Granite floor and countertop usage has grown immensely in recent years. Part of its appeal is its beauty. This igneous rock comes in a wide array of colors and is infused with minerals, like quartz and mica, that lend a sparkling touch. What makes it an attractive building material, however, is its durability. It's one of the hardest natural building stones available and resists scuffs and stains, making it perfect for flooring.

To provide your customers the granite floor they desire while keeping your costs low, you should partner with a reputable granite floor provider. When looking to find granite floor information, take some of the following tips into consideration:

1. Request samples of a range of colors from your granite floor provider.
2. Order more than you think you'll need.
3. Consider buying your granite in slabs.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Have granite tile samples ready for your customers

Most granite dealers provide sample tiles upon request. These will give a better representation of the product than a catalog. Order these samples in a wide range of colors to have on hand for your customers' perusal. Also, granite is a natural stone, which means that no two granite tiles will be exactly the same. While the end result will be similar, color and pattern may vary slightly.

I recommend: MarbleMaster provides a diverse granite floor list. You can acquire 4 inch by 4 inch samples of their wide selection of granite tile for just a few dollars each. You can obtain similar samples of any of the line of Granitech's granite tiles for a comparable price.

Buy granite floor tiles in bulk

Buying large volumes of granite tiles will ensure that you get a price break and that you'll have enough tiles for your customers' needs. A number of suppliers offer discounts for bulk orders.

I recommend: StoneLocator.com offers factory direct pricing for any orders over 2000 square feet of slab granite or 5000 square feet of granite tile. BuildDirect offers large volume pricing for a wide array of their granite tile products.

Consider buying granite slabs instead of granite tile

Though this option is most often used when making granite countertops, it is a cost-saving option for any granite needs. If you have the time, space, labor, and tools available to cut your own tiles, this can provide you a cost-efficient supply option as well as the added benefits of being able to offer custom sizes and having the product available on site for customer examination.

I recommend: SLABCO Marble and Granite offers a wide range of granite slabs with samples available upon request. For even more options, Louis W. Mian offers overstocked granite slabs at closeout prices.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While granite is naturally stain-resistant, a granite floor must be treated with a sealer to reduce the porousness of the stone and give your customer the best result.
• •  Keep in touch with your granite floor provider to ensure the products that correspond with your samples are still available. Check your provider's granite floor directory often so that you can remove any discontinued colors or advise your customers of possible delays.