‘General Information on Granite Worktops’ Category

Like most specialist industries the Granite industry is one in which those “in the know” assume every body “knows”. So to try and redress the balance a bit – here are a few nuggets of information about Granite.

What Actually is Granite?

Granite is a stone formed by the solidification of liquid magma (molten rock) under the pressure of the earth’s crust. It is composed of Feldspar, Quartz, Mica, and other minerals, making it one of the hardest stones in the world.

Granite is exceptionally resilient and is therefore ideal for flooring and for work-surfaces. When used outdoors, granite’s mineralogical structure is not influenced by freeze-thaw cycles. 

DID YOU KNOW?              Granite is around 200 million years old!!

Why is Granite an excellent material for Kitchen Worktops?

After Diamonds, Sapphires and Rubies (good company!) Granite is the hardest natural material known to man. Once polished, Granite will maintain its high gloss finish virtually forever.  Normal use of kitchen knives, cutlery, and cookware leaves no scratches. Heat levels of pots and pans in a domestic kitchen environment will have no effect on Granite, making it much safer than synthetic surfaces manufactured with polyesters and resins (eg Quartzes, Corian etc). 

FACT:    If you DO manage to scratch your granite – Re-polishing is a quick and easy process for a technician with the right equipment.

Does Granite mark or stain?

Whilst Granite is an exceptionally dense material (standard worktops weigh around 80kg per square metre!) it is naturally  porous so it can get stained if a spill is not cleaned quickly. Sealing the surface with a water-based sealant is therefore recommended to protect the granite from water patches and stains. Dales Granite only ever install sealed Granite. (Re-sealing is a simple process and should be done around once every two years – depending on usage.)

This note is to Confirm that our February Deal DOES include

• Granite Worktops (delivered and fitted)
• a new Franke tap
• a new undermounted sink
• a new hob
• All for £2,000 INCLUDING VAT

Please see our

Deals

page for more information.

Granite is never cheap. But we firmly believe that this month’s Deal is excellent value. For just £2,000 we will supply and fit Blue Ebony granite worktops, an undermount sink with new tap and new hob.

See our  Deals  page

There are many!

• It’s readily available
• Astounding range of colours. It comes in grey, black or almost white, but can also be found in pink, blue, green and almost any other color. Mixed with these will be specks, veins or swirls that make every piece of granite unique and dramatic.
• Durability and strength. You can chop things on the surface, for example, and the stone is so hard, it won’t scratch. (After all, in order to cut granite, saws tipped with diamonds are needed). Granite can also withstand heat. Similairly vanity tops made of granite for the bathroom will endure hair straighteners and blow dryers.
• Hygienic. Unlike Wooden worktops – it doesn’t shelter bacteria
• Cleaning granite worktops is easy, and if the stone is well sealed and polished, it’s highly resistant to staining.
• It’s kid-friendly! Granite will survive virtually all the rough usage a bunch of active, growing children can dish out.
• Financial: Granite will increase the value of your home.

For customers with existing Granite Worktops who are looking to modify their kitchen – for instance you may wish to replace a counter-top hob with a free-standing oven – or you might be replacing a Range Cooker with a bigger model. Dales Granite are here to help!

Our experienced technicians will uplift your existing worktops (and associated upstands/splashbacks if necessary) modify them and replace them. We have the experience and tools to make this heavy, complex task light work.

If necessary we will ship the worktops back to our factory – modify them – then ship them back. Wherever possible we will complete the modification work at your house – outside and being careful to minimise dust and disruption. At all times we’ll treat your home with care and respect.

Once completed you’ll think the modified worktops had always been like that!

No job is too small for Dales Granite – so if you’re considering modifications to your worktops – please give us a call. We’ll visit you and advise – and if you want we’ll give you a written quotation setting out clearly our scope of intended work.

Dales Granite are Granite worktop specialists covering Harrogate, Bradford, Halifax and the whole of Yorkshire.

Granite Care

As well as being the most beautiful (we’re a little biased!) Granite is the most durable and resilient material for kitchen worktops – but like anything, a little care and attention for your granite will ensure your worktops look brand new for many years.

