Granite
Counter Tops:
Questions & Answers
Where
does granite come from and how is it quarried?
Granite, is quarried at different locations throughout the world.
Hundreds of colors and patterns are available from several such
countries as Brazil, Italy, Spain, France, China, and The United
States. Typically, blocks are extracted from the granite quarry
located high in the mountains or sometimes underground. These
blocks, averaging 9 feet by 5 feet by 5 feet deep in size are
transported down the mountain to the fabrication plant. Once at
the plant, these blocks are either cut into tiles or slabs. Tiles
are usually cut to standard sizes of 12" x 12", 16" x 16", 18"
x 18" and 24" x 24". Tiles range in thickness from 3/8" to 3/4".
Slabs sizes usually vary depending on overall block size. Average
slab sizes are usually 9 feet by 5 feet and are typically 3/4"
(2cm) or more in thickness. After the tiles or slabs are cut,
they are sent through a large multi-head polishing machine, which
puts a natural shine on the face of the stone using abrasive compound
bricks or diamond polishing discs. Tiles are usually beveled as
a final finishing step. Several other finishes can be applied
to the slabs or tiles at this time such as a honed finish or,
on some granite, a flamed finish. By far, the most popular finish
tends to be the high polish.
What
colors are granites available in?
Granites are available in a wide range of colors and veining.
There are beige colors, Emerald green tones, Reds, Blacks, Violets,
Mauves and a host of others. The color of the stone is dependent
upon what region of the world the stone comes from. Some colors
have been in use for hundreds of years; others are fairly new
to the market. Some stones are available in slabs and tiles; others
are only available in either slab or tile but not both. The size
of the quarry, its location, accessibility and demand for the
material will affect pricing. Labor costs in various countries
also affects material costs. Technology is not the same in all
countries, so beware of stones manufactured with inferior and
outdated technology. These materials are usually not difficult
to spot.
What should I know about color variation & veining?
When granite is purchased within the same lot or bundle, variations
in color and veining should be expected and considered. In this
situation, each slab or tile when viewed overall will look like
it belongs with the remainder of the lot. In most cases, bundles
of slabs are cut consecutively from the same block so as to keep
color and veining consistent. When granite is purchased at different
times or from different lots and bundles, extreme variation in
color and veining can occur. As quarrying continues, materials
from different sections of the quarry or from different depths
of the quarry can vary greatly. In certain cases, quarries have
run out of certain shades or the veining has changed so drastically
that current lots no longer match previous lots. For these reasons,
it is important to purchase sufficient quantities at the same
time or verify that additional material of the same lot is indeed
available for a later purchase. Being a natural stone, variations
from shipment to shipment or lot to lot cannot be controlled or
predicted.
What
can granite be used for?
Due to it's high density, acid resistance, low absorption rate,
and scratch resistance, granite can be used for a wide range of
applications including floors, fireplaces, furniture and kitchen
counter tops. One of the leading uses of granite is for kitchen
counter tops. Hundreds of colors and patterns are available as
well as numerous edge details to allow granite to fit in with
any kitchen design scheme.
Will
there be seams in my kitchen counter tops?
Granite is a stone and because of this, seams cannot be "melted"
together. There will of course have to be seams in a typical granite
project but if a quality fabricator and installer is used, these
seams will be minimized. The location and quantity of seams depends
on the project design and slab sizes. It helps to have some idea
of typical slab sizes during the design stages of a kitchen. Consult
with your kitchen designer or architect to layout your kitchen
in order to minimize these seams later on. Seams are normally
filled with a color matched polyester adhesive to blend as close
as possible. If seams are cut and filled properly, they will not
stand out and be an eye sore. If the appearance of seams is a
concern, please ask your fabricator/installer to see samples of
a typical finished seam.
Is the shine and surface appearance of all granite alike?
Not all granites are alike. Different minerals polish out differently.
Some minerals will not shine as much as the quartz and feldspar
found in granite. When shopping for granite, take a close look
at the shine and surface texture. Some granites have minute fissures
in between the various granules which is normal and will not trap
liquids or food particles. If this is a concern, please direct
questions to the stone salesperson or your fabricator/installer
prior to fabrication and installation.
How
should I maintain my granite counter tops?
The first and most important step is to make sure your granite
counter tops are sealed using a good grade, silicone-based, impregnating
sealer. A good coat of sealer will help prevent staining from
liquids that are spilled on the surface. A good stone soap or
stone polish should be used for on going maintenance. Do not use
abrasive cleansers or harsh ammonia based cleaners. If you do
not have access to stone maintenance products, a mild soap such
as dishwashing soap and water will suffice.
