Facts About Granite: Uncovering the Truth About this Popular Stone

Granite is used as a decorating material for various reasons, including its beauty, durability, and high quality. Granite is a popular material for kitchen and bathroom remodels because of its beauty and dramatic appearance and because it is a timeless focus in any area that uses it. Due to its durability, it’s also a material that will maintain its beauty for many years. Despite its popularity, you may need to learn the fascinating facts about granite.

For decades, granite countertops have been the most popular kitchen countertop material. Some of the granite facts are they are igneous, simple to maintain, originated from Latin, are one of the world’s hardest substances, can handle heat, and so forth. It also assists you in reducing costs. Granite is a popular material for kitchen counters and bathroom upgrades.

Granite increases the overall value of a home since it is easy to maintain and has a distinct, high-quality appearance. It comes in hundreds of natural colors, making it an excellent design feature for homes or businesses. Let’s look at 10 facts about granite rocks that you should be aware of.

Table of Contents

What Exactly Is Granite?

Granite is an incredibly attractive and durable stone. It is also stain and heat-resistant, as well as scratch-resistant. Furthermore, granite is available in various colors, giving it a versatile alternative for your kitchen’s style or color palette.

No two single granite slabs are the same; each has its color, pattern, and overall appearance. Granite is a naturally occurring rock. Thus Mother Nature herself serves as the inspiration for the color palette. The colors of this stone range from earth tones to more vibrant blue, green, and red.

Granite Fun Facts

Here are ten fascinating facts about granite that will undoubtedly surprise you.

Granite Is A Type Of Igneous Rock

Granite is created deep within the ground when molten rock is pressed between other rock slabs. Quartz crystals consisting of silica make up this natural stone. Large quartz and feldspar crystals emerge as the lava cools.

The greater the crystals, the slower the granite cools. Other mineral deposits in magma are responsible for the distinctive hues and patterns in granite slabs today.

Simple To Maintain

Granite requires cleaning, sealing, and polishing are all important facts about granite to keep it looking as good as when you installed it.

Wipe down your counters regularly with a formulated granite cleaner, seal them routinely, and keep them polished to enhance their beauty and help prevent water stains. You should avoid it when cleaning granite since it can destroy the protective seal.

Granite Has Cracks In It

There are fractures in this extremely hard stone. They’re called fissures, and while they’re not cracks, they sure look like them. They mix into the design and contribute to its rich, organic appearance.

These do not represent any safety or hygiene problems because they are not cracks. They will not “deteriorate” over time.

The Name Is Of Latin Origin

The Latin term “granum,” which means “coarse grain,” is where the word “granite” originates. The stone’s coarse texture gave rise to its name.

Granite Is Heat Resistant

Among many facts about granite is that it is among the most heat-resistant counter materials available today. This natural stone takes incredibly high temperatures and pressure to create. Pans directly from the stove or oven will not leave markings or stains on a granite countertop.

One Of The World’s Greater Durability Is Granite

Granite is hard to beat when it comes to countertops that can withstand almost everything. Aside from the diamond, few materials can cut or scratch granite.

Granite counters withstand potential damage without cracking or breaking. Granite countertops are durable and elegant click here to learn how palomino granite creates a timeless look. Use a chopping board when preparing meals, as the granite will blunt your cutlery.

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Granite Is One Of The Oldest Rocks

One of the planet’s oldest rocks, granite, has been present for 300 million years. Granite was present between 4.3 billion and 4.4 billion years ago, indicating the existence of continents.

Such ancient granitic rock has not been discovered; it has all been eroded or recycled. The ancient zircons are crustal granite remnants from Earth’s early days.

Use Of Granite In Famous Structures

Granite is more than just an attractive countertop material. You can use it to build iconic constructions such as the Statue of Liberty’s base, Mount Rushmore’s sculpted presidential faces, and the largest granite building in the world, the Spanish Palacio De San Lorenzo De El Escorial.

Granite Includes Radioactive Materials

One of the many facts about granite is, like many other natural materials, it also has trace amounts of uranium. This chemical emits a negligible quantity of uranium.

But unlike most other natural materials, uranium levels in some granite bodies are up to 20 times higher than average.

Granite Was The Inspiration For A Railway

Because granite is so important as a building and decorative material, America’s first corporate railroad was existing in 1825. Between Quincy, Massachusetts, and a dock on the Neponset River, the Granite Railway operated. The Bunker Hill Monument obelisk was built from the stone shipped by boat to Charlestown. What is decomposed granite stabilizer? Check out.

FAQs

What applications does granite have in daily life?

Granite is a well-known material since it is used to make many popular items and is the most prevalent igneous rock on the surface of the Earth. Countertops, tile floors, paving stones, stair treads, and cemetery monuments are some examples of these.

How can you know if the granite is of high quality?

Check by scratching the surface with a coin; if it leaves scratches, the polishing is of poor quality. The upper layer must be consistent, straight, and free of cracks, holes, and cavities. Place 3-4 droplets of lemon juice on the granite surface to test its porosity.

What are the downsides of granite?

Granite countertops are strong and durable if sealed once a year. If homeowners are careless with its maintenance, the porous granite can absorb grease, juice, and wine, making them impossible to remove. Bacteria can also breed inside granite if it is not properly sealed.

How old is granite?

Granite is the world's oldest igneous rock, estimated to have originated 300 million years ago. Granite is also a plutonic rock, forming deep underground.

Is granite flammable?

The basic answer is no; granite, a naturally porous stone, will not fire. It has a natural resilience to heat damage since it began as a liquid magma deep under the Earth and has been cooled and compressed over millions of years.

Conclusion

Granite countertops are an attractive, classic, and long-lasting addition to any home. We hope you feel better informed about your countertop choices now that we’ve covered fun facts about granite. Different minerals impact granite’s coloring, causing its colors to vary based on its geological origins. Granite is more bacterial resistant because it has fewer pores than other rock forms. Of course, it must be sealed and treated, but compared to other natural stones, it’s far simpler to keep clean and preserve. The substance is resistant to harm from heat and frost because of its density, toughness, and igneous origins. These facts about granite explain why it continues to be so popular today.

Also Read: Granite Edges Types