Understanding Commercial and True Granite
One
of the most popular and widely used materials for countertops is
granite. Harder than marble, and with a wide variation in its
patterns, this sturdy rock is one of the most suitable options for
kitchen and bathroom use.
How
is granite formed?
The
term “granite”, when used commercially, refers to any type of
crystalline rock formed from mineral grains that were compressed and
subjected together to high temperatures. Because of the way they were
created, these rocks are much harder and tougher than sedimentary
rocks. The latter are formed by the compression of sediments under
less extreme conditions, and include such varieties as limestone and
sandstone.
The
nature of its formation makes granite an igneous or metamorphic rock.
Marble also falls under the same category, but is not as hard as
granite. While granite and marble have very similar qualities, one
property that officially sets them apart is hardness.
True
Granite
To
a geologist, however, true granite is not one that was formed from
other rock particles, but from different minerals in liquid form,
cooling to become rocks under the earth’s surface. Its mineral
components include quartz and feldspar.
Other
stones, such as gabbro, pyroxenite, and schist, are stone varieties
different from granite, but are sold commercially under the general
category of “granite”. Regardless of the variety, commercial
granite can be expected to provide the same qualities of sturdiness
and beauty that has made it a much sought after material for the
home.
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