Granite has been around for as long as 300 million years; it is one of the world’s oldest materials. Granite is a heat-resistant stone; you can set down hot pots without having to fear damages. You can find many different colors and granite styles, including pink, green, blue colors, and speckles and veining. It is a fact about Granite that it is one of the most comfortable natural stones to care for. You only have to clean and re-seal it; that is a simple process. Granite stone can add value to the home, helping if you want to sell your home.
Granite stone is a favorite among home remodelers because of many reasons. Because of their long life, low maintenance, and natural beauty, Granite countertops have been the top choice for kitchens for decades. Despite their popularity, there are probably many details you don’t know about this type of natural stone. Here are 11 interesting facts about granite counters.
Some Facts about Granite
1. Granite is oldest Natural Stone
Granite is truly a natural stone, came from beneath the earth’s surface. Granite has been around for as long as 300 million years; it is one of the world’s oldest materials. It is powerful and unique for its coarse-grained structure. Granite is a plutonic rock that forms from the cooling of magma beneath the earth’s surface.
2. Granite is combination of materials
Granite is made from a combination of various materials. It is composed of feldspar, mica, and quarts. There are also some other minerals commonly found in Granite, which determines its color and variations.
3. Granite is Seriously Hard Material
On the Mohs scale, Granite scores 8 that makes it one of the world’s hardest stones. (Mohs scale ranks minerals from 1 to 10, 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest)
4. Granite uses in famous structures
Granite’s uses are found in some of the most famous structures in the world. This Natural stone has been in use as a building material since the time of Ancient Egyptians. Mount Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty’s base are a few prominent examples of this ancient natural stone’s use. Granite helps create one of the United States’ first commercial railroad systems called the Granite Railway. It connects Quincy and Massachusetts with a dock. At this dock, granite was loaded onto boats and transported to nearby Charlestown. Quarries of Granite exist worldwide, including the United States, Brazil, China, and many other countries.
5. Granite can have fissures
Many homeowners mistake fissures for cracks. Fissures are naturally occurring separations in many stones that result from the natural geological formation. These minor tears do not compromise granite’s structural integrity.
6. It can damage knives
While you can chop vegetables or meat on top of your granite countertops, it is not encouraging that you do so. Granite is hard enough; it can damage any kitchen knives that cut on the surface. It is in your best interest to use a cutting board for chopping your food.
7. Granite can handle excessive heat
Ordinary sources of heat in a household do not affect the Granite. You can put hot pots and pans on your granite kitchen countertops without having to fear damages. Granite can easily resist heat up to temperatures of 480°F. Still use of trivets, and hot pads are in the interest of caution.
8. Different colors and styles of Granite
When one thinks of Granite, black granite, white granite, and grey granite came into mind. Granite does not only exist in these colors, but many more. Additional color options include beige, pink, green, blue, and others. You can find Granite also in many different natural patterns and rich colors.
If you are interested in buying Granite countertops in Boynton Beach for your home remodeling, SK Stones have a vast range available for you.
9. Granite is easy to care for
Granite is not a difficult natural stone to care for homeowners. The only proper maintenance you will have to worry about is cleaning and re-sealing, both of which are elementary processes. Always remember to use cleaners suitable for use on granite and natural stone. With most types of granite, you will only need to re-seal about once every year.
10. Granite can add value to the home
Granite is a highly desirable material by home remodelers with its ultra-rare luxury looks. Because of this, the natural stone can add value to your home – something that can be particularly helpful if and when the time comes to sell.
11. Granite is naturally porous
The porosity of stone is the measure of tiny, open spaces on its surface. Its measurement is based on the percentage volume of these holes. Like most other natural stones, Granite is also porous, making liquid and stains to pass through the pores. Spills and stains cause damage and discoloration to the granite surface over time. Proper sealing can prevent the surface from this damage.