Granite

Granite is an igneous stone that can be used for many different applications around an interior or exterior environment. This stone comes in a large variety of colors, finishes, and styles to match the desired look of the space.

01: Granite tiles applied to the floor of a living room

Characteristics & Sourcing

Igneous rock found in quarries around the world, mostly in the United States and Brazil
Mostly made of quartz, mica, and feldspar
Available in many colors and styles
Very durable, which makes is applicable to high traffic areas indoors or outdoors
Heat, stain, and scratch-resistant
Come in slabs that are measured to specified sizes

white-supreme-granite-fireplace-living-room-scene-msi.jpg

02: Large granite slab used as a fireplace surround

Production & Maintenance

Very little maintenance needed
- Easy to clean by wiping with a cloth and water
- Occasionally needs to be resealed and polished
Produced by harvesting from quarries
- Harvested in large blocks that are cut down into workable slabs
- Shaped into specified sizes by sanding, chiseling, and/or sawing
- Polished using a variety of grinders, buffing pads, and abrasives to give it a mirrored finish

03: Granite applied as a wall covering

Environmental Impact

Quarrying and cutting the stone use machinery that runs on gasoline which has a large carbon footprint
Not a renewable material
Shipping and transportation emits greenhouse gases
No waste products from packaging
Little to no maintenance costs
Repairable, which means the material lasts a very long time
No effect on interior air quality
Not considered a "green" material
Installation produces dust, VOCs, and chemicals from the adhesives

Application

The most common use for granite is countertops.

These are produced by cutting slabs measured to the specified size and can come in various shapes.
The edge profile can be shaped to preferred styles such as beveled, bullnose, quarter round, or ogee edge.
Like any application, granite countertops come in a variety of colors and styles, and clients can pick out specific slabs to choose their desired veining pattern.

ASTM Standards for granite countertops:

Active Standard ASTM C615/C615M -

Standard Specification for Granite Dimension Stone

National Building Granite Quarries Association:

https://nbgqa.com/

04:Granite slabs used on countertops throughout a kitchen

05: Granite steps

Resources

Images:

Information:

Page by Ruth Baker