NOWAK CABINETS
Of Elk Rapids
They all spend time in your kitchen...but do they notice it?
11744 US Highway 31 South
Williamsburg, MI 49690
Still serving the Midland Area
989-832-7066
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What You Should Know About Granite Countertops
What is Granite?
Granite is one of the hardest materials on earth. Granite is an igneous rock of crystalline formation and texture. It is composed primarily of feldspar, quartz and mica. (Other minerals may be present in the stone that help create its unique colors, textures and patterns as well.) It starts off as a liquid magma deep within the earth’s core. Over millions of years it cools and compresses under tons on pressure. It is then quarried, cut, and polished. Used as a countertop, granite is resistant to scratches, acid, stains, and heat. Some of the advantages of granite are that it is long-lasting, durable, and available in a wide variety of colors, textures, and wonderfully unique patterns. Added to your kitchen or bathroom as a countertop, it creates a warm and inviting look.
What is “honed” granite?
Granite is considered “honed” when the polishing process is halted just before a reflective shiny surface is achieved. Honing gives the granite a softer, matte appearance to the stone.
Why does granite have pits and fissures?
Granite is crystalline in structure. It always has tiny pits and spaces among the mineral crystals. These are not typically seen on bigger pieces of granite because the overall appearance is polished. Beyond the polishing, the pits can be minimized by applying a sealer to the granite. Granite sometimes has fissures as well. Fissures can look like cracks or structural defects but they are actually naturally occurring as a result of the immense heat and pressure of the earth’s core while the granite was being formed. These characteristic imperfections lend themselves to the beauty of the natural stone. These cracks and fissures will not impair the function or durability of the product.
Can Granite Chip?
Granite will only chip in cases of severe abuse. It would take a hammer or a high impact tool to chip your granite countertop. We recommend that you leave these types of tools on the workbench in your garage J. However, in the event it does chip it should be easily repaired with granite dust and an epoxy mixture.
Can My Granite countertop stain?
Not typically. Keep in mind that all natural stone, by its very nature, is porous to some extent. However, Granite has very little porosity. Most colors of granite will never show any moisture. A few colors of granite may show moisture however, if they are exposed to it for a period of time. For example, if your glass left a water ring on your granite countertop for about 30 minutes, there are some colors of granite that may show a dark spot when the water is wiped away. The good news is, the spot will dry up and leave no evidence that the water stain was ever there.
Can I burn my Granite countertops?
NO. The beauty of granite is that it was formed in the earth’s core by immense heat and pressure. It cannot be affected by the heat from a cook top or frying pan. Granite is able to withstand very high temperatures with melting or burn marks.
Will my Granite countertop have seams in it?
Usually. Granite is a natural material that comes from a quarry. The granite slabs are usually no more than 10’ long when they are mined. The visibility of a seam will depend on the granularity, color, and pattern of the granite. For example, the seams in a small uniform grain will not be as noticeable as a larger varied grain. A dark color will have less apparent seams than a light color, and a dramatic pattern with swaths of color will show more seams than a uniform pattern. Most customers agree that the natural beauty of the granite countertop in their new kitchen or bath greatly outweighs the concern of the seams in the final product.