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Natural Granite

What is Natural Granite?

Granite is a large grained (which its name granite derives from), volcanic and plutonic rock that mostly consists of quartz and feldspar minerals, and minor amounts of mica, amphiboles and other minerals.

Granite is a volcanic rock due to the fact that it is formed by magma. According to the magmatic theory, granite is formed by the crystal fractionation of magma. Thus, the reason for the granite bodies is intrusion of liquid magma into existing rocks. Granules inside granite rocks are arranged in a random order rather than being in a designed structure; this type of a structure gives granite a plutonic (large and solidified deep beneath) ability.

The second distinctive feature of granite is that it consists of coarse grains. The word “granite” derives from the Latin granum. Grains of granite aren’t the same size; granite consists of grains of different sizes and large grains that can be seen with naked eye.

The third and last ability of granite is that it contains quartz, feldspar and other minerals. All types of granites contain quartz and feldspar, a minor amount of other minerals. But sometimes they don’t contain a specific type at all. The density ratio of these minerals are 50% and more feldspar, 25-40% quartz and 3-10% mica, amphibole, biotite and hornblend. Structural characteristics, color and texture of the granite is determined by these minerals. For example, while light-colored granites show the existence of quartz and feldspar granules with white through pink, black colors show the existence of biotite and hornblend.

Areas of Applications

Granite has been used in interior and exterior applications as construction and architecture materials since Egyptians. Granite is used as “Dimensional Stone” (Natural rock material that is cut as slabs in blocks of specific length, thickness or width) because of its high durability and aesthetical properties.

In exterior applications, polished or honed granite types are preferred in fields of cladding, flooring, sculpture, gravestones, paving etc. In interior applications, polished granite slabs are used to produce countertops and backsplashes. As seen above, granite is more like an application stone of hard weather and maintenance conditions. Granite is preferred in exterior applications like sculpture, gravestones because of its corrosion-proof structure and not being affected by hard weather conditions. Its strong mould against a specific amount of weight and perfect polishing capacity eliminates all the opponents of granite in interior applications such as kitchen and bathroom counters.

Granite can also be used as broken or aggregated stone. With these forms, it can be used in anywhere such as base materials in building constructions, aggregated stones in road constructions, ground backfilling stones and broken stones in railways.

Exterior Applications

  • Floorings & Claddings
  • Stair Treads
  • Gravestones
  • Pavings
  • Sculpture
  • Exterior Fireplaces
  • Exterior Countertops

Interior Applications

  • Floors & Walls
  • Stair Treads
  • Countertops & Backsplashes
  • Bathroom Counters
  • Fireplace Mantles
  • Bathroom Sinks & Basins
  • Medallions

Granite Finishes

Polished Finish
This is the buffing of raw granite slab to the highest level. Polished finish is the most shiny and eyeful finish type. Polishing reveals the character of granite, improves its durability against moisture, dirt and chemical cleaners, causing it to be preferred mostly for manufacturing countertops.

Honed Finish
This is the buffing of raw granite slab less than the highest level. A smooth but matt look is obtained after this process. This type of finish is preferred in wet floors where presence of water may make a polished finish slippery, or where foot traffic can wear out a polished finish.

Flamed Finish
This is obtained by executing flame to raw granite surface. This type of finish is preferred in exterior entrance roads where slipping risk is high.

Bush-Hammered Finish
This is the corroding of granite surface via a special carbide tipped hammer. Serrated face of hammer is transferred directly onto the surface of granite. Just like the flamed finish, bush hammered finish is used for exterior applications.

Sandblasted Finish
This is obtained by spraying hardened silica sand on granite surface by a sandblasting machine. The purpose of this process is to get a smooth abrasion on the surface of the granite. Names and designs on sculpture and gravestones are done by sandblasting.

Leathered Finish
This is a new type of finishing. This is a look achieved by sweeping a diamond tipped brush on the honed granite surface. This process brings the color lost by honing back and closes the pores on the surface. Leathering neither results in a matt surface like honing, nor in a shiny surface like polishing.

Grade of Granite

Grade of granite is determined by quartz, feldspar, mica, other minerals, finish quality and how it is cut. Low grade granites are named as commercial or second grade granite which contains many smooth minerals and very few color types. Although mid-grade granites have brilliant colors and patterns, there might be problems such as not being the same color or texture. Exotic and high grade granites are chosen among those with a single color, texture and type.

Color and Pattern Options

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