22

Oct

11 Interesting Things To Know About Granite Countertops

Granite is one of the most popular kitchen countertop materials. That’s a pure fact. It will be the favorite choice for many and for a few, they may be overrated. Anyways, following are some interesting things about granite countertops that should know.

Granite Is A Natural Stone

A natural stone is something that’s quarried out of the ground. Not a lot of people know about this fact of granite or granite countertops, but it’s a natural stone that makes these countertops such a treat for the eyes.

There is just something about a natural stone that’s so unique because no two slabs will ever be the same and there will always be something unique about each slab of granite countertop you have in your kitchen whether it be the mosaic pattern or the veining.

It Is The Oldest Rock

Granite is a very old rock. If you know anything about rocks and geology, then you would know that granite is quarried from a decent depth in the Earth. And the reason why is because it’s very old. The average age of granite that’s quarried for countertops is about 300 million years old. For reference, the asteroid that hit the Earth and killed dinosaurs was 65 million years ago.

So, it’s safe to say that if you’re choosing granite countertops for your kitchen, then they’re nothing less than a very precious artifact that can date back millions of years and that’s jaw-dropping when you think about it.

Granite Is An Igneous Rock

Another interesting thing to know about granite is that it’s made by the cooling and solidification of magma. Magma is the molten hot substance that’s found deep inside the Earth’s surface and once it cools, it can form rocks, granite being one of them, based on different compositions.

This process of cooling and solidification of magma to form rocks gives birth to rocks which are known as igneous rocks. So, in essence, granite is an igneous rock.

It’s A Latin Name

Have you ever wondered where the name “granite” came from? Well, to break it down for you in an easier way, granite is derived from a Latin word, “granum” which means “coarse grain”. If you think about it, the meaning of the word fits quite nicely with the properties of granite. Granite is a thick and coarsely-grained rock and it is rough and tough.

In fact, the name “granite” was proposed because of the very quality of the stone itself, which is quite interesting to think about.

The Composition Of Granite

A lot of people think that granite is a derivation of magma and that it is composed of magma. We also explained that earlier in this blog. Well, this is true, but let’s go a bit deeper this time. If you think about it, the composition of granite is different from what people think.

Granite is made up of quartz, feldspar, pulverized minerals, and mica. Quartz and feldspar are two main constituents found in the deep layers of Earth and feldspar is a main component of magma. Mica, on the other hand, is added to impart color to the stone, giving granite its characteristic color and appearance. There is a huge variety of mica that can be incorporated in granite which in turn can lead to different colored granite slabs.

Granite Countertops Are The Hardest

Granite is considered to be the hardest countertop surface material used in the kitchen. It has a hardness of 6-8 on the Mohs hardness scale and it’s pretty up there with diamond, the hardest rock on the planet with the hardness level of 10 on the Mohs scale.

This quality of granite is owed to the immense heat and pressure under which magma is cooled and formed into rocks and this is what gives granite its strength and durability. If you invest in granite countertops for your kitchen, then you can rest assured that they’re going to last you a long time.

The Countertops Are Durable

Along with hardness, granite countertops are also quite durable. Durability is a great feature of this rock and it’s one of the biggest selling points of granite. Granite, once installed in your kitchen, can last up to 60 years if maintained properly.

Durability is a huge deal for people and they want something that’s going to outlive everything else. Because granite is expensive and people spend a mini fortune on it, it’s only fitting for the countertops to last for a long time without any major problems. All you need to do is seal the stone every few years.

Knives Can Get Damaged By Granite

Granite is a hard material and while you can scratch it a bit with your knife, the rock will be doing a great deal of damage to your knife as well. Granite is known to ruin and break knives if the two things are always in contact with each other. A sharp knife can get blunt in no time if you’re constantly using it on the surface of granite.

This is why it’s advised to use a cutting board for any chopping and slicing because granite countertops can quickly damage your knives to the point of no return, and that’s quite something. And of course, the granite surface and the seal can be damaged by the knife as well if you use the knife directly on the countertop.

