Facts About Using Granite In Kitchens and Bathrooms

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• Facts About Using Granite In Kitchens and
  Bathrooms

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Granite Countertops What you Need to Know

• Granite countertops have been a long time staple
  in the design industry and considered a must for
  most upscale remodelling projects as well as new
  homes. Dating back to ancient times, granite has
  been used in all kinds of construction from
  temples to headstones. Its a favourite material
  for its hardness and durability for its variety
  and for its beauty.

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History of Granite Countertops

• Stone suppliers began polishing granite in the
  1830s but its popularity has soared within the
  last two decades as kitchen and bathroom
  countertops. There are a couple of ways to
  extract granite from earth. One of the most
  common is done by blasting the granite from rock
  quarries or granite quarries in large blocks.
  Then these large blocks are cut into smaller
  portions. A big part of the mining process is
  determining which colours go together.
• This material is known as an igneous rock, which
  means that it was formed from by the cooling of
  lava or magma. It is the most durable of stones
  its hardness is second only to diamonds. Granite
  counters are heat resistant making them a
  favourite among chefs since hot pots can be set
  directly on them. The cool surface also makes a
  granite countertop excellent for rolling out
  dough. One thing to remember when cutting food on
  top of your granite countertops without a cutting
  board is that the granite is stronger than your
  knife.

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Practicality of Granite

• It is also a practical material for bathrooms
  often being used for counters, threshold material
  and shelf material for shower niches and cubbies.
• Though granite is durable, it is not
  indestructible. The surface is sealed by the
  fabricators, yet it can still stain like all
  natural stone can. Generally, the darker the
  material, the denser it is, and the less
  susceptible to staining. For example, black
  absolute granite is denser than coast green.

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Granite A Natural Stone

• Granite is the common term of this stone, but the
  stone is actually not made out of the mineral
  called granite. Instead, it is made up of several
  different natural minerals, and quartz, feldspar,
  and mica are three of the most common minerals
  found in this type of rock. The mineral
  variations will depend on the geographic location
  of the stone, and they also help determine the
  colour of the stone.
• Granite comes in a variety of styles and colours.
  Its aesthetic properties mainly depend on where
  it was mined and the minerals that are in it. The
  colours include many basic colors like black,
  brown and white, but also in rare colours, such
  as majestic blues.
• Granites variety allows it to be suitable for
  every style whether its transitional bar or a
  contemporary zen kitchen. With colours ranging
  from whites to browns, to blues, even reds,
  greens, and beige. There are varied patterns,
  from tightly packed granules to large sweeping
  movements. Being a natural material, no two
  stones are alike, which makes each installation
  unique. Some of the pieces are quite a work of
  art.

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Granite Countertop Maintenance

• Good fabricators will work with the homeowner to
  measure and template before cutting the stones.
  The homeowner can then pre-approve the templates
  and actually lay them out on the granite slabs.
  This is particularly important especially when
  you have a material with a lot of movement so the
  client can determine exactly which portion of the
  granite they want to use. This is also a time
  when they can eliminate natural anomalies on the
  granite such as dark spots or fissures. Often,
  the sink cut-out can be placed to take out these
  spots.
• Does granite need to be sealed? Yes! Seams are
  sometimes a necessary nuisance. Depending on the
  design and layout, seams may be inevitable. They
  can be strategically placed where they are less
  noticeable such as corners and below cabinets
  that sit on the countertop. Again, a good
  fabricator has techniques that will make the gap
  between each slab as small as possible. Granite
  is a natural product and therefore, porous.
  Because of this, it needs to be sealed, so the
  chemicals and the material doesnt get into the
  granite. It is recommended that you seal your
  granite countertops every year. Sealer can be
  purchased at a low rate at any number of local
  home improvement stores. Remember, sealing your
  countertops save you money, as it helps the
  countertops retain its shine and durability.
• Granite is a straight forward and easy to use
  surface that is the perfect fit in almost any
  home. Installing granite in the home is a great
  way to add value and classic beauty to any area
  of the home. The fact that you can have a
  beautiful surface that is easy to maintain is
  icing on the cake.

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• THANKS!
• Any questions?
• You can find us at www.ugm.co.in