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Material World - Granite Countertops
 One
of the most popular kitchen countertop materials in most markets is granite.
And while we aren’t telling you anything you don’t already know, there are
many misconceptions about it.
Variation – Part of the beauty of granite is due to the natural
variation in color and pattern caused by the various minerals, including
feldspar, quartz and mica. The variation in color, pattern, and granularity
is called “movement.” Granite is quarried by drilling and blasting large
blocks, which are then cut into slabs and polished. Since granite is a
natural material, there can be significant variation from one part of the
large block to another and even further variation throughout the quarry. The
granite samples in the showroom may vary in color and pattern from the
pieces that are ultimately installed in the home. Care must be taken to
ensure that buyers are aware of this natural variation. Some fabricators and
installers even go so far as to show the buyers the actual slabs that are
going to be used in their kitchen.
Fabrication – Granite is purchased by the fabricator in slabs and the
process of fabrication gets the pieces ready for the individual needs of the
buyer’s kitchen. Once the kitchen cabinets are permanently anchored,
measurements and a template can be made. In the process of fabrication, the
slabs will be cut to the correct size for the kitchen and the finished edge
will be cut. The shape of the finished edge of the granite countertop can
become quite costly depending on the style. There are many surface finishes
to choose from, but the most popular in kitchens is polishing to a high
gloss finish.
 Installation
– It is very rare to have a kitchen-wide seamless installation of granite
because the slabs are sold in random lengths due to quarry variances. Seams
are usually placed in corners where two slabs meet and near the sink. Slabs
can also vary in thickness, so installers must shim the slabs to create a
level surface especially where two slabs meet. Installers must also take
care to match pieces as closely as possible, unless the buyer wants to
intentionally create a variegated look. An adhesive is used to secure the
granite and installation of granite may or may not occur over plywood.
Maintenance – Despite its birth 300 million years ago in the molten
depths of a volcano, granite does require some tender loving care and
maintenance from its owner. When used for kitchen countertops, any spills
should be wiped up immediately and any acidic or abrasive cleaners should be
avoided. Oil or grease can leave a spot. It is recommended that granite be
resealed every 1 to 3 years (or more often in some cases) depending on the
sealer initially used. If necessary, it is sometimes possible to repair
chips and cracks with clear epoxy. The installer should be able to give
advice in these situations.
The Marble Institute of America has created some interesting videos related
to the use of natural stone in the home. Visit the link below to watch these
videos:
www.marble-institute.com/consumerresources/videos.cfm
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