What is granite?

What is Granite?

Granite is a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. It forms from magma with a high content of silica and alkali metal oxides that slowly cools and solidifies underground.

Granite is one of the most common types of rock on Earth and covers approximately 10% of all land area.

In fact, Granite makes up 5% of Earth’s volume, which means that there are large quantities of granite present throughout the world.

Where does Granite stone come from?

Granite is an igneous rock that forms from volcanic eruptions and then slowly cools to form beautiful rocks. Granite comes from deep within the earth, through a process called differentiation. At one point, granite was magma, or melted rock. It took millions of years for it to cool, harden, then work its way up to the surface of the earth. Often, upheavals such as earthquakes or tectonic shifts heave the granite up.

Granite is a type of rock that is composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and micas. These rocks form when magma reaches the surface from deep within the Earth. Depending on the ratio between these minerals in their composition, granite can be fine-grained or coarse-grained. Fine-grained granite contains few visible crystals while coarse-grained granite has large crystals visible to the naked eye.

Granite Types and Uses

Granite is not one specific rock type; rather it has several different types that result from varying combinations of minerals in its chemical composition. This results in types such as syenite (no quartz), quartz diorite (some quartz) and adamell.

Granite Textures and Colors

Granite is a rock type that can be found throughout the world with different textures and colors. The color and texture of granite can vary depending on where it came from and how long the magma was left to cool/crystalize. Variations in granitic rocks are due to:

  1. Chemical composition of the parent rock
  2. The rate at which they cooled, and
  3. Degree of consolidation

Kitchen and Bathroom Countertops

Most people, when they think about a granite countertop in their kitchen or bathroom, envision a surface that is smooth and non-porous. This makes them look good and very easy to clean.

However, there are many different types of granite with varying degrees of porosity. There are even some granites that absorb water like blotting paper! That means that if you get any type of liquid on it, it will leave a ring on the countertop.

Granite Countertop Maintenance

Clean your granite countertops with mild dish soap and a soft cloth to remove dirt and spills. Avoid using abrasive cleaners that can damage the surface of the stone. Cleaning products containing bleach should also be avoided as they can cause discoloration over time. Granite is a non-porous material, so it bodes well for countertop solutions in kitchens and bathrooms. It is resistant to water, oil, and even acidic substances. Being non-porous means that it doesn’t allow fluids or other materials to seep into its surface or pores, so it’s easy to clean. This makes it an excellent choice for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and just about any other area where you might need durability.



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