Granite is excavated from quarries. The quarry will be laid out based on which way the granite will break with the least amount of work. This has a big impact on the potential yield of the quarry. Diamond edged tools are usually used to cut the blocks from the original mass of granite due to its hardness.

The blocks are typically in the region of 9 feet long by 5 feet wide and 5 feet deep. This sized block would weigh in at around 10,000 pounds. The blocks are cut into slabs using a gang saw machine with circular diamond blades of around 60 inches in diameter. A block can be expected to yield 40 to 50 granite slabs.

The appearance of granite varies enormously and this variation is due to varying proportions of the minerals that make up the stone. These minerals are feldspar, quartz, mica and hornblende. Crystals of these minerals grow big enough to be visible to the naked eye. Feldspar has the greatest influence on color. Yellow, orange, pink and blue granites along with some of the black varieties owe their color to feldspar. It is Other less common components also contribute to the differences in color and appearance between different granites.

The Granite used in countertops comes from many different countries. Three of the major exporters are Brazil, India and China but granite is exported by countries on every continent.

Granites beauty is hard to deny. Flecks, veins, specks, and swirls of color variations are plentiful. Because of this characteristic matching your countertop to your décor can be fairly straightforward. Another benefit is that granite is cool to the touch which helps in baking and other culinary activities. Granite is also scratch and stain resistant while also protecting against mold and mildew. Natural qualities means granite is heat resistant allowing you to place hot pots straight out of the oven onto your countertop.

Granite is not the most inexpensive of materials to choose from and for good reason. The process by which your new countertop arrives is not overly complicated but it is labor intensive. Granite is sourced from a rock quarry where huge slabs are cut with diamond studded block, or “gang” saws. From these huge slabs smaller pieces are then cut with what is called a bridge saw, this piece more resembles the size and dimensions custom fit for your application. Manufacturers are beginning to use a more high tech approach utilizing water jets, a technology used in other fields that can make quicker work of a difficult job. This is one way granite manufacturers are keeping the costs and prices of granite competitive.

Routine maintenance and care of granite is required. Sealing granite periodically is a good idea, as is the use of a good pH neutral stone cleaner. You will know that it is time to re-seal your countertop when water no longer beads on the surface. A simple wipe down with a soft microfiber cloth daily will also keep your granite happy.

Natural granite has been the choice of ancient civilizations to display everything from breathtaking architecture, to the statues of gods and has stood the test of time. Its no wonder granite continues to be first on the list when it comes time to outfit your own castle.

Quartz is a uniform material that takes very little maintenance once installed. There isn’t a huge disparity in quality between different quartz’s however it is certainly not the cheapest material. On the other hand granite comes in all quality levels and is susceptible to blemishes and general flaws. Because of this the price range of granite can be quite large with low, medium, and high-end products. Granite will also require more maintenance than quartz including routine sealing.

Over the long haul quartz will be much easier to maintain as it has a higher resistance to heat and staining. Accidentally placing hot pots and pans on quartz will result in far less damage than doing so on granite. While quartz seems to be the practical answer to your kitchen countertop needs it certainly falls short of granite in one category, appearance. Granite has an inherent beauty because of its natural flaws and irregularities. These blemishes are what separate granite and quartz. Typically every quartz countertop will look almost identical while every granite surface will appear different. Those who don’t mind paying more for high end granite (as well as subsequent maintenance) will get both a high quality product and one that looks great.

It truly is an argument of beauty versus practicality. Purchase quartz countertops if you never want to worry about maintaining the surface. Those looking for a beautiful surface will need to go with granite. If you are worried about going over budget but still want a great looking surface you can go with a lower end granite but understand there will be back-end maintenance costs. In the end the choice is yours, pick the product that best fits your budget and kitchen design.

You can find many brands of granite cleaner at any retail store and the companies that manufacture kitchen countertops will have their own products available for purchase. You should check and see what the manufacturer recommends but understand that they will probably try to sell you their own special formula for cleaning granite. If you want to buy granite countertop cleaners, it is a good idea to check for user reviews online. This will give you an idea of how they have worked for others before you put it on your new countertop. User reviews are a fantastic resource for learning which products to avoid.

Companies are currently on an eco-friendly kick. If buying eco-friendly products is something that is important to you, you will not have to look far to find one. The bottle of cleaner will say if it is eco-friendly.

You should avoid using multi-purpose or abrasive cleaners on your granite countertops. Make sure that you always use a product that states it is for use on granite. Soap and water will clean granite without damage but can leave a layer of soap scum. If you want to try some of the homemade granite recipes, always test them on an inconspicuous area before doing the whole counter.

You should do your best to clean spills as they happen. Leaving spills to dry on the counter will mean scrubbing to clean. Scrubbing is not a good idea. You should always clean acidic spills immediately. Acidic spills are things like lemon juice and soda. Acidic juices can cause damage to finish.

People prefer granite countertops because they are durable and easy to clean. Houses made from granite stones are the most attractive and elegant in the contemporary society. This gives a home a natural touch because these stones combine advanced technology and beautiful natural stone. These stones are resistant to contamination, dust and also fire. Granite originates from the great depths of the earth where crystalline rocks are found. There are basically a wide range of granite rocks but they all contain these three essential minerals: quartz (25%-40%), mica (3%-10%) and feldspar (50%).

These minerals make granite have the different colors. This depends on how the minerals are mixed in terms of their ratios. For example, when quartz is in a higher percentage, the granite will have a grey color. African red granite is red in color with black and grey spots. Almond mauve granite has a combination of grey and white color. Aquarius granite has true red and black natural stones like those found under the ocean with a blend of grey. Autumn brown granite gives a person brown and black foliage autumn perspective. Brazilian black granite is dark and beautiful for countertops in a home, a hotel or a bar. Blue pearl granite gives the countertop an incredible pearl color which is extravagant for many people. The other granite countertop colors include: blue perola granite, bamboo yellow granite, Bordeaux granite, bainbrook peach granite, butterfly gold granite, emerald pearl granite, Caledonia granite, café imperial granite, Carmen red granite and desert sand granite among others.