10m2 at a time, between grouting & cleaning.
“Why? I want to do the whole floor in one go”, you say.
Because if you are grouting slate tiles by yourself, you will need to clean/wipe off as you go along, you cannot grout a whole floor in one pass, by the time you get to the opposite end your starting area will be drying & the grout is a pig to remove if you leave it on the surface for to long.
How To Grout
Apply the grout with your rubber float (as shown in Part 1 “Slate Flooring Installation”) along the grout lines, it is best to grout across the grout lines on a diagonal ensuring that the grout is well pushed in to the grout joints. By pushing the grout in to the grout joints you are removing any air that may be trapped, the air can cause hollows that can render the grout lines weak in places & may over time pop out if the grout is not applied correctly.
Remove as much excess grout as possible with your rubber float as you go, you will find it much easier to clean if you do this.
Now you have grouted 8 – 10m2, get a clean bucket of luke warm water & a clean sponge & start as soon as possible to clean the grout off the tiles, ring out the sponge before you wipe, do not saturate the tiles with water, it is best to wipe once then turn your sponge over to wipe with the other side, then rinse.
Use clean water for every 8 – 10m2 you grout, if your water becomes to contaminated with excess grout you will be forever cleaning.
A Tip For You
When cleaning the tiles, wipe over the grout joints on a diagonal, do not follow the grout lines with your sponge, you will remove grout from within your grout joints, lightly wiping the slate tiles on a diagonal causes you to keep almost level with the top of the tile.
Make sure you have removed all grout & stubborn clumps on the first clean, when you have cleaned the floor once this way, clean out your bucket & sponge ready for the next pass.
Repeat the grouting process until all the floor is grouted & cleaned as described above.
I now suggest you clean the whole floor again with fresh clean water & a clean sponge, I know it is hard work & you are tired but you will thank me if you do, the cleaner the floor the better it will look on the next phase of the installation process.
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Floor tile specials at Floor Atlanta
info@flooratlanta.com

Granite versus Radon

This information was prepared for you to distribute to your customers and others who have questions or concerns about the radon and granite issue. It is copyrighted by the Marble Institute of America, but may be reproduced, with credit given to the Marble Institute of America.

Solid Surface, The Journal of the Solid Surface Industry (Volume 1 Number 1) that was published several weeks ago, included an article entitled "Granite & Radon". The introduction to the article stated "Scientific research poses disturbing questions about the safety of granite countertops" and copies of this article have circulated around the stone industry raising questions about radon gas emissions from granite countertops. The key advertisers in this journal were Corian and Formica.
The MIA has called upon several of the country's leading scientists in geology and geochemistry to assist in preparing a response to the allegations in this article that radon gas emissions from granite countertops may be hazardous. On reading the article, our consultants reacted with such comments as "ludicrous", "a fabulous collage of nonsense", "politically motivated", "unethical", and "bizarre".
Donald Langmuir, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Geochemistry at the Colorado School of Mines and President of Hydrochemical Systems Corp., both in Golden, Colorado, has prepared a response on behalf of the Marble Institute of America that evaluates and refutes these allegations. His report appears in full in this Special Bulletin. Dr. Langmuir received his BA (with honors), and his MA and PhD degrees in geochemistry from Harvard University. He served as a geochemist with the Ground Water Branch of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Division and subsequently taught and conducted research for 11 years at Pennsylvania State University, with temporary appointments at Rutgers University, the Nevada Desert Research Institute, and the University of Sidney, Australia. Dr. Langmuir has been a full professor at the Colorado School of Mines since 1978.
In addition to working with Dr. Langmuir and other scientists, the MIA staff also talked with the major U.S. granite quarriers and producers about the issue of radon emissions from granite. These companies have certainly not ignored the issue and several have had radon testing performed on their granites. The research done for these companies have shown that actual levels of radon gas emissions from granites are so low as to be insignificant and generally represent no threat to the health and well-being of people who live or work in buildings with granite countertops, floor or wall tiles, furniture or any other furnishings made from granite.
Marbles, limestones and stones other than granites are of such mineral composition that they generally do not contain measurable quantities of radon-producing material. In terms of building materials, radon emissions from concrete, cement and gypsum could be of greater concern.

