Granite is the most resilient stone on the market and is thus able to resist very high temperatures. These fire- and heat-resistant properties are brought to light when granite is used as kitchen countertops, since they can be subjected to direct heat from kitchen utensils without altering their surface.
*Granite is stain resistant as long as it is sealed. Granite boulders can withstand extremely high temperatures. *Many granite rocks have holes and cracks, which can sometimes affect their quality of use. *The main drawback of granite boulders is the fact that there is often not a wide range of colors to choose from.
Granite is a surprisingly durable stone—a must-have quality for any high-traffic kitchen. The material is heat-resistant so proximity to a cook-top or briefly setting a hot pan down won't destroy the surface. Similarly, as an extremely hard material, granite won't easily scratch.
Reasons to be Cautious about Granite Countertops
Granite is porous. This means that unsealed or poorly sealed counters can absorb wine, juice or oil, producing a stain that might be impossible to remove. A poorly-sealed countertop can also harbor bacteria in its pores.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.
Granite can be permanently stained if you seal it with a preexisting stain. It can crack when hit by a hard, sharp object like a meat cleaver. Because it's so heavy, granite often requires additional structural support with spans and cantilevers.
Radon released from granite building materials can be released over the lifetime of use but typically will be diluted by ventilation. In addition to radon, naturally occurring radioactive elements in the granite can emit small amounts of beta and gamma radiation.
Cons for Granite Countertops
If homeowners are lax in their maintenance, the porous granite can suck up oils, juice, and wine, which will be impossible to remove. Bacteria can also harbor inside granite if not sealed properly. As Americans utilize their kitchens more, there are more chances for accidents to happen.
Note: Some experts will recommend sealing granite countertops every “6-12 months” or “3-5 years”, but there is no hard and fast rule.
If the granite surface immediately takes in most of the water and develops a dark mark or ring, you need to seal it once every few months. If it takes a few minutes for your stone countertop to soak up all the water, you only need to seal it once every year or two.
After all, will one splatter of spaghetti from Sunday dinner or an accidental wine spill ruin your countertop? The answer is that while no material is completely 100-percent stain-proof, granite countertops are surprisingly stain-resistant— and that includes light colors, too!
Granite is porous and made of natural minerals that can oxidize and cause rust. Also, depending on the type of surface, rust buildup can occur from time to time if your natural stone is not properly sealed.
Because granite tiles are heavy, some flooring may not hold their weight correctly, resulting in improper slopes. A one-square-foot granite floor tile with a depth of 0.75 inches may weigh roughly 12.8 pounds, while an average granite slab with a depth of 1.25 inches could weigh around 18 pounds.
If you are asthmatic or prone to other allergies, granite floor tiles bring good news for you. For such people, it is an incredible flooring option as it resists bacteria and allergens. Granite floor is a little bit rough and this feature makes the stone ideal for floors of all sizes and types.
In comparison to other countertop materials, granite has the capacity to last longer than other materials. Most granite and other natural stones can last anywhere from 100 years or more; whereas marble countertops last an average of 20 years.
Bleach: While bleach is a great disinfectant, it can dull the finish of your granite and in some cases even change its color. There are other, safer, ways to disinfect your stone, so avoid bleach and any products that contain it when cleaning your granite.
The presence of clay allows water to seep in and further weaken the rock allowing it to fracture or crumble into smaller particles, where, ultimately, the grains of silica produced from the granite are relatively resistant to weathering, and may remain almost unaltered.
Everything from white granite and black granite countertops to granite slabs has fallen out of style. The second reason granite countertops have lost their appeal is that the preference for light, simple kitchens has replaced the trend of dark, warm kitchens. Designers quit wanting “movement” and instead wanted peace.
Maintenance and Strength
In other hand, granite tiles are more porous, which can give you a hard time to remove any stains on them. However, granite tiles are one step ahead of ceramic tiles in terms of strength. They are more resistant to impact and friction, which makes them one of the most durable flooring options.
Don't pour soap directly on granite countertops. Stone is porous, and full strength soap can seep into pores causing tough to remove stains. Always dilute your soap with water before cleaning. Don't use an abrasive scrubber.
Granite is naturally resistant to bacteria, but this does not mean it is impervious to germs. Regularly sealing the stone helps the surface resist liquids that can harbor bacteria. Sealing granite closes the tiny crevices and pores where bacteria can thrive.
Mold growth on granite countertops turns them to discolor and turn dark. The mold grows on the surface and cannot be absorbed inside the granite stone. However, mold ruins the look of the beautiful granite countertop. Hence, it is important to renew granite countertops by hiring professional cleaners.
Sealed granite countertops are much less likely to absorb water, however if water is left on your countertop for long periods of time, it can cause a darker spot. Oftentimes, water will just dry and evaporate but if it's been left to sit for a long time, it might needs a bit more help.
# Absolute Black Granite
Black has always remained one of the favorite colors when it comes to the granite used in the bathroom or kitchen areas. It has been best in adding the bathroom or the kitchen with the contemporary impact of the variation taste.