subject: Factors That Diversifies Granite Countertops [print this page] Countertops are one of the things that serve to be a dream of any woman who has a new home in her mind. Kitchen is a womans space and countertops tops the priority list bang on. There are several types of materials with which a countertop is made. From cheap to very expensive materials, countertops are being made. This has given rise to a variety in shape, color, texture and source material, which goes into the making of a countertop. Granite is said to be toughest of all marbles. It is one of the beautiful marble available in this world. It is abundant in existence. Granite countertop enhances the look of your kitchen but it is an expensive marble to afford for.
Granite cannot be grouped into specific types. Its diversity lies in its finish. Raw granite goes trough many engineering composites to produce the perfect finished granite that we see in the showroom. The beautiful stone is beautified more to give the mesmerizing look that granite boasts of. The following are the steps that go through in the making of the finished granite pieces;
Cut
When quarried pieces arrive at the cutting slot, they are sliced and then surfaced as per specific requirements. Depending upon the innate nature of the stone, their color and lines differ. This step prepares the stone for commercial expectations in terms of color and quality. When it comes to custom-made countertops, the client is expected to choose his preferred granite type in a showroom or at a stone yard. Then exact measurements are collected from him to suit the granite rock for his kitchen.
Honed
This process produces a rustic and opaque slab of granite. They are very porous in nature. This leads to the susceptibility of the granite to stain and dirt that it might encounter in the future. They are also muted in nature. It can be colored to enhance the look before producing the final product.
Polished
This process adds more shimmer and glitz to the countertop. Quartz crystals and feldspar are added to give sparkling effect to the already shimmering stone. The stone is the most preferred one in the upscale design market. It elevates the room where it is fixed. Kitchens and bathrooms are the most common areas where granite is used in abundance. If the slab is processed for a longer time in the polishing step then it has a high probability to last longer with more durability. Well-polished granite is easier to clean too.
Satin
This is a type of finish that gives the most of the natural look of the stone. It is in between highly polished and an unpolished one. Here texturing is done to add more variety to the stone.
Engineered
Natural stone along with resins, pigments come under this category. There are stones with varying thickness produced in this method. One special quality of this method is that it produces stones that are not porous.