Countertops Are Naturally Fractured

The beautiful veining you see on the surface of granite, which is a major attractive feature of the rock itself is a fault. These are natural fissures and fractures present on the topmost surface of granite that are later filled with mica and give rise to an intricate veining pattern.

Granite, because it’s formed under high temperatures and pressures, can easily get cracked and form fissures on the surface. This is also what makes this rock porous, which is why you need to seal it to make it waterproof. Talk about an imperfection being this beautiful.

Heat Resistant Countertops

Granite countertops are also quite resistant to heat. Since they’re made inside the Earth where temperatures are higher than in any man-made furnace, granite can sustain high degrees of temperature without getting damaged and that’s a great quality. Heat resistance is important to think about when getting countertops for your kitchen because there is handling of all types of food on the countertops and you’re not always careful or mindful about not putting hot things on the countertop surface.

With granite countertops, you don’t need to worry about anything, because it’s going to sustain the high cooking temperatures and your countertops will always remain good as new. But to protect your countertop, don’t get carried away by the fact that granite is an ingenious rock and don’t put hot pans directly on the countertop.

Adds Value To Your Home

If you have granite countertops in your kitchen and you’re thinking about selling the house, then be prepared to get a lot of offers that will sound too good to be true. Granite is one of the few materials that can add value to your house.

It is an extremely popular material among people and they will appreciate the fact that the kitchen of the house they’re trying to buy already has granite countertops. You will get a good deal for your house.

Conclusion

Granite is a durable countertop material and it’s loved by the masses. These interesting things will surely pique your interest in this material. And if you want to see it in your kitchen, well, get in touch with granite installers Potomac.

09

Sep

Shattering Common Misconceptions About Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are wonderful for the kitchen, but there are a couple of misconceptions and myths about them that could affect its reputation. We are here to shatter the misconceptions with facts so anyone who wants to choose granite countertops doesn’t have to fear the things that just aren’t true.

Misconception #1: Granite Is Unsafe

Unsanitary countertops are not appealing to anyone, but granite has had a misconception for a while now, that its surfaces are breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. That’s far from the truth. While granite may be porous, it doesn’t house bacteria on its surface. If you seal the countertops, then this issue is long forgotten as well.

Regardless, granite and other durable stones are not going to contaminate your food and cause health issues in the future as long as you keep resealing the natural stone after every few years. It may be a hassle for some, but most people think that it’s worth it. If sealing is an issue, you can opt for quartz countertops that don’t require sealing.

Misconception #2: Granite Can Never Break

Durability is one of the key selling points of granite and it’s a very smart marketing tactic a lot of retailers use to get people to buy granite countertops. While granite is a strong material, it certainly doesn’t mean that it’s going to last forever.

Yes, it can last a good chunk of time, about 5 to 15 years, but there will come a point when the slabs are just too old and cracked that you’ll have no choice but to replace them eventually. This is true for most countertop materials.

Misconception #3: It’s Expensive

Granite, at first glance, can seem pretty expensive, and while that’s still a valid debate, there are a lot of other materials that exceed the price of granite. Considering that granite is reasonably durable and popular, it’s not as expensive as you think. Rather, it’s one of the cheaper options as far as natural stones are concerned.

Granite countertops are an investment but add to that the amazing durability and the fact that it increases the value of your property, it makes up for the cost.

Misconception #4: Granite Is Difficult To Maintain

This is considered to be one of the biggest disadvantages of buying granite countertops for your kitchen. People assume that they’ll need to slave over these countertops in the name of maintenance, but that’s not the case.

Yes, these countertops do need to be sealed and that’s non-negotiable, but that doesn’t imply that granite is high-maintenance. You can clean the surfaces with a regular countertop cleaner or even a soap and water solution and as for annual maintenance, resealing and polish is more than enough to make your countertops look beautiful and pristine for years. There’s not a lot to the maintenance of granite as people assume.