For general cleaning, warm water is sufficient. (Abrasive cleaning products and scouring detergents can leave little scratches on the granite which, over time, will leave the polished finish a little dulled.) Alkaline and chlorine based cleaners are very strong chemicals and should be avoided,likewise do not use bleach. Granite will keep it’s beautiful finish for much longer without such brutal treatment!

If acidic liquids (eg vinegar, wine, cirus fruit juices) are spilled on your granite worktops. Wipe immediately wipe immediately with warm soapy water. This care and attention significantly prolong the beautiful finish of your granite.

Protect your beautiful granite from hot pans and plates using a platter ot trivet. Granite is tough stuff, but some of the pigments in the granite that give it it’s rich pattern may discolour slightly if exposed to extreme heat – and use chopping-boards: whilst Granite is the second hardest rock on earth (after diamonds) it may still scratch if good steel knives are used on it.

To prevent staining we apply a coating to our granite worktops which reduces the porosity of the worksurface. Over time this coating deteriorates and we recommend a special wax and polish kit is used every 3 to 4 years. This water-resistant seal enhances hygiene and reduces the porosity of the stone. Dales Granite can supply this kit – please contact us for details.

So with a little simple care and attention – your beautiful granite worktops will continue to be beautiful for many years to come!

Dales Granite are Worktop Specialists. We are happy to advise on any aspect of worktop supply, modification or repair. Contact us on 01423 873 811 or Paul on 07812 640 314.

Granite worktops will increase the saleability and therefore value of your home. Therefore – see it as an investment rather than a cost. Remember, you don’t need to replace the whole kitchen – just do the worktops!

A properly chosen and fitted worktop can make all the difference to your kitchen – and to your home. The kitchen needs to be efficient, clean and functional and at the same time is probably the part of your home people see most of, most often – so it needs to look good!

A properly fitted kitchen will make the kitchen the true heart of the home – and the worktops are the most important component of the kitchen, both aesthetically and functionally.

The first consideration is colour. Your worktop should of course coordinate with the rest of the kitchen, and there are different colour ranges available depending on the material you choose. Whilst Granite is limited to the colours of the rock where it was extracted it might surprise you to discover the wide range of granite colours available. Dales Granite can provide samples of over 60 different granite colours! Call us now to arrange a free, no pressure, no obligation visit. We’ll provide you with a detailed written quotation and an estimate on the spot. (call Paul on 07812 640 314)

From a design perspective Granite is versatile and can be cut to satisfy the majority of designs. For simple, square surfaces, there’s probably nothing more beautiful than a big slab of granite.

An additional benefit of granite is the facility to create upstands, splashbacks and window-sills. Careful consideration at design stage, combining 30mm thick worktops with 20mm upstands and window-sills can transform an ordinary kitchen into a show-home kitchen.

Dales Granite are Granite Worktop Specialists. We are based in Harrogate and Bradford and cover the whole of Yorkshire. Remember! Just do the Worktops!

Call us now on 01423 873811 or 07812 640 314.

A popular question? And the answer impacts directly on the relative applications – Marble is OK for bathrooms but not really appropriate for kitchen worktops. Here’s Why?

Granite was formed millions of years ago deep underground in the earth’s mantle at very high temperatures. It comprises crystallised minerals (granite, mica, fluorspar and others) and is extremely dense, hardwearing and when cut and polished makes an ideal worksurface. Cared for properly a granite worktop will be functional and beautiful for at least our lifetime!

Marble (including limestones, travertines, onyxes) is sedimentary rock – formed from sea-shells, vegetation, animals – compressed underwater that over thousands of years have solidified. It’s not as hard as granite and due to its calcium content is subject to damage by acidic liquids like vinegar, lemon juice, redwine.

So – Granite and Marble are very different – and its important because granite is great for kitchen worktops – whilst marble is more appropriate for bathrooms.

Dales Granite supply beautiful granite worktops direct to customers’ kitchens in Harrogate and the rest of North Yorkshire.

Call us now for a free, no-obligation, no hard-sell quotation and advice.

Call Paul on 07812 640 314