What exactly is granite ?
The geological, scientific defiinition of granite essentially describes it as cooled volcanic magma; plutonic rock that is found in a vast array of colours, dictated by the levels of feldspar, white quartz and black ferromagnesian minerals contained within a particular granite stone. These varying levels of content also lead to differing degrees of rigidity; therefore, within the granite industry at least, any igneous plutonic rock of this origin that is suitable for both cutting, handling & polishing is referred to as granite.
What is granite used for?
As such a tough, durable and attractive natural stone, the uses for granite are as historic as it's heritage suggests. Some of the oldest structures we see around us, particularly churches from the more distant past (and many old structures from more the more recent 1900's) will exhibit granite as some of the integral features of its internal decoration. At the time, granite was a great deal harder to readily use and therefore even more greatly revered; in the modern world, of course,technological advances have made the extraction process in quarries a great deal easier and more accessible. Today, granite will be found as part of both indoor & outdoor features, in various forms from worktops, to pedestals, to headstones.
The most common usages of granite in trade and consumer industry include (but are not limited to) architectural structuring (as whole features or panels), stairs/supports, floor coverings/pavings, signage/marker stones, window/cove mountings, barriers/railings, various furniture types, monuments/pedestals, countertops/surfaces, retaining walls... the list goes on. Diversity is certainly a key strength of granite stone.
Why use granite in my own project?
As stated above, granite is unique in in its strength and availability of colours. For a durable, long-lasting natural finish that can be cut to specification, and sourced in a colour to suit any taste, there really is no comparison to granite. The variety of colors, textures and finishes available from such a strong natural material lend it well to the construction and building industries, which is why it is used extensively within numerous projects worldwide requiring both long-term durability and an aesthetically pleasing and eye-catching finish.
Granite's excellent resistance to external factors adds further to it's fantastic longevity. Corrosion from cold, pollution and acid rain on exterior granite surfaces is admirable; equally impressive is the resistance to wear or interior and floor-based usage. For the noise conscious, granite is also an excellent sound dampener, another trait popular for some more specifc projects. The green-conscious also hold a great admiration for granite's impressive thermal inertia (its ability to retain heat and reduce heat loss). Knowing that all this comes from a naturally formed stone thats molecular structure requires no human or chemical intervention only makes granite all the more a true wonder of the world.
OK; But what does granite really cost?
The cost of granite varies according to the type of granite used. Quarry & site conditions can play a major factor in this; particularly if the quarry is a long way from the plants where the raw materials will be processed into usable granite. Strange as it may seem, very often the price of a granite is not always a direct reflection of it's rarity or colour type; more often it is these logistical quarry factors and the quality of material itself.
Upon the beginnings of integration into a templated project, other cost factors inveitably come into play. Foremost of these cost factors is almost certainly job complexity for most granite suppliers. Particularly difficult projects to navigate, with templates that perhaps include many pre-installed features and elements to work around, will invetably require more input (and cost) in the cutting and preparing process. This is where bespoke granite surfaces are extremely advantageous, of course, as particular lengths will be pre-cut to size in large batches for use in a variety of projects. Through this bespoke production process, the cost is reduced as multiple panels can be produced to a given size, and additionally the machines are speifically calibrated to handle the given dimensions of granite, meaning any slight risk of error is even further reduced.
Fine details, such as polished edges, sink drainage & furnished cut-outs also carry a cost with them. Similarly, rounded corners rather than traditional square-corned finishing results in some material wastage, which will increase both production time and cost to a degree. By choosing a knowledgeable, trustworthy granite supplier, you will be able to get a template drawn up for your project prior to installation, and any cost factors such as these will be discussed so that you'll know exactly what you're paying for.
Understandably, there is a cost involved in getting the granite from supplier to project too! Granite is a heavy and difficult material to handle in inexperienced hands, due to it's size and nature, and thickness will contribute significantly to the weight of your freight; a supplier should certainly have an expert on hand to advise you on the best way forward for you and your granite project where all of these factors are concerned.
Granite's for me, but who do I choose to install it?
As with so many things in life, the adage 'Fail to plan, plan to fail' rings true in the granite & stone industry as well. Many of you may have already experienced the short end of the stick where 'cowboy' builders & installers are concerned; the last thing you want is a granite project that will not stand the true test of it's time, or worse, will not even stand to begin with!
There are many companies who may claim to be specialists at handling granite, marble and natural stones, with a particular increase in the suppliers of natural stone & granite interior design. Both furnishing and kitchen countertops rank highest amongst this area of stone industry, with the growing demand for a granite finish leading to this increase in companies. Although it is true, you may well be able to purchase your furnishings from some of these companies, there is no subsititute for experience, knowledge, and equipment. Many firms will have only a limited production capacity, perhaps working with limited sizes and complexities of granite projects. Additionally there are even fewer who are equipped to handle the raw granite materials themselves; with no ability to cut, handle and transform the original granite stone, they will be relying on supply from another company. This of course, introduces another variable in the sourcing, and potentially the quality of the granite stone itself.
When you consider using a company, don't be afraid to talk to them first about the tools, suppliers and sourcing of granite that they use; only then will you get a true reflection of the company itself, and some idea of how well equipped they truly are to turn your granite dreams into a long-lasting reality.
