The Amazing Qualities of Granite & Marble
Granite and marble occur naturally from magmatic rock formed in the Earth’s crust. It’s a slow solidification process that takes place over millions of years. Each slab possesses a unique natural beauty. Natural stone has been utilized by architects throughout the ages and is a popular choice among builders and designers. Slabs of granite come in a wide variety of patterns and colors and is appreciated by buyers for its hardness and property resale value.
Granite, which is crystalline in structure, always has tiny pits (spaces between the various mineral crystals). You do not see them on a larger piece because the overall appearance is polished and mirror-like. These characteristics are part of the natural beauty of the stone. They will not impair the function or durability the granite. Granite sometimes has natural fissures as well, which may look like cracks.
Because granite is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in blocks of no more than 10 feet in length, you may have one or more seams. The visibility of seams depends on the granularity, color, and pattern of the granite. With a small uniform grain, the seam will not be as apparent as a larger varied grain. A seam in a dark color will be less apparent than a seam in a light color. A dramatic pattern with swaths of color will show the seams more readily than a uniform pattern.
Simple Precautions & Maintenance Go a Long Way
All granite countertops and many marble countertops need to be sealed during fabrication since they are naturally porous and may absorb liquids. This may result in discoloring and staining. Taking simple precautions and performing regular maintenance can save a lot of trouble and cost. There are many commercial grade products available on the market that may bring the stone back to its original luster — Visit ESF Product Care Plan to learn more. Depending on how heavily the tops are used, this sealer may wear off. Its’ recommended that granite and marble be resealed once or twice a year depending on how heavily they are used. Granite may be cleaned with a mild phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dish soap, soap flakes, or powder.
Cutting on your Granite countertops will not harm your granite. In fact, due to the hardness of granite countertops, cutting on granite will dull your knives long before it is even slightly affected by such cutting. It is also perfectly fine to set hot pots or pans directly from the stove or oven onto granite.