Granite has long been used in construction projects, design, and other decors. It is a popular choice because of its aesthetics, durability, versatility and not to mention the rich sources it comes from. Most builders can find a place in their projects where they can incorporate the use of granite making it an essential and staple material in any construction process.
People from different parts of the world have used granite for thousands of years. Primarily used in construction, it can be used as a base for the overall construction, decor, or a customized piece for a collector. This material can be used both indoors and outdoors given that it has properties to withstand even the roughest environment. No matter what your budget is and the size you are planning for your new house, there surely is a perfect granite that can fit your preferences, budget, and style. It is great to get into the details so you are more knowledgeable about this material next time you shop for your supplies.
What Granite is Made of?
Granite is a natural material and is a type of igneous rock. It has a distinctive appearance that looks like patterns of visible grains or crystalline, an ode to where it got its name which means grain in Latin. These rocks are made of various minerals, primarily of quartz, feldspar, potassium, and other chemicals which is why they also naturally differ in color, texture, and overall appearance. Its common characteristic is that it is a hardy and massive material with its heaviness varying because of its basic components. Different types of Granite can be sourced everywhere though they are dominantly abundant in rocky and mountainous landscapes, mostly in the continental crust.
The Earth is rich in granite and has taken thousands of years to form the granite that people use now. It is formed like any other rock through a combination of magma and other materials that makes it unique and useful as we know it. It goes through a rigorous process of melting and cooling down, which allows its content to solidify and interlock together, making its iconic crystallized look. Since it is abundant in nature, it is a sustainable material that will provide value to your new home. You can source out different kinds from various places to be used for any design and feature you want in any area of the house you are building.
The Advantages of Using Granite
The extent and popularity of the use of granite is because of the many advantages it presents especially in the world of construction. First, it is essential to distinguish it from other types of rocks and stones that are also used for building purposes. It is often mistaken for other types including marble and other types of common stones. There is no way of reproducing a granite by hand or machine so these are all-natural which comes from the Earth itself. The texture of this stone is uniform and it has a flat appearance. You would see visible black grains that form crystals in the background. Most people are familiar with this material because of how prominent it is used in everyday life.
The main advantage of using granite for your new home is that it is one of the toughest materials you can build with. They are durable and you can expect that this material will withstand the test of time that even your family in the future can still use and enjoy. They are not prone to erosion and there are no common materials that can destroy it, making granite a material you can overuse and abuse. They can withstand most pressure and weather conditions so you can use them in any part of the house, whether interior or exterior without looking rough because it has that elegant appearance which is impressive to the eyes. If you fear that they might get broken when you drop them or shatter because of too much weight, you will be happy to learn that they are tough enough and have a good resistance level against day to day impacts. There is a bigger chance that it can withstand mishandling so if you need your granite stone to be shipped to you, you don’t have to worry about it like how you would if a material is made of glass.
The greatness of the strength and beauty of its aesthetics comes with a price. Compared to other materials, these are on par with its quality when it comes to cost. This is due to the tedious process it goes through from extraction, mortaring operation, and installation. Although the price is relatively higher, it is a material that’s worth it given how sturdy and long-lasting it can be. The price also depends on the size of the granite needed so you can spend less if you choose to use it on smaller projects and portions. If you choose to purchase it for large scale purposes, you can expect that the overall functionality, beauty, and the advantages will exceed your expectations.
What You Can Create with Granite
There’s a multitude of things you can do with granite from the ground up. Most households prefer to use it for their countertops because of how useful it is in this area of the house. It is impervious so you can easily wash off and clean the surfaces after cooking. It is more than decorative, most people can perform their kitchen needs on the countertop because it can withstand even knife marks, hot surfaces from cooked meals, and pots. You can even use it as a cutting board and a mixing surface for when you make the dough of your bread. You can choose to only have a specific part of the kitchen made of granite or you can extend this material to be the primary theme and material used for the entire space. It can be used only as a countertop or you may choose to have it on matching cabinets and other surfaces as well. Not only that, but you can also use granite tile for floor covering if you want to achieve that minimalist and uniform style.
