Granite tiles – Everything you need to know

Granite tiles, sometimes known as granito, is a material that has been in use for quite a while now. Here, we discuss everything you need to know about granite.

Introduction to Granite

A quick google search reveals that granite is a very hard, naturally occurring, crystalline, igneous rock, with grains visible to the naked eye. It occurs from the slow cooling of magma deep in the earth, and over a long period of time, finds its way up to the upper levels of the earth’s surface. It comprises mainly of quartz, feldspar and mica minerals, with other minerals in it such as hornblende, hermatite, zircon, and many more that provide it with a variety of other different colours.

For a long period of time, granite had been synonymous with the affluent as a luxurious finish in their homes. Of late, however, the material has become a common household finish owing to the fact that granite is mined and processed in very many countries across the globe, making it accessible to more and more people.

Brief History

Dating far back to the Pyramids of ancient Egypt, granite has been in use by mankind, so it isn’t anything new. Granite was found in the tombs within the Pyramids of Egypt, supposedly used to create a sarcophagus. Fast forward to the 8th century, we have the Saekguram Grotto, a Buddhist Heritage site located in South Korea built entirely of granite. Another mega sculpture made entirely from granite is the Mount Rushmore National Memorial located in South Dakota, USA. It was built in the year 1927, consisting of four faces of previous presidents of the United States of America.

Today, granite has gained a myriad of other uses such as in; kitchen countertops, shelves, flooring (floor tiles), surfaces of swimming pools, backsplashes (kitchen, bathrooms, etc.), stair treads, wall cladding, cemetery monuments, and even jewellery.

Fabrication Process

As granite is a naturally occurring material, it has to be extracted from the ground for it to be of use. Most of the world’s granite is sourced from mines in Brazil, India, Italy, China, USA among many other countries. Below is the process by which granite moves from the earth to your kitchen countertop or bathroom walls.

1. Huge blocks of granite, around 6 meters by 4 meters by 3 meters, are cut from the quarry.
2. These blocks are further reduced in size to be loaded onto trucks and taken to the factory for processing.
3. When they arrive in the processing plant, a large cutting machine cuts the block into slabs/panels of similar thicknesses. This, therefore, classifies granite as a dimension stone i.e., a rock that is quarried for the purposes of creating blocks or slabs.
4. Since the original block of granite was not extracted with smooth straight edges, another machine saws off the edges of the panels to smoothen them, creating a definite rectangular panel.
5. The cut panels are then forwarded to a polishing machine. Polishing removes scratches, unwanted lines, and any defects to reveal the smooth shiny surface of the granite. Differently coloured granites will reveal their respective colours.
6. Once a client decides which type of granite they want, the selected panel(s) is taken and checked for any defects that may still be present.
7. The panel(s) is then measured out to fit the expected kitchen countertop. Areas such as the sink, tap holes, and any other voids that are to be removed are accurately measured out.
8. The voids are then precisely cut with saws and/or appropriate machines. The edges are also smoothened out to prevent the risk of cuts. Provisions for the countertop anchors (supports) are also cut and the anchors placed.
9. After all the cutting and smoothening have been done, the panels are polished again and a sealant is applied to prevent the build-up of germs and moisture when in use. The sealant also provides that extra shine on the surface.
10. The finished product is then transported to the expected destination and installed by professionals.

Properties of Granite

1. Granite is very hard and tough, thus making it durable. Its toughness is why it can be used externally as cladding and on floor surfaces.
2. Due to its toughness, it is scratch resistant therefore why it is used as a kitchen countertop.
3. Granite is highly non-porous, therefore being resistant to stains caused by spilled liquids or other substances. It also resists bacteria and germs that may want to build up. The additional sealant applied provides extra protection to the granite surface.
4. The various colours it comes in, such as white, yellow, black, red, pink, blue, grey, etc., make it visually appealing.
5. Granite has poor heat conduction and will therefore feel cool even on hot days.
6. The material is also resistant to fire.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Granite surfaces require some level of care and maintenance to retain its shine and appeal, which is usually quite easy. The first and main method is the use of a sealant to protect the granite against staining, which is usually done at the production stage.

Daily or regular cleaning of countertops requires wiping with a soft cloth with clean water, and if need be using mild soap. A dry cloth is then used to dry the surface. For floors, you can use a mop with the clean water and mild soap. If the mild soap doesn’t do the trick, use a neutral pH stone-cleaner. Avoid using acidic cleaning products as this will leave stains, or damage the visual appeal of the granite over time (the surface will dull).

Longer period maintenance of granite requires applying sealant on the surfaces at least once every year. This is to maintain the stain resistance ability of the granite.

Advantages of Granite

1. High durability thus long-lasting.
2. Scratch resistant.
3. Stain resistant.
4. The material is highly versatile since it can be used for a wide range of uses.
5. Easy accessibility since it is a common material.
6. Its many colours make it visually appealing.
7. Resistant to heat and fire.
8. Resistant to germs and bacteria making it safer for use in homes and commercial spaces.
9. Easy to clean.

Disadvantages of Granite

1. Granite can be quite expensive at times, especially when used as a flooring option compared to others such as ceramic tiles and terrazzo.
2. Granite requires professionals only to install it as it can break when mishandled.
3. When damaged, granite is quite difficult to repair and will usually require replacing, which is an increased expense.
4. Requires regular sealing to protect the surface, which is typically done annually. Failure to which will cause porosity of the granite making it susceptible to stains and habouring of germs and bacteria.
5. To some, the granite surface may feel uncomfortably cold to touch and will require some form of heating to comfortably use the product.

With all these details on granite, why not change your kitchen countertop for starters, and see how much more of it you can apply in your home or commercial space. Don’t hesistate to contact us for help with any granite installation you may need, be it in flooring, countertops or simply a corner shelf in your bathroom.