What Is Granite?

Granite is a type of igneous rock that contains quartz, mica, and feldspar. It’s not easily damaged by heat, and it’s very hard to chip or scratch.

There are hundreds of natural color variations of granite to be found, and because it’s a natural stone created within the earth, no two slabs are exactly alike. Its uniqueness makes it a great asset to any home or business, and it automatically adds value to a space because of its distinct looks and high-quality composition.

Granite Maintenance

Granite is one of the simplest natural stones when it comes to maintenance, and that’s all thanks to its durability. There are some things you can do to encourage the longevity of granite, and those things include the following:

• Sealing your countertop
• • Periodically sealing your granite countertop prevents substances like cooking oil, red wine, grease, or other spills from seeping into the granite and leaving stains.
  •  
• Daily cleaning
  • Daily cleaning is easy with a sealed granite countertop. All you need is warm water, dish soap, and a soft cloth. Just remember to stay far away from harsh cleaners like Windex or cleaners that include acidic materials like vinegar and citrus juice, ammonia, or bleach.
  •  

Pricing of Granite

Since natural stones come in a wide variety of colors, that means there are a wide variety of prices that depend on the availability and supply of a particular color/pattern. To learn more about Stone Concepts, Inc.’s exact granite prices, get in contact with us, and we’ll be happy to go over them with you.

Common Myths Surrounding Granite

There are plenty of myths that have become generally accepted over the years, but we’re here to make sure the truth about granite gets out.

• Myth 1: Quartz is in, and granite is out.

One of these stones doesn’t have to be “out” in order for the other one to be “in.” It’s possible for both stones to be popular, and that is indeed the case. Which one you choose depends on your lifestyle and which material fits better into it.

• Myth 2: Granite and marble are the same stone.

Many people think that granite and marble are interchangeable, but they couldn’t be more wrong. These two stones are very different. Marble is softer than granite and requires more daily maintenance.

• Myth 3: Granite is a high-maintenance stone.

Granite is resistant to many things, including stains, scratches, heat, and chemicals. It’s one of the hardest materials that you can find, and it’s not easily damaged. Sealant is added to provide extra protection, which means it doesn’t involve much maintenance at all.

Fun Facts about Granite

Now that you know a bit more about the details that make granite the stone that it is, here are some fun facts that can help you get a more well-rounded view of the material.

• Fact 1: Granite occurs naturally within the earth.

Unlike man-made materials like quartz, granite is formed within the earth’s crust from cooling lava. After it becomes solid, large blocks of it are blasted out of mountainsides and sliced into the slabs that become people’s countertops. The different makeup of minerals within the stone is what determines its exact pattern and colorations.

• Fact 2: Granite is the oldest igneous rock in the world.

It was formed over three hundred million years ago!

• Fact 3: Granite is one of the hardest materials in the world.

On the Mohs scale, granite scores between a 6 and a 7. The hardest material, diamond, ranks a 10, and the softest material ranks at a 1.

• Fact 4: Granite can add value to your home.

Granite (and other natural stones) are desired by many home buyers out there. So, if you ever decide to sell your home after installing granite countertops, they can increase the resale value of your home because natural stone countertops are a selling point for many people.

• Fact 5: Every slab of granite is unique.

As we mentioned before, no two slabs of granite are identical. The specks, veining patterns, and colors of every single slab of granite are different from one another. This means that, essentially, you’ll have a unique piece of art in your home if you decide to go with granite.

Your Granite Countertop

Now that you know a bit more about granite, we hope that you feel informed enough to make a smart decision about whether or not to invest in it. If you’ve still got questions, feel free to contact us—we’ve got the answers at Stone Concepts, Inc.