Granite is a natural magmatic rock composed of minerals like mica, quartz and feldspar. This rock is one of the most popular choices of both professional and enthusiast builders and remodelers because of its durability, stunning appearance and longevity. Given the fact that these rocks are naturally made, this means that all of them have a unique and authentic appearance that is hard to copy.

This is one of the most visually appealing types of natural rocks that also happens to be durable and long-lasting. It’s perfect for use both indoors and outdoors, which explains the reason for the use in bathrooms, patios, kitchens, gardens and more. Thanks to modern technology and machines, nowadays you can choose from a selection of granite rock products, with granite slabs and tiles being among the most commonly used types.

What Is a Granite Slab?

In case you didn’t know, granite slabs are charming, large pieces of stone that are mainly used in kitchens and bathrooms. They are one large piece of granite cut, which tends to be polished in order to form a smooth surface. They can be easily customized, which makes them perfect for being used for flooring, backsplash, countertops and wall cladding.

Given the fact that they allow for being treated with a machine, granite stone slabs allow for being polished for a smooth surface, however you can also find ones in leather, brushed, sandblasted, and bush-hammered finish. Practice shows that they are extremely easy to install and resistant to stains and scratches, which makes them perfect for daily use.

What Is a Granite Tile?

On the other hand, granite tiles are smaller pieces of granite cut into even shapes. Just like slabs, tiles are also designed for being installed on both floors and walls, which makes them a popular choice. Even though they are smaller and easier to install, it seems that it takes a while for them to be installed because they are significantly smaller than slabs and need to be aligned perfectly.

Comparing Their Features

Appearance

The first and most obvious difference between these two granite products lies in their appearance. Both of them have a distinctive and unique look, however it seems that granite slabs are more appealing than tiles because of their whole and more seamless appearance. While some people love the idea of investing in tiles, others hate the idea of having smaller pieces of granite in their homes.

Both tiles and slabs are available in a large selection of styles, types, designs and colours, so choosing the one that best meets your needs would be quite easy. The type of product you choose mainly depends on your personal needs and taste, so if you are after achieving a more clean appearance, you should certainly opt for slabs.

Durability

The product’s durability is just another important thing you should have in mind when choosing between slabs and tiles. The first and most essential aspect you should know is that slabs are way thicker than tiles, which contributes to their longevity and durability. This makes them the perfect option for any application, but especially for high-traffic areas like the kitchen and entryway. Tiles, on the other hand, are better for areas with low traffic and for wall applications, of course.

Installation

Because of the smaller size, tile installation is usually considered a one-man job. And while they are smaller and easier to install, quite often this can take more time especially when installed on larger areas. While it’s true that slabs are larger and heavier, usually they are installed by more than one person, which makes everything easier and faster. If planning on having a DIY project and want to install slabs, for instance, you should certainly ask for help for easier and faster installation.

Ease of Care

If you are a fan of granite tile, you might get a bit disappointed by the fact that they can get easily stained. These tiles have grout, which can get easily stained, especially when used daily, so cleaning them more often and more rigorously in case of stains will become your main job. In case you neglect this fact and don’t clean them regularly, expect food particles, grit, and other debris to get stuck between the grout and tiles. Slabs made of granite are way easier to maintain, especially the polished ones, because their surface is super smooth. In order to clean them, you’ll only need a damp microfiber cloth.

Cost

Considering the cost is another important thing you should take into account if you want to have a successful outcome. Choosing slabs isn’t only costly because of their size and thickness but also because of their installation. Given the fact that their installation isn’t a one-man job, this explains their initial higher cost but they more than make up for it with the low maintenance and durability.