Granite
Granite
is a hard, coarse-grained rock that makes up a large part of every
continent. Granite contains three main minerals - quartz, alkali
feldspar, and plagioclase feldspar. These minerals make granite
white, pink, or light grey. Granite also contains small amounts
of dark brown, dark-green, or black minerals, such as hornblende
and biotite mica. The grains of the minerals in granite are large
enough that they can easily be distinguished.
The minerals in granite are interlocked like the pieces of a jigsaw
puzzle. Consequently, granite is a strong and durable which makes
it useful for construction.
Geologists classify granite as an igneous rock. The slow cooling
and crystallization of molten material called magma forms most
granite. Magma has the same chemical composition as granite. It
forms from rocks that melt 16 to 25 miles (25 to 40 kilometers')
below the surface of the continents. These rocks melt at temperatures
between 1200' and 1650' F. (650' and 900' C). As the magma rises,
it cools. Most granite magma cools slowly enough to form coarse
crystals and it solidifies below the earth's surface.
Sometimes granitic magma erupts from volcanoes and cools too quickly
to form large crystals. The resulting rock, called rhyolite, has
the same mineral composition as granite but is fine grained.
Granite 1
A very hard, crystalline, platonic rock (formed far below the
surface of the earth by slowly cooling magmatic bodies) of various
colors consisting of feldspar, quartz (crystalline -2-silica)
and smaller amounts of other minerals. Granite is very hard and
more resistant to damage than marble, making granite more difficult
to harm and correspondingly more difficult to restore than marble.
Care of granite is similar to marble except more work is required,
however the work is required less often. As a practical matter,
a final high gloss finish on granite is generally achieved by
using power driven polishing tools and fine grit diamonds.
Granite 2
Granite is one of the oldest, most durable and most respected
of building materials. Traditionally, it is the material chosen
by both architects and engineers when permanence, enduring color
and texture, and complete freedom from deterioration and maintenance
are prime requirements.
And granite is ageless--always contemporary. Today's leading architects,
knowing its unique qualities, are using it more extensively than
ever before. Many of our most impressive buildings, commercial
as well as institutional and monumental, are being faced with
granite, and it's still unequaled as a material for steps, terraces,
and the pavings of plazas and public spaces.
The granite industry is keeping pace with architectural progress
and changing demands. Technological developments have revolutionized
quarrying and fabrication methods, reducing costs and leading
to new applications. Attractive new finishes, new construction
techniques and new jointing methods have been introduced. For
example, granite is being employed on steel frames to provide
preformed wall units which require no additional masonry back-up.
It is common practice in the industry to to classify architectural
granite as either of two types:
Building Granite : Granite used either structurally or as a veneer
for exterior or interior wall facings, steps, paving, copings
or other building features.
Masonry Granite : Granite used in larger blocks for retaining
walls, bridge piers, abutments, arch stones and similar purposes.
Granite 3
Granite: a coarse-grained rock composed mainly of the minerals
quartz and feldspar, often containing small quantities of mica
or hornblende. Commonly believed to develop as an igneous rock
(created by molten magma under pressure), some researchers now
think that granite is actually metamorphic in nature (created
by pressure deep under the earth's surface). Some beds of granite
are among the world's oldest stone. Granite develops in all parts
of the world, with some of the major granite bed occurring in
North America, Brazil and India.
So, how does granite get from the ground to houses and buildings
around the world?
First, it is mined. Taken from the ground in blocks roughly shaped
like train cars, the granite is sliced into sheets about one inch
thick and polished on one side. Then it is shipped around the
world to distributors, who sell it to the fabrication shops which
actually use up the stone.
Why is granite so popular as a countertop material?
There are several answers to that question:
· First and foremost, looks! Granite comes in some amazing colors,
and is considered to be one of the most beautiful stones in the
world.
· Durability. Granite lasts the lifetime of a person's home without
chipping or scratching, and is impervious to heat. The color and
polished surface of granite do not fade over time.
· Economics. With the new technology available to the miners and
fabricators of granite, the cost of granite has dropped dramatically
in the last few decades. Stone prices are now competitive with
man-made options, and granite lasts longer than any other surface!
· Ecology. Although mining is rough on the environment, other
products are far worse in several ways. Man-made products create
potentially deadly by-products which go straight to our crowded
landfills. Due to granite's durability and timeless beauty it
does not need to be replaced or upgraded, whereas man-made counters
are replaced several times over the life of a building, further
adding waste (both environmentally and financially).
Granite
4
Granite is a very hard crystalline, igneous rock that is available
in a vast range of colour, texture and mineral composition.
Granite is available in the following finishes: polished, honed,
fine rubbed, thermal flame finished, and can take a sandblasted
coarse or fine stippled finish. ASTM C97 - Absorption by weight
0.4% max.
Granite
5
Granites are intrusive rocks that start out as molten masses deep
within the earth. As the mass cools, the minerals form into crystals
of various sizes and shapes, depending on the conditions at the
time. Large crystals are indicative of a slow cool down while
small crystals are typical of a rapid cooling.
Granites are typically made up of three minerals; quartz, feldspar
and mica. "Gneiss" are a category of granites that have metamorphosed
or changed to a different form. Granites are typically the hardest
of the dimensional stones and withstand the elements very well.
Granites are best for kitchen counters since
They resist scratching are stain and heat resistant. They are
also suitable for flooring or paving, wall cladding, all other
types of counter tops and tombstones. Granite is suitable for
either exterior or interior applications.
