From Quarry To Kitchen: Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are beautiful and durable and are a common choice for kitchen countertops for most homeowners

. These slabs of stone could withstand acid rain but using these as countertops requires constant maintenance. The life of granite countertops starts at the quarrying site. Mountains of granite get chopped off giant blocks to be sent to the factory.

Granite sections get measured first and then holes are drilled where explosive cables are inserted and set off to remove the measured sections from the mountain. These huge blocks are cut into more manageable sizes-about ten feet long, five feet wide, and five feet high as well. These smaller blocks weigh more than 45,000 pounds. These are then sent to factories that make different granite products including granite countertops.

The first thing factories do is a process called slabbing. The granite blocks are cut into slabs using a gang-saw which can cut the bocks into slabs less than two inches thin. While cutting the blocks into slabs, water is continuously sprayed so that the blades won't over heat. Slabbing could take up to three full days to cut a rough granite block. The next step is polishing. The unfinished granite countertops are subjected to abrasion. Nineteen polishing heads are used to polish the slabs-each one finer than the previous polishing head.

High gloss granite countertops pass through all nineteen polishing heads while medium gloss countertops pass through the first ten polishing heads only. Some slabs do not undergo polishing especially those used for non-slip flooring. These slabs undergo flaming. A propane flame with a temperature of about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit is passed through the slab of granite while water is sprayed to prevent the slab from cracking.

The propane flame allows the quarks in the granite to explode-creating a rough finish. After polishing, the slabs are cut to fit into your kitchen counter and are installed. Fixtures are added to suit your kitchen needs like the sink hole and faucet holes. Contrary to what some people believe granite is not porous and therefore would not absorb water. Also, granite countertops are resistant to stains. Moreover, these countertops do not require a lot of maintenance. Routine cleaning using mild soap and water is all it needs and also reapplication of sealants every few years or so.

by: Art Gib

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