What is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring gas generated by the decay of trace amounts of uranium found in the earth's crust throughout the world. It is an unstable gas that quickly breaks down and dissipates in the air.
Radon is measured in units called picocuries per liter (pCi/L). A picocurie is one trillionth (10 -12) of a curie, which is the amount of radioactivity emitted by a gram of radium. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established 4 pCi/L as the standard for indoor air; 20 pCi/L represents the maximum amount of exposure to radium that is now allowed by U.S. regulations.
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Great pricing and selection at Granite Atlanta
info@graniteatlanta.net

Natural Stone Floor Warming Systems

One common occurrence with natural stone flooring is that it may feel a little cold to bare feet. While this may be a desirable feature on a sultry summer afternoon, it can be a slightly jarring wake up on a chilly winter morning.

Some easy solutions to this for many natural stone flooring owners include wearing a warm pair of socks or house slippers, or strategically placing about several throw rugs.

However, some homeowners with stone flooring are taking it a further step by installing a radiant sub floor heating system. Such a system consists of a series of “warming blanket” mats which are set just beneath the tile, resting on the sub floor. These mats contain electric resistance wires, which are hooked up to a 120 volt GFCI circuit.

Using an attendant thermostat, homeowners can adjust the amount of heat that is radiated throughout the floor.

Installation of a sub floor warming system is easiest if performed during the initial tile installation. This is because often the tile is adhered directly to the warming mats, to ensure that the system is as efficient at heat distribution as possible.

The heating pads should be installed directly onto a concrete subfloor. If the home has a wooden sub floor, it may be necessary to install cement board over this before installing the sub floor warming system.

Often, a small heating system can be wired directly into an existing GFCI circuit. However, if the total area being warmed is large or if the particular tile thickness requires more warming heat output, it may be necessary to install a dedicated circuit for the sub floor heating element.

A very important safety aspect for these systems is to be sure that the installer performs resistance checks on all of the wires to ensure these wires were manufactured properly and were not damaged during shipping. Installers should also follow any manufacturers instructions regarding power limits, installation, and use.

Some summary notes on the sub floor heating system for natural stone floors:

- sub floor heating system is not used as sole source of heat in rooms
- usually made up of a series of flat mats with electric resistance wires; mats warm up, and send heat through the stone floor tiles
- mats usually wired to a 120 volt GFCI circuit
- adjustable thermostat controls the heat
- mats laid over a concrete sub floor, do not install heating mats directly on wood sub floor
- adhesive added to mats to adhere to cement sub floor, then these are thinset to the tile placed on top
- perform a resistance check on the heating wires to ensure that they were properly manufactured, and weren’t damaged during shipping
- the size of the installation determines whether the system needs to be hooked to a dedicated GFCI circuit, or if it can patch into an existing one.
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info@flooratlanta.com
678.391.9147

Slate Flooring - A Popular Flooring Choice

Slate tile flooring is a popular choice for homeowners because it can be used in nearly every room of the house, as well as outside. It also offers a natural slip-resistant surface in areas that are expected to get wet such as a kitchen or bathroom. Besides being a safe surface, slate tile flooring is also beautiful. It's no wonder this medium is so popular.

What is it?

Slate tile floors are a great choice for homeowners who are trying to make their homes more environmentally friendly. They are a natural stone product that is durable and will provide beauty for years to come. Add in the fact that they help reduce slipping and are stain resistant, and they may be the perfect choice.

Choosing the Right Flooring

Choosing the right flooring can be a fun activity, if you let it. When you start looking at local do-it-yourself stores, go prepared with swatches or photographs. This will enable you to choose tiles that match your decor. If possible, go to the home improvement or flooring store to visually see and compare tiles.

How Much Does it Cost?

As with any other type of flooring you may be considering, the prices will vary. You can expect to spend at least $2 per square foot. If you're having the tile professionally installed, you'll probably need to add $5 or more per square foot to the price.

What are the Pros and Cons of Slate Flooring?

Slate tiles are similar to ceramic tiles in many ways. The advantages include being durable, naturally slip-resistant, and having a distinctive finish. The disadvantages include difficulty in maintaining grout between the tiles, and the grout not being as stain-resistant as the tiles. Another disadvantage is that it doesn't have any padding like carpet or rubber flooring.