Misconception #5: Darker Granite Is More Durable

This is another huge misconception about granite and it’s debunked with the help of some chemistry.

Granite is usually available in lighter and darker colors and while darker-colored slabs are more popular, they’re certainly not the most durable, as they’re marketed to be. Rather, light-colored granite slabs contains a hard mineral, pulverized quartz, which is also a durable and amazing stone that imparts more strength to them.

So, the next time you’re out buying granite countertops, try to go for the lighter colors because they’re stronger.

Misconception #6: Granite Isn’t Shiny Forever

This might be true for stones like soapstone and marble, but granite won’t disappoint you in the shine department. Granite is naturally shiny and it rarely ever loses its sheen. If the countertops are getting too old, then there might be some sign of dullness, but that’s also reversible.

All you need to revive the shine of granite countertops is some clear varnish or polish. You can apply it on the surface of the countertops and the granite will appear better than before (but may be not exactly like new if the slab is too old). So, if you’re worried about granite losing its shine within a couple of months, then don’t be.

Misconception #7: Granite & Marble Are The Same

Granite and marble are sometimes marketed to be the exact same stone. That’s not true at all. Marble and granite are two completely different stones.

Granite is essentially an igneous rock that is formed by the cooling of molten magma under high pressure. This is what gives granite its dark color and characteristic veining. Marble, on the other hand, is limestone or calcium carbonate that’s deposited either in the sea or in moist areas and then they are hardened to form huge rock slabs.

So, in composition, it is clear that marble and granite are nothing alike except the fact that both are natural stones.

Misconception #8: Granite Stains Permanently

Granite doesn’t stain a lot either. A lot of the time, people are scared that granite can stain like no other stone, and it causes permanent stains, but that’s not the case at all. Yes, certain things can stain the surface of granite, but nothing is permanent as long as you are vigilant about cleaning the surfaces daily and every time you cook.

Cooking oil and fruits can lead to some of the peskiest stains on granite, but they’re not permanent, by any means. If you clean the countertops daily and reseal it after very few years, then there’s no chance of stains.

Misconception #9: Granite Emits Harmful Gasses

There have been rumors floating around that granite emits one of the most harmful gasses and that’s radon. Radon is a carcinogenic gas that is highly dangerous for human beings to even be around, but does the rumor hold any truth? Of course not!

EPA has done a lot of research in this regard, especially when the rumor first came to the surface and it was found out that granite cannot emit radon because there are no reactions taking place within the stone to prove this theory. Granite is a highly inert stone that doesn’t emit any sort of gas or harmful toxin, let alone radon.

Misconception #10: Granite Is Getting Less Popular

The choice of countertop material is different for everyone but it’s wrong to assume that one countertop is getting more popular than the other. This seems to be the case with quartz and granite, where people may argue that quartz has the upper hand.

Each material has a unique appearance and design and each of them serves different purposes. Granite is still a classic and popular choice for a lot of people and it’s a cult-favorite. It’s not going “out of trend” anytime soon, so it’s better to get rid of this misconception for good.

Misconception #11: Heat Damages Granite Countertops

Heat is considered to be the biggest enemy of most countertop materials, but does granite fall in the same category as well? We all know that heat stains are ugly and extremely unpleasant, but granite is considered to be one of those few materials that can withstand heat to a decent point.

One of the main advantages of granite being an igneous rock is the fact that it can endure high-temperature levels without getting damaged. However, you should still not put hot pots, pans, and utensils directly on the surface of your granite countertops because it can still stain the surface if the pot is too hot or left on the surface for too long.

Conclusion

These bite-sized facts are good to keep in the back of your mind for knowledge because you don’t want to get side-tracked by hearing irrelevant things about granite countertops. Once you decide that granite would be right for your kitchen, consult granite countertop installers Potomac.