Granite is considered unsurpassed in terms of functional and aesthetic merits for construction. This massive and at the same time graceful and elegant natural stone is widely used in facade and plinth works, exterior cladding of buildings, interior flooring and walls in rooms for various purposes. Granite is also indispensable as a decorative stone, being a favorite material for making magnificent interior elements, mosaics, and sculptures.
Such a variety of applications for this unique natural stone causes special requirements for the choice of granite of one variety or another. So that the stone lasts a long time, and pleases the human eye, in harmony with the environment. Granite has a number of characteristics that are worth paying attention to. These include properties, coloring and pattern, processing method.
Properties Of Granite
When choosing granite, you need to find out how strongly certain properties are expressed in its individual varieties.
The most important property of granite is strength. Granite is one of the most durable stones in nature. Granite is resistant to compression, friction, abrasion. Granite is a very durable material. At the same time, fine-grained varieties of granite are the most durable.
That is why, when building road and bridge structures, it is best to use fine-grained granite as crushed stone, paving stones, slabs. Also, in addition to strength, fine-grained granite with low porosity is known for resistance to weathering and acids, frost resistance, water resistance and weathering resistance. Thanks to this, granite is an indispensable material for exterior decoration of buildings and rooms with high humidity: swimming pools, showers, saunas.
However, despite the above advantages and useful qualities, it should be remembered: most types of stone can change color during prolonged contact with water.
Granite Colors
Granite is widely used in the creation of works of art, decorative items. Granite has a wide color palette; various variations of the pattern are possible. White galaxy granite is one of the beautiful ones. Granite is well aesthetically compatible with other materials, with wood, various metals, and ceramics.
Granite is most characteristic of various shades of gray, depending on its composition. Often one has to deal with amazonite grants of green and bluish-green color, with pinkish granites, orange, red, bluish-gray colors.
Granite drawings
The pattern of granites also plays an important role in creating a worthy piece of furniture. Most often there are spotted or mottled colors, less often – wavy-striped or smoky. Sometimes granite can be decorated with ring-shaped chains, sparkling inclusions, or have a dotted-striped pattern.
All these features of the external appearance of granite must be taken into account when choosing it, based on the characteristics of the surrounding interior and exterior. It is necessary to take into account the differences in color and pattern of tiles of the same granite breed, characteristic of any natural material.
Processing methods
The characteristics of granite slabs largely depend on the method of processing natural stone.
The sawn surface of granite is unevenly rough, with a revealed color and pattern of the stone. It is suitable for finishing external entrance groups, ramps, stair steps.
The polished surface of the granite will clearly reflect various details, emphasizing the natural color and pattern of the stone. With this method of processing, the durability of the stone increases. However, polished tiles are not recommended for damp rooms, stairs and other surfaces that can get wet, as when water gets on the polished tiles, it becomes slippery.
The polished surface of a granite slab somewhat smoothes the pattern of the stone, but due to the roughness that occurs with this type of processing, it reduces slip, therefore it is recommended for flooring, especially in wet areas.
Spot tile is a uniformly rough surface with relief irregularities. Granite processed in this way is especially effective for outdoor work. A smooth matte or polished surface emphasizes the pattern of the stone; however, it is less slippery.
The choice of granite is a rather difficult task, it is not always easy for a person who does not have specific knowledge to cope with it. If you have any doubts about the choice of one or another type of granite, we recommend that you seek advice from specialists who have experience in working with various types of granite for various operating conditions.
