Granite is one of the trendiest materials in the construction of the house. It serves as the natural beauty that is quite different from the other natural stone. Because of natural beauty it gives richness to your home. There are many different properties of granite that makes it ideal for a kitchen countertop, bathroom vanity tops, pathway, cladding, etc. There are various properties of granite like durability, scratch resistant, heat resistant, porosity, etc. It is now popularly used for door-window frames, sill-jamb, etc.
Properties of Granite Stone
01. Is Granite Long Lasting?
Granite is the hardest stone, so it holds wear and tears very well. It works well in high traffic area like kitchen; it is not vulnerable to acidic substances like lemon juice, tomato sauce, alcohol and vinegar. If brittle items are dropped on the floor, probably it will break itself because of its hardness for centuries. These properties of granite will make it suitable for wall cladding, sill & jamb of door-window due to its hardness, smoothness, etc.
02. Can Granite be Damaged?
Like any solid surface, high impact blows can harm granite. Granite chip if subjected to sharp, hard objects. But repair is possible – chipping can be filled with a granite dust. Unsealed, granite can absorb stains such as oil, which can ultimately cause dark spots or discoloration. Its edges are sharp and blunt which may cause injuries. Hence you need to do chamfering, rounding, etc. which again is a very expensive.
03. Will My Granite Chip or Crack?
No, the granite shall not break, normally if it has adequate thickness. The base stone that the stone on which it fitted should be checked for proper installation and should be as level as possible. Otherwise, in order for the granite stone to crack or chip, it has to be hit with something very hard. Granite chipping occurs at the edge of countertop. Some Granite can crack during shipping and installation. However, normal use will not harm this durable material. Small crack can be repair by using granite sealer.
04. Should I Concerned About Bacteria on Granite?
Yes, as you should be like any other surface. We suggest that your granite countertops or flooring can be cleaned with anti-bacterial cleaner from time to time to kill any bacteria. Polished granite, even if treated with a sealer, isn’t perfectly smooth nor is it inherently antiseptic. It has many small crevices and pores that can become home for bacteria.
05. Does Granite Stain?
For the most part, granite does not stain. Granite has very low porosity. A few colours of granite may absorb some moisture with prolonged contact compared to others. For example, a puddle of water left on the counter, for some colours, may show a dark spot when the water is wiped away. Usually, no evidence remains once the liquid is removed and the granite dries. A granite sealer is highly recommended for all granite after installation. Granite stain can be prevented by quickly wiping the spill. If a spill is left overnight, especially if the liquid is grease, oil or coffee overnight, the granite will usually darken.
06. How Scratch-Resistant is Granite?
Granite is one of the hardest stones available. It cannot be scratched in ordinary use; even a knife blade will not scratch it. Under normal use, even cutting directly upon it, you will not harm the finish of your countertop. Unlike any other surface, granite will not lose shine. It can only be scratched by another piece of granite or with specially sharpened tools designed to work with granite like tungsten and diamond blades.
07. How Heat-Resistant is Granite?
Granite will not be affected by exposure to ordinary sources of heat in a household. To prevent possible damage, avoid extreme changes in temperature, such as placing something cold on an area of a granite right after placing something hot on that area. Granite is heat resistant up to between 150 ˚C and 200˚C temperature; damage may not be noticed instantly if this is done regularly, however after some time hairline cracks may appear which reduces the strength.
08. Is Granite Porous?
Some granite has the hardness close to that of a diamond. However, some granite which is more porous can be waterproofed during the industrial manufacturing process and or installation of these granites. In granite flooring or granite countertop, if properly not sealed, it can be porous to some extent.
09. Is Granite Slip Resistance?
Unpolished granite is not slippery when it is used in paving. Highly polished (glossy) granite tiles can be slippery when wet.
Based on the important properties of granite, it is considered as best future material for building construction. One of the excellent properties granite carries is ease in cleaning. Therefore it is the best choice amongst the house owner to use it in the kitchen. Thus, it plays an important role in keeping your house hygiene & ultimately good health.