You can use granite in other parts of the house as well. The tiles can be used in the bathroom since it has great properties for heavy washing areas or anywhere there is constant use of water. Granite blocks have been used to make walls as well to achieve that classic architecture of houses made of stone. You can also use granite as paving stones for walkways and other floors outside of the house including the garage and the backyard. They can easily be cut into different geometric shapes so you can be creative in making patterns and designs. It is a rich material that combines functionality and design into one so you don’t have to spend on additional decors for your home.
Tips on Choosing the Right Granite for You
The best tip in choosing granite is to get a lot of it for your next home. Even if you use it as the main material or just for important focal points, making something out of this material is a must and you shouldn’t’ miss the opportunity to incorporate it. The primary category you need to think of is the color. There is granite with the primary colors and there will always be a color that can complement the design you want for your home. You can also base the color scheme to be used on the granite that you will eventually use because it is easier since granite has rich earthy and neutral colors. If you are thinking of using it in the kitchen, a White granite can give that clean and serene vibe since the kitchen should be the cleanest place of the house. It will also allow cleaning to be easier since you can easily spot where tidying needs to be done. The advantage of white is that it can be easily decorated and it reflects more light so the kitchen can appear brighter. You may also opt for a black granite to have an edgy and modern look for your kitchen.
It is not the color that you should take note of. You may also look into the details of the granite. Since these are naturally designed, you can’t choose the exact patterns that each tile or slab has but you can choose a unique pattern among other choices. This depends on the cut made on the stone and how it is classified. You can explore a lot of options when you go shopping with your builders and suppliers. Then you have to choose whether you want a tiled version or a larger slab. This depends on whether or not you want grout lines to appear or you want a solid rock at your house.
Other Uses
Although granites are typically used as fixtures, these materials can be used for other decorative and useful projects as well. There is furniture, mostly used outdoors, that can be made from granite. You would find that there are granite chairs and tables which you can put in the backyard so it can stay there no matter the weather. Pots for your garden and vases that you put indoors can also be made of granite so you better save on any scrap from cuttings you see. The functionality from which you decided to use granite for can already achieve the aesthetic needed for the area in which you will put it on. They are beautiful enough to be their own decor so you can use the tiny pieces for your DIY projects.
Care and Maintenance
If knowing that granite can last you more than a lifetime is not enough to convince you to go for this material, then knowing that this is one of the lowest maintenance materials available will surely do the trick. Since we have mentioned that it is impervious, granite is also resistant to almost anything that it can encounter every day. The only way it would get damaged is when it is done intentionally but almost never accidentally. Aside from heat and pressure resistance, granite is also resistant to the buildup of dirt, microorganisms, and other types of bacteria once it has been properly sealed with a topcoat. Most disinfectants used on surfaces would work or you can easily wipe them off with a cloth and water. Furthermore, you wouldn’t see noticeable marks from usage on it most of the time, so they are great materials to achieve that timeless look even after years pass.
If you have existing granite materials and you wish to incorporate it into your new house, you may easily find a place where they may easily fit. Packaging granite for transfer would be best if you use a wood casing and reinforce exposed areas with foam or thick cloth. Although they are strong materials, they would also break if hit by a bigger impact from collisions or dropping from high places. They are better fixtures than movable objects because they are heavy and would require more hands to lift and carry depending on the size. Put lighter granite materials away from children because these might cause injury if they happen to drop it on themselves or use them to play or hit other children they are playing with. Of course, avoid hitting it with hard objects to avoid making dents and marks on it. Do not attempt to hammer a nail into it or cut them yourself because mishandling might just ruin the whole stone. Overall, granite maintenance and care is as easy and straightforward as any other household cleaning. No need for special tools and equipment.
Granite has been a valuable material in the construction business and it could do wonders for the new home you are building. It can address a lot of needs and variety that you require. The finished look and the quality that you can get from using this material can exceed your expectations.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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