Granite

Granite is formed deep in the earth's mantle at extremely high temperatures and is a very hard, resistant stone made of crystallized minerals. Granite can be pink to dark gray or even black, depending on their chemistry. Because granite is formed by extreme heat and pressure under the earth's crust it is virtually impervious to heat.

Flamed Granite

Granite is flamed by applying blowtorch-strength heat to the surface of the stone, which causes the surface to melt and some of the crystals to shatter. This gives the granite a highly textured surface which makes it ideal for exterior paving, wet areas or any surface where non-slipperiness is essential.

Honed Granite

Strictly speaking, granite is called "honed" when the polishing process is halted just before a reflective shiny surface is achieved. This gives the granite a softer, matte appearance which does not show etching as quickly as polished granite does.

Granite Uses

Granite is one of the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing stones available, comes in many colours and sizes and is one of the most popular construction and building materials for new homes. Many home owners are now using granite countertops in their kitchens and bathrooms. It is also widely used as mantelpieces, fireplace surrounds, bar tops, tiles and flooring. The granite is usually polished to give it a shiny and modern look. Polished granite is considered durable for floors but it can be slippery to walk on. It is also used for paving, monuments, statues, gravestones and sculptures. In the sports world, curling rocks are traditionally being fashioned from granite.

Benefits of Granite

• Hypoallergenic, allergen and bacteria resistant
• It is a very versatile stone
• Stain, scratch and heat resistant
• Granite is durable and can withstand foot-traffic without much damage to the surface
• Very beautiful and aesthetically pleasing
• There are hundreds of colours to choose from
• Long-lasting polished finish

Marble

The marble family i.e. marble, limestone, travertine and onyx starts out as sediment, animal skeletons and shells, plant matter and silt at the bottom of bodies of water. After millions of years this solidifies into stone. The main component of marble is calcium and it can therefore be affected by acids such as vinegar and citrus beverages. Some marble have very little pattern (some are totally pure white) so stains and marring stand out more.

Commercially, the term "marble" applies to any compact limestone that will take a polish, which includes most of the colored marbles, except some of the greens.

Because of marble's more porous properties, it is not recommended for kitchens or bar tops. Marble applications include bathroom vanities, shower and fireplace surrounds.

Honed Marble

Marble, travertine, or limestone that is honed has a matte or satin finish, rather than a high reflective polish. This is achieved at the factory by stopping just short of the last stage of polishing. One feature of honed marble is that it doesn’t show etching as readily, or wear patterns on floors. It is preferred by some because it has a less formal, softer appearance than polished stone.

Marble Uses

Marble has been used for centuries in just about every possible application, both interior and exterior. It is used for stone home furnishings, countertops, floors, tables, pillars, hot plates, fireplaces, tiles, gravestones, statues, sculptures and bathroom applications. It is soft and is easy to carve or cut into shapes. Marble make impressive dining room pieces, functional as end tables in the bedroom and make an elegant first impression when positioned in the foyer. Marble flooring throughout the home is popular because, in addition to its aesthetic appeal and easy maintenance, it substantially raises your property's value and keeps it cool in hot weather.

Benefits of Marble

• Hypoallergenic, allergen and bacteria resistant
• Stain, scratch and heat resistant
• Easy and effective cleaning
• Very beautiful and every slab of marble is unique
• Marble comes in every color imaginable
• Long-lasting polished finish