Granite is a light-colored igneous rock with large, visible grains formed through the magma’s slow crystallization below the Earth’s surface. This prestige material has various uses and applications that can create an impression of quality, elegance, and sophistication. It is best for construction projects like residential properties, commercial buildings, bridges, paving, monuments, and other exterior projects. For interior projects, on the other hand, its slabs and tiles can be used for countertops, floors, stair treads, and other design elements.
There are a few elements to factor in when looking for granite materials for your construction or installation project. Here are four key elements to consider when checking the quality of a granite product:
1. Origin
There’s no doubt that granite is abundant, as it can be sourced from different parts of the world. As such, the origin may not necessarily be a factor in valuing its overall quality. However, know that while it doesn’t determine the material quality, it will certainly dictate the cost. For instance, products from China can be the most affordable due to low labor costs, while those coming from Italy and Brazil will be quite costly. For this reason, you need to know the granite’s origin when making a purchase decision for your specific project.
2. Thickness
For the uninitiated, granite is obtained from the Earth’s surface in huge slabs, which are then cut into thinner chunks in selected manufacturing facilities. While some manufacturers come up with thick materials, others produce thin ones to have more counters out of one big slab. If it measures less than one-inch thick, then it can have less strength and durability. As thick granites have a higher quality than thin ones, you must opt for thick products instead.
3. Appearance
Of course, the visual appearance has much to say about the type of granite products. These materials are installed to produce an impression of class and quality for any construction or design project. If you notice some baby cracks, dings, dents, scratches, or uneven surfaces on the granite products, they can be a red flag that the manufactured items are not produced according to standard. For this reason, be highly critical of these visible signs so that you can make the right selection for your project.
4. Porosity
Granite materials are typically porous, but their porosity varies from one product to another. As you may or may not be aware, porosity is a measure of the void spaces in a material, which can determine its overall durability and longevity. As liquid can easily and quickly penetrate these minutes spaces, granite materials with large pores can face problems. The less porous the material is, the more durable it is, and the longer it will last. This is why you must always go for less porous granite products.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that different manufacturers and stores have their own in-house systems to assess and determine various granite grades. For your reference, however, be sure to factor in the material’s origin, thickness, appearance, and porosity, as discussed above. All these will determine your granite’s quality that will determine the overall outcome of your construction or design project.
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