Granite is an incredibly versatile stone used for many purposes across different industries. It can be found in home kitchens used as countertops, or it can be made into iconic monuments. It is a gorgeous stone that is easily recognizable thanks to its unique appearance and signature speckled look.
To learn what type of rock is granite, we should do a deep dive into its origins, characteristics, and purposes.
What Is Granite?
Granite is a natural stone, and it takes millions of years for each slab to be created. Granite can be found in many areas of life ranging from countertops in residential properties to commercial purposes. Granite is one of the most functional and useful natural stones due to its many benefits such as its durability and resistance to heat.
Granite is made up of a mixture of feldspar, mica, and quartz. The combination of these minerals gives the resulting granite slab unique abilities and benefits that make the stone highly desirable among homeowners and interior decorators.
Granite is available in a wide range of colors and patterns. Although the most common varieties support beige, cream, and light gray tones, granite slabs with bolder and brighter tones and patterns are also available.
Granite is also a very strong material that can resist daily wear and tear without an issue. The interlocking crystals of granite ensure that the stone won’t get chipped or cracked easily. Similarly, its denseness is also a very big plus. It has a 6 in the Mohs Scale of hardness, making it one of the hardest natural stones used in home improvement. Its durability also translates to its longevity, granite can last for decades without needing replacement.
What Type of Rock is Granite?
To learn what type of rock is granite, we should first learn about rock types. Granite is a part of the igneous rock family, which is one of the primary rock types. The other two main rock types are metamorphic rocks and sedimentary rocks.
Metamorphic rocks are formed under immense heat and pressure, the heat melts the rock while the pressure compresses it. Sedimentary rocks form as sediments collect over time, and environmental factors pressurize the sediments until they form a single interlocking rock.
Igneous rocks form from molten lava, either under the surface of the earth or on the surface. Granite is a specific type of igneous rock that forms under the surface of the earth over millions of years. As granite forms deep in the earth, its cooling process is extremely slow. This slow process allows the crystals in the rock, such as quartz and feldspar, to grow large and interlock with each other. This tight interlocking is one of the biggest strengths of granite slabs.
The slow beginning of granite results in a stronger stone that can withstand high levels of heat, pressure, or other wear and tear. The origins of granite stones are tied to tectonic activity and the movement of the magma underneath the crust of the earth. In other words, granite isn’t just a rock, it is also a geological time capsule.
How is Granite Formed?
The formation of granite blocks is an important factor for understanding what type of rock is granite. The formation starts miles and miles beneath the surface of the earth, surrounded by heat and pressure. Due to the immense heat, rocks melt to form magma, often in places where tectonic plates converge.
When one tectonic plate is moved under another, the movement might cause the magma to be forced to the surface of the earth. Alternatively, the magma might also get trapped below the surface. The trapped magma starts to cool and harden through a process that will take millions of years.
Volcanic rocks form when lava erupts and cools quickly. On the contrary, igneous stones like granite take much longer to form. The slow cooling allows large crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica to grow and it is the reason for the characteristic patterns of granite slabs. Each of these ingredients contributes to the durability and beauty of the granite.
The depth at which granite forms also affects the characteristics of the unique block as it directly affects the levels of pressure. When granite is formed deep within the earth it has a denser structure because of the pressure. When it is closer to the surface and forms under less pressure, it will have a more consistent mineral growth.
Common Minerals Found in Granite
The perfect recipe for granite slabs consists of three main ingredients, which are mica, quartz, and felspar. When these minerals are combined, their unique combination and properties result in the gorgeous granite we know and love today. The unique qualities of each of them contribute to its strength, beauty, durability, and longevity.
Quartz is one of the hardest naturally occurring natural stones. It has a score of 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness and it makes up a significant part of granite slabs. It is known for its clear milky white appearance.
Feldspar is the most abundant mineral in granite and it is usually found in shades of white and gray. Felspar is responsible for the wide range of colors granite slabs are available in. The shade of feldspar determines the color of the granite block.
Last but not least, mica adds a slight sparkle to granite that gives it its unique shine and dimension. Mica appears in small shiny flakes. It is not only responsible for its beauty but also its resistance to weathering.
Other trace minerals can also be found in granite slabs. The addition of these trace minerals contributes to subtle variations in the stone. They are mixed into the granite blocks during the cooling process as the magma is solidifying. The exact composition of each granite depends on the location and the conditions it is formed.
Key Characteristics of Granite
The combination of its physical properties and functional benefits sets granite apart from alternative materials such as marble. Granite is known for its durability and strength. It is not only one of the hardest materials used in home improvement projects but also one of the hardest materials naturally found on earth in general.
Another standout feature of granite is its density. It is much heavier compared to alternative materials used for countertops. This density adds to its strength as it won’t be damaged easily due to sharp objects or pressure. Its density and heaviness might make fabricating and installing the stone harder, however, it is also a great benefit once it is installed. Despite its strength granite can be polished to have a highly glossy surface.
