What is Granite?

Granite is a natural igneous stone that is one of the most beautiful and resilient surface materials in the world. For millennia, granite has been prized for its strength and versatility, and it’s become the gold standard for home countertops. Often used in bathrooms and for floors or home decor, the kitchen is where granite is in the highest demand because it is virtually indestructible. Granite ranks an incredible 7 on the Moh’s Hardness scale, making it unscratchable by kitchen knives or other implements, and can naturally withstand very high heats.

There are many color, pattern, and style choices homeowners can make with their granite countertops. Granite is created from rock that has been melted beneath the surface of the earth (magma), cooled slowly under pressure, and hardened into a solid stone. The primary minerals in granite are feldspar, quartz, and mica, and the different proportions of these minerals (in concert with other minerals present during formation) determine the stone’s eventual color pattern. Granite commonly contains whites and blacks, earth tones such as chocolates, golds, or pale yellows, and even more vibrant colors like blue, green, or red. The possible patterns include bold veins, large irregular spots, tiny flecks, swirls of color, and so much more. No two slabs are alike, making granite not only a practical choice for your home’s design but a completely unique piece of natural art.

We also offer a number of granite countertop finishes that can further distinguish your countertops. There are a number of different finishes you can use, making the final appearance of the stone anywhere from highly shined and polished to matte. You can also choose among different edge profiles for your granite countertop, popularly including rounded “bullnose” edges, multi-layered laminated edges, flat edges, or beveled. And finally, we also offer etching to include decorative patterns! The stylistic possibilities are endless, and working with your fabricator to create the design most suited to your kitchen, lifestyle, and aesthetic is the best thing about custom-made countertops.

It’s important to note that granite is not maintenance-free. Most granite countertops need to be sealed, sometimes as often as every three months or as infrequently as every three years. This is determined by the porousness of the stone; typically, the darker the granite, the denser the stone, but every slab should be treated on a case-by-case basis. Your manufacturer should be able to work with you to find something that fits your needs and lifestyle!