Granite

Introduction and composition:

Granite is a coarse-grained, light-coloured igneous rock formed by cooling down of molten lava under the earth's crust. This rock mainly consists of hornblende (black grains), mica (dark/ golden sparkly grains), quartz (round glassy grains), and feldspar (Opaque, prism-shaped pink and white), with minor qualities of mica and amphibole materials. They are known to have a phaneritic texture, meaning the crystal deposits are clearly visible without an observational aid for magnification. Taking a closer look at the mineral composition will give one an understanding of the pattern and colour of the slabs. Feldspar, abundantly found in granite, constitutes pink, grey, or reddish pigments. Quartz is a colourless, transparent mineral. Muscovite and biotite of the mica mineral family shed a reflective vitreous lustre. Amphibole mineral, hornblende, is dark in colour and has a prismatic appearance.

History of Granite Used in Ancient Times

The Red Pyramid of ancient Egypt from the 26th century BCE which is considered the third largest Egyptian pyramid has reported traces of granite stones surface. The Menkaure pyramid from the same era was built using blocks of granite and limestone. The great pyramid Giza from around 2580 BCE contained Red Aswan granite. The ruins of the Black pyramid from the reign of Amenemhat III had a granite polished capstone. Many large temples in Southern India built by King Raja Raja Cholan I were made of granite too.

Uses:

Granites are widely used in many objects we see in our day-to-day life. To name a few, they can be used in building countertops, stairs, shelves, monuments, kitchen island, pool coping and floor. These stones even have a historical significance as they were widely used in building monuments in places like The White Mountains, Mount Rushmore, Yosemite Valley, and The Stone Mountain. 

Natural Characteristics of Granite Worktops

Heat Resistance

Granite worktops are not affected or damaged by heat or heat-emitting objects like crock pots and pans.

Scratch Resistance

These are highly resistant to stains and scratches. Cutting directly on the work surface may leave metal residues that become difficult to remove.

Maintenance

They have easy and low-cost special maintenance if they are properly sealed. It is less likely for a granite worktop surface to be damaged easily.

Seams 

Large Kitchen islands or granite kitchen worktops can be installed without seams, but in case of small measurements and L-shaped kitchen counters, seams appear but they can be fabricated and sealed with Epoxy resin to give a seamless, smooth high-quality surface.

Durability

Granite kitchen tops have been widely used for interior and exterior applications since many centuries. They are extremely strong and durable.

Textures/ Finishes of Granite Worktop 

The four most popular finishes of granite worktops are polished, honed, leathered and flamed. For a better understanding, these finishes along with some others are explained below:

Polished Finish

This is one of the most common finishes for slabs. In this case, the quality of stone is highlighted well, which makes its colour and texture stand out vibrantly and gives a polished black beauty look to the Granite worktops near me  surface. The polished surfaces are easy to clean as they are sealed to keep any liquid from seeping in and moisture out of the stone.

Honed Finish 

A honed finish is also referred to as matte and buffed. This finish creates a smooth-looking surface as opposed to shiny reflecting surfaces. The honed finish is a preferred option for flooring as it prevents the threat of slippery surfaces.

Leathered Finish

The leathered finish is also called brushed finish. This type of finish is created by running diamond-tipped brushes on a honed slab surface. The appearance is assured to be sophisticated and natural and keeps the variety of colours in the stone intact.

Flamed Finish

A flamed finish is possible only for natural stone worktops and is popular among outdoor kitchen designs. In this case, the granite is heated under extreme temperatures that causes the grains in the stone to burst and change color. Due to this, the worktop has a rougher surface with a natural and faded appearance. Countertops with a flamed finish are usually color muted.

Caressed Finish

Caressed appearance is created by glossing up a leathered slab, which portrays it to be rugged and elegant. The advantage of the finish is the pores remain sealed while moisture and water are kept away from the surface.

