Granite is a -popular home-building material. Chances are you have granite countertops, flooring, tables, or other kinds of granite features in your home. Granite offers many advantages, including durability, strength, aesthetic appeal, low maintenance, and versatility.
Most people know that granite is a rock, but not much more. In this post, we’re going to define what granite is, how it’s formed, and how it ends up in a home or business.
What is Granite, And How is it Formed?
Granite is a common type of igneous rock. It is primarily composed of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica. The exact mineral composition can vary depending on the specific type of granite.
Granite begins its formation deep within the Earth’s crust, where temperatures are high enough to melt rocks. When this molten rock, called magma, rises toward the surface, it undergoes a slow cooling and solidification process. By slow, we mean thousands to millions of years.
As the magma cools, the minerals within solidify into a crystalline structure. The long cooling process allows for the growth of large interlocking crystals, giving granite its characteristic coarse-grained texture. The rate of cooling is crucial in determining the size of the mineral crystals that form.
How Does Granite End Up As a Building Material?
Eventually, the granite extrudes to the surface. Granite deposits are found in various parts of the world. Granite is quarried through a process that involves several steps, from locating the granite deposit to extracting the stone blocks. Drills, wedges, and hydraulic splitters are used to split the granite into manageable blocks.
The granite blocks are transported from the quarry to a processing facility or storage area. At the processing facility, the granite blocks are cut into slabs or tiles of various thicknesses using saws equipped with diamond blades. These slabs are then polished to achieve the desired finish.
There are several granite quarries in California, particularly in the Sierra Nevada foothills region, where granite formations are abundant. Sierra White, Sierra Nevada Red, and California White are some of the many granite varieties quarried in California. These granites are used for a wide range of applications, such as building facades, monuments, countertops, landscaping, and decorative purposes.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance Keeps Your Granite in Great Condition
While granite is a very durable material, it can be stained, cracked, and chipped over time. Regular cleaning and maintenance are the key to keeping granite in prime condition. For the best results, employ the services of an experienced professional with the training and tools to properly clean, reseal, and repair your granite features.
Premiere Granite Cleaning Services in Los Angeles
When home and business owners need reliable granite cleaning, repair, and maintenance, they turn to Fuller Granite Repair. Granite Fuller Repair has been providing residential and commercial granite care services in Los Angeles since 1993. Our services include granite cleaning, polishing, restoring, sealing, repairing, and much more.
We are a licensed contractor with public liability insurance. We are 100% claim-free. You can count on us to provide quality work. Some of our clients have included the Los Angeles Museum of Art, Torrance Memorial Hospital, American Martyrs Catholic Church, and Beverly Hills Hotel.
You can reach Fuller Granite Repair using our online contact form or call us at 855-289-1738 to get a free quote.