subject: So What Is So Special About Granite? [print this page] Do you have a favorite place in the world? Maybe you've been there. Maybe you're from there. Maybe it's the state you live in. When you select granite and natural stone for your home, you have the opportunity to tell a story, make a statement, make a connection, and express yourself. Through history or geography or just feeling passionate about the colors themselves, granites and natural stone can be your keepsake of a place that holds true to yourself, your style, your character, your personality...your story.
Granite's hardness and porosity vary depending on the region from which it hails. Some are very hard and dense and some are not as hard and are more porous. When you apply a penetrating repellent known as a 'sealer', the pours of the granite absorb the liquid which in turn repels food and liquids from penetrating the stone. This is as easy to do as applying furniture polish to your wood. It does not coat the stone, it is absorbed by it. This is the only 'maintenance' required for your granite countertops. The hardness of your granite and the type of repellent you choose will determine if you need to seal your stone once a year, every 5 years, or anything in between. Sealers are available through any stone professional or retail store specializing in stone.
Granite slabs come from blocks that when excavated from the earth are cut into either a 2cm (3/4') or 3cm (1 '') thickness. Since the blocks usually range from 7' in length to 11' in length, the slab sizes will range as well. If seams are an issue for you, keep that in mind when you make your slab selection. Good fabricators and installers are craftsmen. Often times the seams or joints are so tight they are difficult to notice. Often the movement in the stone overshadows the seam, and often the slabs will be large enough that a seam or joint is not required. Not all fabricators are craftsmen, so ask for references.
The movement, veining, size of crystals, and colors are geographically unique to the history of the region from which the stone is taken, the climate's cycles, and the shifting of the earth's surface. There are literally hundreds of granite colors to choose from. The prices are as varied as the colors. Availability, color, and country of origin are major factors that affect the price of granite. The natural movement, colors, and crystals of granite are properties that make every piece and cut unique, with its own story, character, and personality.
