Understanding granite, if you are going to be using this hardy material in your home, is essential. Top granite companies can provide you with the best information, as well as tips on tricks on how to incorporate granite or other natural stones into your home renovation project.

 

What is Granite?

 

Granite is a natural type of igneous rock, meaning that it was formed from cooled lava or magma. Granite is considered to be a common type of stone and has had many uses throughout its long history. For instance, granite has been used consistently throughout the world within the fields of art and architecture, often being chosen as the ideal medium in these disciplines.

 

Today, granite's most popular application is within construction and interior design, specifically for countertops, wall and floor tiles and building blocks.

 

Granite is a highly-valued stone, therefore its use will add value to any space. Its aesthetically-pleasing appearance, unique characteristics (no two granite slabs are the same), as well as its durability, all contribute to the high demand of granite, especially by homeowners and interior designers.

 

The stone's unique aestheticism can be attributed to its integral structure.

 

Granite is comprised of many different minerals, allowing it to come in numerous shades ranging from light pink to black. The colour of each granite rock is dependent upon the mineralogy of the parent rock.

 

The minerals that are found within granite stones can be various colours, including black, white, pink and even clear. Typical minerals found within granite include feldspar, quartz and mica.

 

Granite can be found in various parts of the world and is mined from deep within the earth's crust. Countries well known for commercially-sound deposits of granite are Norway, Brazil, Spain and the United States.

 

What Makes Granite a Great Choice?

 

Granite is not only beautiful, but is also well known for its durability. Granite is said to be as strong as a diamond and is able to handle exposure to high temperatures, even up to 12,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Granite's aestheticism and functionality make it ideal for construction companies, home owners, interior designers, furniture builders and fireplace companies, just to name a few. Granite's most popular use however is for countertops, specifically in kitchens.

 

In comparison to other stones like marble, granite is best-suited to kitchen countertops because of its ability to handle hot temperatures and its resistance to scratches and general wear and tear.

 

Granite kitchen countertops are also easily maintained. All that is required is a simple wipe down of the countertop using a clean, damp cloth, preferably a chamois or a microfiber cloth, on a daily basis. For additional care, using a stone-cleaning product once a week is recommended, while re-sealing can be done once a year. Following additional care recommendations will ensure you get the most out of your granite piece, keeping it in top condition for years to come.

 

When planning your next bathroom or kitchen upgrade consult top granite companies for a building material that provides both beauty and strength and to find out about all the attributes natural stone can offer as upgrade solutions for your home.