‘Quartz 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.)

A question I’m often asked by customers thinking about replacing their laminate kitchen worktops is “What’s the difference between Granite and Quartz worktops?” The answer is quite simple – Granite is a completely natural product which has been mined/cut/polished and sealed. Quartz worktops are made by mixing elements such as granite, mineral quartz and silica into a man-made resin.

If you consider worktops on a scale -

• Granite (purely natural) is at one end
• Corian (wholly man-made – like plastic) is at the other end
• Quartz – somewhere in between

Granite tends to be less expensive on the whole and is resistant to heat. Because it is naturally porous it needs to be sealed periodically – a quick and easy process.

Quartz comes in a broad colour spectrum, is non-porous but may be subject to damage by heat and exposure to sunlight over time.