Can I Install It Myself?

Choosing to install this flooring can reduce the cost of your new floor dramatically. Start with a level, solid under-flooring. Get any tools you may need and then follow the manufacturer's instructions. You'll have a beautiful tile floor before you know it!

Caring for your floor

One of the easiest things you can do to keep your slate flooring beautiful is to take your shoes off at the door; shoes can grind in dirt. Dust mop the floors often and then clean the floor with a damp mop, using warm water. Be sure to follow manufacturer's instructions if you choose to seal the flooring.

Choosing a new floor after remodeling a room is a big step. Your floors are an important design element, and slate tile flooring may be the right choice for your home. With the variety of tiles available, a beautiful slate tile floor is something you'll love.

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Every month we feature natural stone flooring at deep discounts.
Featuring: Vermont Shadow grey Slate
We offer the absolute best prices for high quality natural stone flooring for
kitchens and baths. The featured stone is only available while supplies last.
info@slateatlanta.com

Slate Atlanta

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Why Use Stone For Your Flooring?

Everybody wants his home to be well furnished not only for the sake that it will be pretty to show off to your colleagues but for the reason that you want it to be comfortable to you in relevance to your personality. There is a choice of a wide selection of materials to be used for your wall and house flooring. You can try out wood or a wide variety of ceramics. However there is a growing preference for stone because of its durability and timeless elegance. Granite, sandstone, granite, slate, limestone, and stone finishes are the commonly used to decorate homes.

Among these, natural limestone is the most preferred as it gives a more matt finish which suits the English home. Stone has traditionally been used for hundreds of years in English homes. It is common to see Georgian terraced houses in our great cities made from Portland Stone or fireplaces in rustic pubs made from Bath stone. Anyone who has been to the centre of London will have noticed the House of Commons which is made from Cotswold Stone sitting next to Westminster Abbey which is built of Portland stone. These materials have been quarried in this country since pre Roman times and it is a way of keeping a link with the past in current and contemporary buildings.

Natural limestone has the natural elegance and durability that fits designing not only a home but the most prestigious buildings. Most infamous buildings and homes are built from limestone. Aside from the elegance that natural limestone can give, this stone type can be polished, honed, brushed or antiqued. Moreover it signals individuality and luxury of style. Stone is also very durable and will be easy to maintain for any household. Stone can also be cut into cabochans to give the classic black and white hallway floors.

Unlike what most people believe, natural limestone varies in colour aside from the clean and common white colour depending on where it is quarried from. Common colours in the UK are the sandy golden colours of Lincoln, Cotswold and Bath. Also prevalent are Israeli stones and French materials. Of late Egyptian and Turkish stones have become more prevalent especially for use in bathrooms. Each of these materials have a different texture and detail.

It is now possible to age or antique stone to replicate the appearance of traditional flagstone floors. There is an entire industry in France which deals with reclaiming antique limestone and terracotta floors and importing them to the UK. In the UK reclamation is more difficult due to the level of preservation that exists on older buildings. It is also possible to stencil on stone and cut it to bespoke sizes for fireplaces, staircases etc which would add a touch of individuality to any project. Stone can also be used externally and is a practical material for any terrace / garden / patio. Due to the cost issues Indian sandstones are a particularly good choice for any external stone. However some people choose to use riven slate or other non slip materials.

(by Charles Margetts)

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WILD-WEST GREEN GRANITE KITCHEN COUNTER.
Incredible, rich colors.

info@granitecountertopatlanta.com
Granite Countertop Atlanta

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Granite Atlanta : Why is Granite An excellent choice for kitchen countertops, floors, and other heavily used surfaces

Exact and current extraction figures are not available, as data collection from many countries is difficult. Statistics from various sources indicate that the granite quarried in the countries of China, India, and Brazil comprises approximately 2/3 of the granite used worldwide. There are granite quarries in operation in dozens of countries, and it is one of the most popular natural stones on the market. New granite resources are continually being located and developed throughout the world.

