All You Need to Know about Granite, and More!

There’s a reason that granite is one of the most popular choices for kitchen and bathroom remodels. When it comes to natural stone, it’s commonly the option that people think of first simply because you see it everywhere—and that’s because it’s not only eye-catching and beautiful, it’s also durable, long lasting, and doesn’t require all that much maintenance.

Really, there’s not much that granite can’t do. At Sanford Granite, we consider ourselves experts on granite, and if you’re in Tampa and looking for answers regarding the stone, we hope that you’ll come to us first.

Granite—What Is It, Exactly?

Made up of feldspar, mica, and quartz, granite is a type of igneous rock that can be mined in locations all over the world—India, China, Italy, and the United States, to name a few. In fact, the United States is home to the city that holds the highest quantity of granite in the entire world—Barre, Vermont.

Granite is versatile, which means that you’re never boxed into just one look. It comes in a variety of different finishes, including polished, honed, brushed, and sandblasted. No matter your personal preference, there’s sure to be a style of granite that fits what you’re looking for.

Granite’s Benefits

Granite’s attractiveness goes far beyond the surface. It also has other notable benefits:

It’s eco-friendly.

Since granite is a natural material, it’s 100 percent recyclable.

It’s resistant to heat.

Granite is used to extreme temperatures—as an igneous rock, it starts out in extremely high temperatures underground. This heat resistance makes it a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

It’s resistant to scratching.

Granite scores a seven (out of ten) on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, which means it’s pretty darn tough.

It’s resistant to chemicals.

While granite is a hardy material, we still recommend avoiding acidic cleaners that include harsh chemicals or citrus because those components can damage the sealant. Other than that, granite is not too picky when it comes to how you clean it.

Every slab is different.

If you value individuality, this is an aspect of granite that you’ll love. No two slabs are exactly the same, which means that you’ll be the only person in the entire world with your exact granite slab.

Disproving Granite Myths

Granite is a well-known stone, but being well known means that there are plenty of misconceptions out there. Here are a few of the best-known misconceptions about granite:

Granite is out; quartz is in.

Granite and quartz are both great choices. Granite is a natural stone, and quartz is an engineered stone, meaning that they both have unique benefits and can add value to different types of homes.

Granite is the same thing as marble.

While they’re both natural stones, marble is softer than granite and requires a higher degree of care.

Granite is high maintenance.

Although natural stone countertops require more care and attention than man-made materials, granite is easy to take care of compared to other types of natural stone.

Granite shouldn’t be used to prepare food.

As long as it’s sealed properly, granite is resistant to germs and bacteria—which makes it a great place to prepare food that you can feel good about eating.

Granite’s Maintenance

Like we stated previously, granite doesn’t require a huge degree of care compared to other natural stones. As long as you get it sealed correctly, keeping up its good looks isn’t hard to do. With the right sealant, it will also remain resistant to germs and bacteria.

Cleaning granite is simple too. All you need is a soft cloth, water, and a cleaning solution with a mild/neutral pH. Dilute the cleaning solution, put it in a spray bottle, and spray your countertop down. Then rinse that off and wipe it clean—after that, your countertop is once again shiny and new.

Granite—Is It Worth It?

Granite, like all other natural stones, automatically increases the resale value of your home. If selling is something that you plan to do in the future, or if the beauty, durability, and longevity of your countertop matter to you, then yes, granite is very much worth the investment! While granite is more expensive than some man-made options, the reason for that price is its degree of beauty, durability, and timelessness.

How Long Does It Last?

Just like anything else, granite’s longevity depends on the care that you give it. If you treat your countertop the right way and keep up with its mild maintenance, then you can expect it to last in your family for generations.

Choosing Granite

If your interest in granite countertops has been piqued, Sanford Granite in Tampa wants to help you make your final decision. If you have questions about this stone or would like to schedule a consultation, give us a call at 407-490-4703.