How granite can be a feature in your home
Granite rock is one of the strongest igneous rocks found on earth. An igneous rock is formed by the melted or molten rock called magma. Commercial grade granite is intrusive rock, a type of granite that has been formed by cooling magma beneath the earth's surface. Granite is named for their granular texture. It has crystals that can easily be seen though quite small. The material together with limestone has been used in the building of pyramids in Ancient Egypt. The ancient pyramids are still standing which proves that granite is a very durable material. It could last for centuries.
Quartz, feldspars, potassium, micas, plagioclase and hornblende are the primary minerals found in granite. These minerals crystallize and open spaces are filled in by quartz as it's the last mineral to crystallize. It is the quartz that gives granite its durability. Quartz may appear gray but is it actually colourless but nevertheless reflects the colours of the other minerals surrounding it. Feldspar is white. The K-feldspars give granite its colour variations of yellow, blue, orange or pink. The hornblende mineral gives granite its classic salt and pepper look. Lepidolie gives off sparkle found in some granite.
Granite is a very general term that is given to rocks that has its texture and general composition. For example, granite found with considerable lithium could be called lithium granite. A granite found somewhere in Mourn Mountain could be called Mourn Mountain granite. There are probably thousands and thousands of granite found all over the world. There are also granites that have been wrongly classified. The rule of thumb to know the authenticity of granite is to look for crystals randomly scattered at an almost equal amount of quartz and feldspar and some K-feldspar, hornblende and mica crystals. This is probably a hard task for you so it is best that you buy granite from reputable sources to assure that you purchase authentic granite.
Why Choose Granite?
Granite is one of the most durable materials on earth. Once it is quarried then cut, polished and sealed granite is resistant to heat, scratches, etching, weathering and staining. The world's supplies of granite are mostly quarried from India and Brazil. However, there are also large quarries in Spain, Italy, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Finland and Norway. There are other countries that have their own local quarry sites but their productions are small that they are only for local use. Majority of the large quarries from India and Brazil, export their raw materials to other countries where the slabs of granite could then be cut and polished accordingly then sold in the local slab yards.
Granites are popular choice for materials in quality buildings today. Granite stone is beautiful and no synthetic tile could beat its aesthetics and structural qualities.
Uses of Granite in Homes
Granite stone can be used in bridges, buildings, monuments and paving. For home interiors, granite countertop is fast becoming a popular choice for new home owners and for people out for a kitchen or bathroom renovation. The popularity might be attributed to the fact that granite exudes elegance and high taste and good quality.
- Countertops - Solid slab granite are custom-cut and edge finished fitting any countertop size requirement. Granite tiles can also used for sink and its backsplash. There is growing base of contractors who are now qualified to install them. As a rule you can order your countertop slab from a local dealer and the company would take care of everything, installations included. Granite slabs are more affordable today.
- Wall Tiles and Flooring - Most high quality bathrooms use granite tiles for wall tiles and flooring. The granite stone used for such purpose are technically called gabbro - its granite, just the same.
- Wall Veneer - Granite blocks can be rough on all sides or on three sides and are suitable for exterior wall veneer. However, there are granite tiles that are finished on all sides that are used for window sills. Rough granite blocks are less expensive than the polished ones.
- Paving - Granite pavers can make any pathway or driveway interesting. Granite's inert beauty as a natural stone can be further enhanced by a complementing design. In the past granite was used in paving ancient city roads. Today granite pavers are used in small outdoor areas only as the material is still quite expensive and entails a lot of skilled work in lying out.
- Monuments, Gravestones - Granite is a favoured material in gravestones and monuments.
Different Colours of Granite
In India alone, there are about 300 colour of granite available from AB Black to ZM Grey with Shivakashi Yellow and Multy Red in between. However these colours are variants only for typically these basic colours and its gradation not to mention the types of crystals dominant in the granite. Some of the more basic colours of granite are: black, brown, off-white, yellow, rose, blue, green, and lavender. The rarest of all colours is rose because as base colour, rose is unusual. Variants have rose as base with black as a tone.
Maintenance includes the application of a petroleum-based sealer into the stone once it is clean and dry. The application should be done on a yearly basis. For everyday cleaning, the use of regular household cleaners is fine. However, do not use abrasives even if granites are virtually scratch-proof. Granite polish is fairly resilient and will not fade because of the chemicals in most household cleaners.
Granite slabs are still fairly expensive. However, the looks and durability of the material is definitely worth the price.
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