Granite has long enjoyed use as an exterior cladding and pavement material, and its inherent strength, abrasion resistance and superior weathering durability are likely to keep it one of the preeminent material selections available to today's architects. Granite has also been employed as the traditional material for municipal curbs, where its strength and durability have been documented with decades of vehicular abuse. In the northern climates where snow melting chemicals are used heavily, granite has resisted the attack of these caustic agents.

Being one of the hardest of the dimension stone types, granite was historically avoided by the smaller, local stone fabricating shops, who favored marbles and limestones due to their easier working properties. A recent boom in the supply of affordable machinery and abrasives technologies eliminated these previous difficulties in fabrication. The use of granite has skyrocketed in residential interior applications as a result. Available in a striking array of colors, granite's durability, longevity, and economy make it ideal for kitchen countertops and other heavily used surfaces, including table tops and floors.

Some synthetic surfaces scratch easily, while the hardness of the minerals comprising most granites surpasses that of the utensils that are used on them, resulting in excellent scratch resistance. Granite is typically heat resistant up to temperatures of ±250°C (±480°F), although direct application of localized heat sources is discouraged, since strong thermal gradients within the stone can initiate cracking. Studies of bacteria retention on common countertop surfaces have proven granite to be superior to the majority of surfaces employed for that purposes (Ref: MIA Technical Bulletins).

Absorption rates (% water, by weight) of stones in this group range from 0.05% to 0.40%, indicating that the available pore volume capable of harboring a staining agent is very slight. Impregnating repellents are sometimes used to further reduce the stain resistance of these materials. Source: Marble Institute

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Sensational Granite Countertops for your kitchen.
info@granitecountertopatlanta.comGranite Atlanta
678-391-9136

Flooring Destin is launched to promote tile flooring Northwest Florida

Flooring Destin is launched to promote tile flooring Northwest Florida

G& L Marble announces the release of new Destin marketing campaign and website

Destin, Florida Feb16, 2009- G&L Marble, a Georgia based supplier, quarrier and distributor of natural stone tiles and slabs announced today the launching of “Flooring Destin” marketing campaign. G&L Marble is a privately owned operation located in Winston, Georgia and currently has 90,000 square feet of warehouse space that stocks granite, marble, limestone, travertine, slate and onyx that is imported from all over the globe.

The Flooring Destin campaign will be a multimedia operation that will include ad placements in various media supported with online promotions including blogs, articles and other online strategies.

The website, www.flooringdestin.com will be an interactive web portal that will make it easy for consumers and businesses to learn about the many options available for granite and natural stone flooring in Destin, Pensacola and Northwest Florida. The site will inform and promote the ever-changing colors, finishes, and sizes of tile available. The site will link directly to the G&L Marble inventory at GLMarble.com where visitors can search the actual company database. The site will also focus on promoting the wide variety flooring offered will give their home unique qualities. The campaign will show how granite is quarried directly from the earth and how its extreme hardness and mirror like finish make it ideal for floors.

The site and campaign will be will be managed by Panorama Press, marketing firm specializing in strategy, sponsorships and web development. "The primary objective of the Flooring Destin campaign is to inform the public and business in Destin, Pensacola and the Florida panhandle that the showroom is stocked with flooring including travertine, slate, limestone, marble and granite.” said Manuel Enrique Lopez “QuiQue” spokesman for Panorama Press (Marketing Atlanta). “We want them to know that the showroom also has on display a large variety of tiles, mosaics, and trim pieces for floors, walls, for any existing or on-going commercial or residential project.”

In addition to the Winston distribution facilities, G&L has 8 showrooms located in: Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA, Destin and Jacksonville, FL, High Point and Raleigh, NC, Birmingham, AL, Knoxville, TN and Savannah, GA.

G&L Marble owns and operates nine granite quarries in Namibia, Africa, along with a processing factory in South Africa. The quarries produce approximately 25 color selections that are processed into slabs and tiles at various factories and distributed throughout the United States, South Africa, and Europe.

G & L Marble showroom in Destin is located in 217 Serenoa Road, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. For additional information, go to www.granitedestin.com , email info@granitedestin.com or call 912-754-4100. ###

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Flooring Destin Email-info@flooringdestin.com

217 Serenoa Road, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459

912-754-4100