Granite has a rich history and is used in some of the most famous landmarks around the world. In this article, we’ll explore the facts about granite as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using granite for your countertops.
Let’s get started
All about granite
When you see lavishly furnished homes or public buildings, their floors are usually made from expensive marble tiles or stone slabs that have been intricately cut to create a variety of patterns.
But what if you wanted something more affordable? Something that would be durable enough to stand up to heavy foot traffic without cracking or chipping? Well, there’s an option worth considering: granite.
The earliest known use of granite in construction was around 3000 BC where it was used in buildings and furnishings to decorate temples.
Although it has been used for over 4,000 years and is found all over the world, not everyone knows as much about granite as they should. There are many facts about granite that you probably didn’t know: For example, It is a common misconception that marble and granite are made from the same thing.
However, this could not be further from the truth. Granite is an igneous rock which means it was originally formed by heat coming out of volcanoes but marble is a metamorphic rock that was formed deep underground through pressure and heat. There is a wide range of colors to choose from when choosing your granite countertops including white, black, red, green, and gold.
Granite comes in so many different colors that it is possible to match the color of granite with almost any kind of tiles you might want to use because there are matching tints available for each hue.
Using granite for your countertops
When ordering your countertops, granite is available in dozens of different shapes and sizes so it’s easy to find just what you need for your home or business. Granite is very strong, resistant to heat, scratch-resistant, fire-resistant, and more durable than many other natural stones like marble or limestone.
Granites are harder when they come out of the ground but over time and with exposure to the elements (sunlight, water) their color darkens which only makes them look better with age.
There is no maintenance required for granite countertops other than keeping them clean using soap and water. You should avoid acidic liquids as well because this can stain certain types of granite.
Also remember that although granite is extremely resilient under normal use, anything too abrasive can cause damage so use care when cutting hard things on the countertops, and be sure to never use anything sharp or abrasive. Read more on how to take care of granite countertops.
On the negative side, using granite can be a little more expensive than other natural stone countertops like marble or limestone. This is because granite requires greater amounts of time and skill to do it right and so usually you pay the price for that extra work.
Installing granite in your home
There are two common ways of applying granite as countertops:
1.Getting it installed by a professional.
This is an easier route but will cost more money. When done right, this method also provides better results because they have access to high-quality tools and equipment that you may not have at home.
For example, they can cut your countertop using a diamond-tipped saw instead of a simple band saw.
2. Cutting it yourself at home
Don’t let yourself be intimidated by the idea that granite should be installed only by professionals. Most people think that if something has been made into an industry standard, then it must require special skills and experience but this isn’t necessarily true.
There are plenty of tutorials on the internet for doing-it-yourself which you can utilize to avoid spending money unnecessarily and still get the job done.
This method is less expensive than getting a company to do it for you, however, does require more time and skill than simply waiting around for workers to finish everything (if you have some handyman skills then this will be easier for you).
First, make sure that the stone is stable because granite that has not properly set can crack or break during installation. Be sure to cut accurate lines as well because any mistakes here could mean replacing your countertops if they don’t fit the way you want them to.
In addition, you must be using the right tools for the job and follow all safety precautions when working with things like power tools.
Cleaning your granite countertops
There are also some misconceptions about how to clean it or what kind of damage can occur when installing them.
Here are some facts about cleaning granite that you may not know:
1) Granite should be cleaned with liquid soap, water (not vinegar), mild detergent, and even olive oil. Avoid abrasives such as steel wool, never use anything acidic on your counters, and don’t soak them in water either.
Topical oils will help protect them from moisture; this includes things like olive oil which has been used by professionals for years to protect granite countertops.
2) Some things can damage your granite: anything too acidic will remove the seal, sanding and scraping can cause damage and you should avoid using any oil-based or solvent-based products on them.
You might be surprised at how many people don’t know these facts and end up ruining their new countertops before they even have a chance to enjoy them. For example, using vinegar to clean granite is a common method passed around by people, but has been proven over time to strip away the protective seal.
Final facts about granite
In conclusion, granite is a natural stone that has been used for centuries in various aspects of our architecture and everyday life. Although it is more expensive than other countertop materials, people love the look and durability that granite offers.
If you like the idea of having your counters made from this beautiful stone but are wary about any possible problems, then don’t worry about it – as long as you take proper care of it.
Also, you can do it yourself and get just as good results as getting someone else to do it for you while saving yourself some money at the same time. Just remember that when installing at home you will need to have both skill and patience.
