|
|
Granite is very unique material in terms of its physical properties. Basically granite is very thermally stable, which means they change very slowly with changes in temperature compared to other materials, particularly metals. Granite is very hard, giving this stone excellent resistance to wear. Because granite is inert it do not require any type of coating (paint, plating, anodizing, etc.) for protection like most metals do. Due to the combination of these and other physical properties this stone material can be manufactured to very small critical geometry tolerances. Granite stone material is also excellent vibration absorber.
Granite is an igneous rock created deep within the earth from magma, cooled slowly under great pressure. It is the hardest stone after the diamond, with very dense grain. It takes a highly polished finish, which will endure even in inclement environments. There is a broad spectrum of granite colors ranging from nearly pure white to nearly pure black. During its formation, granite may also have been infused with other minerals providing patterned movement as well as color.
In natural hard surfaces like granite, a certain amount of "movement" or grain is usually expected. Many people find this flow and blending of colors to be the most compelling reason for using genuine stone.
The most common use for granite today is in building and remodeling projects such as vanity and kitchen countertops. The look, feel, durability, and re-sale value of a granite kitchen countertop is unmatched by any other solid surface material on today's market.
Granite is nearly always massive, hard and tough, and it is for this reason it has gained widespread use as a construction stone.
The Red Pyramid of Egypt (c.26th century BC), named for the light crimson hue of its exposed granite surfaces, is the third largest of Egyptian pyramids. Menkaure's Pyramid, likely dating to the same era, was constructed of limestone and granite blocks. The Great Pyramid of Giza (c.2580 BC) contains a huge granite sarcophagus fashioned of "Red Aswan Granite." The mostly ruined Black Pyramid dating from the reign of Amenemhat III once had a polished granite pyramidion or capstone, now on display in the main hall of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo (see Dahshur). Other uses in Ancient Egypt, include columns, door lintels, sills, jambs, and wall and floor veneer.
Many large Hindu temples in southern India, particularly those built by the 11th century king Rajaraja Chola I, were made of granite. In fact, the amount of granite in them is comparable to the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Granite has been extensively used as a dimension stone and as flooring tiles in public and commercial buildings and monuments. Polished granite has been a popular choice for kitchen countertops due to its high durability and aesthetic qualities.
Engineers have traditionally used polished granite surfaces to establish a plane of reference, since they are relatively impervious and inflexible.
Granite can have four main finishes: polished (shiny), honed (matte), flamed or brushed (textured). The polished and honed surfaces are flat and smooth. The flamed and brushed surfaces are flat and textured. The polished surface is shiniest, while the brushed surface reflects the least amount of light. The back and sides have a sawn finish.
Granite finishes are suitable for different applications. For example:
Polished surface – low traffic indoor flooring, wall cladding, counter tops, vanity tops & decorative items
Honed surface – high traffic indoor/outdoor commercial flooring, wash rooms, side walks.
Flamed or Brushed surface – external flooring, decks, pavements, side walks, curb stones, garden benches
Next to diamond, sapphire, and ruby, granite is the hardest natural product on earth. Once polished, natural granite will maintain its high gloss virtually forever. Normal use of kitchen knives, cutlery, and cookware leaves no scratches. Heat has almost no effect on natural granite, making it much safer than synthetic surfaces with polyesters and resins. Pots and pans heated to 900 degrees Fahrenheit will not dull natural granite's lustrous finish, but the use of trivets is recommended to keep your granite counter clean.
Granite is a highly dense material and relatively porous so it can get stained if a spill is not cleaned quickly. Sealing the surface with a water-based sealant is therefore recommended to protect the granite from water patches and stains. Sealing can be done once a year or once every two years depending on the usage of the surface.
Like any other smooth surface floor, the polished surface of a granite bathroom floor can be slippery if it gets a lot of water and is walked on with improper footwear. A honed granite surface is therefore recommended for bathrooms. |
|