Granite is also UV resistant. Therefore, it is an ideal option for outside purposes such as backyard kitchenettes or decorative garden fixtures. Moreover, you can also use granite in kitchens and bathrooms that get a lot of natural sunlight. While other materials might get discolored under continuous direct sunlight, granite won’t be affected and it will retain its natural beauty.
Granite mixes a handful of amazing physical and aesthetic benefits that make it a premium material for residential and commercial properties. Each slab offers a different story with its patterns while offering a reliable surface.
Where Is Granite Found?
Granite is a very abundant rock and it can be found across continents in a variety of different countries, areas, and landscapes. It is most commonly found in mountainous regions where large granite blocks can grow and flourish. For example, Yosemite National Park in California, USA is rich in granite and is famous for its grand granite cliffs.
Granite can also be found in places like the Scottish Highlands and the Andes mountains. All of these examples have the common ground of being highly mountainous and they can showcase the natural beauty of granite. The large granite blocks often form the cores of mountain ranges.
The granite blocks that arrive at stone retailers often come from countries like India, Brazil, and China which provide the majority of the granite that is used in architectural projects and industrial purposes worldwide.
In urban settings, granite can often be seen as polished slabs and is commonly used in interior designs. Its durability makes granite a cornerstone of modern infrastructure. Moreover, its widespread use proves and highlights its importance.
Uses of Granite in Everyday Life
Granite is a popular and practical choice for home projects such as kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops, vanity tops, island tops, flooring, fireplace surrounds, and more. It is a great option for everyday use and its durability makes it a great option for areas that are used multiple times every day like bathrooms and kitchens.
Furthermore, its heat resistance makes granite even more ideal for such purposes, eliminating the worry of structural damage that might be caused by hot pots and pans. Thanks to its heat resistance, granite can also be used for fireplaces without suffering structural changes.
As mentioned, granite can also be used in outdoor areas. It can be used for paving stones and ornaments because of its weather resistance. It can withstand environmental elements without sacrificing its beauty.
Granite is also used in industrial areas because of its strength and durability. It is used in building foundations, bridges, and even the construction of roads. Its versatility is also a main reason for its wide use. Moreover, as it is an abundant material it can be used in large areas without risking its extinction.
What are the Cons of Granite?
Although granite is a very strong and dense stone, it has some weaknesses that might require some special care and attention. One of the primary issues of granite is its porosity. As a naturally porous stone, it needs an extra layer of protection in the form of a sealer to ensure its longevity.
Although granite is much denser than other stones, it still has pores, meaning tiny holes all over the stone that can allow bacteria and moisture to seep in and cause damage. This makes it vulnerable in the face of food particles and liquid spills which may cause stains, discoloration, bacterial growth, or even mold on the granite surface.
To combat these possibilities, granite should be sealed before use and resealed periodically afterward. Although resealing granite is a fairly straightforward process, it still costs time and money to buy and apply the sealer.
Granite can also be vulnerable to harsh chemicals, cleaners, and abrasive materials. Harsh cleaners containing acidic compounds can erode the sealer of the stone and they can dull the high-gloss finish. They can even cause damage to the stone itself over time. Therefore, it is best to avoid using harsh chemicals to clean granite surfaces and instead use mild dish soap and soft cloths for regular cleaning.
Caring for Granite at Home
Proper care of granite will ensure that it will stay both functional and beautiful for years to come. The first and foremost step of granite maintenance is sealing it. This will disallow staining agents or particles that can cause bacteria to seep into the stone.
Most granite countertops are available in a pre-sealed state, but it is essential to remember that they should be resealed periodically. In general, professionals recommend resealing granite countertops once every year. The period in which the countertop should be resealed depends on how much the countertops are used. You can tell when the countertops need to be resealed by noticing when it is starting to lose their shine and start to appear dull.
For daily maintenance use a mild cleanser that won’t cause damage to the countertops after continuous use. You can opt for mild dish soap as dish soap is strong enough to dissolve dirt and grime without being overly harsh. To wipe the countertops use of soft microfiber cloths and sponges are recommended. The combination of the mild dish soap with the soft cloth or sponge is ideal for wiping granite surfaces daily and it will prevent the accumulation of dust and debris over time.
In the case of spills, the best course of action is to wipe the surface as soon as possible to ensure the spill doesn’t have enough time to seep into the stone. Wiping with a soapy cloth and thoroughly rinsing the surface is your best bet to prevent stains or discoloration.
In short, granite is an ingenious stone that is commonly used in commercial and residential projects for both decoration and functional purposes. Its most common uses include countertops, backsplashes, vanity tops, and fireplace surrounds. Due to its amazing durability and strength, it can last for a long time once it is installed. Resealing annually and wiping the countertops using nonabrasive materials will help retain the beauty of the stone.
As one of the most popular materials used in home improvement projects, granite offers a wide range of colors and patterns. Granite will elevate the beauty and functionality of your home through its elegant beauty and practical benefits.
Reference: https://graniteexpoonline.com/blog/