Bush Hammered Finish

This normally uncommon type of finish can tone down the chromatic scheme of the granite to give it a naturally weathered look. This finish is prepared by punching granite either manually or by a machine at very close spacing that gives a texturised appearance.

Sandblasted Finish

The sandblasted finish is achieved by blasting the face of the natural stone granite with sand, giving a rough appearance and lighter colour.

Colors of granite worktop

Granite worktops can be found in earthy tones unlike quartz worktops. The exceptional durability of the robust natural stone is highly regarded by many across the world. Be it traditional, modern, or contemporary worktops, granites are the best option. Amazing variety of collections include Cosmic Black and Madagascar Blue. Both look stunning  in one`s home design. A classic black kitchen countertop is suitable for a traditional kitchen or a contemporary kitchen outlook. White granite worktops and Grey worktops are popular choices.

Application of granite slabs

Granites are more often quarried as dimension stone, a natural rock that is cut into blocks and slabs of desired thickness and width. The wide range of applications of this natural stone is Kitchen worktops, shelves, up-stands, kitchen island, wall cladding, flooring, backsplash, stairs, memorial headstones, and monuments. Granite worktops near me  are unique and never go out of fashion, they are elegant in appearance and suitable for all kinds of kitchen layouts.

Fabrication and Installation 

Granite Fabrication and installation are best advised to be done with verified professionals with the right technology. Our registered KBB network fabricators have the experience of installation and knowledge of the product to give the best results. Our KBB network offers planning, designing, and implementation of the design that perfectly suits to create your dream home.

Kitchen remodeling project

Remodel your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom by choosing a stylish contemporary-looking granite or traditional classic countertops surface. Each granite slab may differ from one another in colour and veining. This is because of the number of minerals that are deposited in the natural stone. Granite slabs is a natural material and one cannot find two similar looking granite sample slabs as their colour scheme and patterns are never monotonous. They are decided at the discretion of nature. If you’re looking for vibrant colours to add life to your living space, you should consider the range of exotic granites. The wide variety of red, green, golden yellow, blue, blue-green, turquoise colour schemes are perfect from our collection.

Maintenance for your Granite worktop

They  require a particular cleaning practice so the sealant does not wear out. To keep your natural stone worktops gleaming avoid using string and harmful chemicals, acid-based cleaners, or corrosive scrubs. Using Mild Soap liquid or pH neutral cleaning liquid and a microfiber cloth can get your kitchen or any granite surface to keep looking attractive, and last longer.

The sealant added to the granite keeps the spillage during cooking from being absorbed into the grains. Discoloration and marks are a threat,  thus an immediate wiping is recommended to prolong its life. Careless use of chopping boards can cause the sturdy stone to chip which could deteriorate a beautiful centerpiece of a Kitchen.

Maintaining a worktop requires regular cleaning, not only after meal preparation but also for placing handbags and briefcases, which can spread bacterial contamination easily. There is a need for everyday protective treatment cleaning with a soft cloth. Soap water that is formulated especially for black marinace granite slabs is ideal. It is advised to wipe out the soapy residue on the surface from forming a film over time. Avoid any temptations to scrub the stained surface, instead let a soft cloth and warm water wipe do the magic. Once you are done with the cleaning,  granite worktops near me it is important to wipe the surface dry using a microfiber cloth because any remains of water can dull the colour and may run the risk of discolouration.

Cleaning Watermarks

Watermarks usually disappear on evaporation but in case of porous material, the spill might result in a dark and discoloured area. They can be removed with a soapy liquid wipe followed by complete drying of the surface.

Cleaning Oil Stains

A good solution to take out those tough grease stains is to use baking soda and water. Remove the residue with a damp cloth and dry the surface, repeat the process for removing stains of large circumference and deep pigmentation.

It is always better to prevent the circumstances rather than fixing them, so be thoughtful of how you are using and what you are placing on the granite worktop. With time and attention, your white sparkle worktop will not only last for a longer period of time but also remain new and shimmery.