Naturally, granites’ color range from black, white, gray, red, green, blue, brown, and yellowish-brown, and gold. The mixture of these minerals gives granite its rich color and texture.īelow are the different mineral components of granite and their colors On average, the mineral composition of granite are as follows – 5-15% micas, 20-60% quartz, and 10-65% feldspar. The molten rocks, the origin of granite, is a mixture of various minerals with specific colors. Mineral Components of Granite and Their Colors

The very reason why they have larger crystal structures because the cooling process is gradual. Intrusive igneous means they are cooled beneath the earth’s crust and when they came out, they were solid already. Granite is technically intrusive igneous rocks characterized with small flecks of various minerals with a few veinings. This idea will give us a more solid decision on what type of granite best suits our preference for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Today, let us know more of the variety of granite in the market, their colors and a brief description of them. They are the top pick because of their timeless beauty and impervious strength against heat and scratches. The reason hot water is used is because it has smaller molecules.Granite countertops are one of the popular choices for home remodeling and in commercial establishments. If the stone darkens, it’s still absorbing moisture. Kornet offers these tips for identifying when it is time to reseal, “Put a little hot water on an area, let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes, and then wipe it off. It is typically as easy as spraying the product on and then wiping off the excess. It provides good water, oil, and grease resistance.” Penetrating (or impregnating) sealers work just below the stone surface to provide additional safeguard against stains.Ĭheck the manufacturers recommendations for how the product should be applied. “Reseal these countertops using a penetrating sealer. “The kitchen is the heart of the home and is used every day, and the bathroom has constant daily water exposure,” says Tabbah. Our experts recommend sealing most granites, but the timeline can vary depending on use and which sealer was applied. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Volpe for Flemington Granite & Architectural Supply. You won’t get that with the right daily cleaner.” “Soap has a fatty acid that leaves a greasy film, which can dull or leave streaks on stone surfaces. He notes that people often use dish detergent to clean their granite countertops, which he does not recommend. A natural stone cleaner made for daily use should not leave residue on stone, which Kornet says is important. It’s important to read labels-most major brands of cleaners make a version that is safe for stone surfaces. “You don’t need to use a harsh soap because nothing sticks to granite it’s a smooth surface.” Roth recommends getting into a routine of wiping granite counters daily with a neutral cleaner. “If you have polished granite, it’s very difficult for it to lose its shine.” Daily Maintenance “Granite is a good choice for kitchen countertops because it’s not sensitive to most common household acids,” adds Brian Kornet, owner and president of Fabra-Clean in Plainview, New York. Otherwise, granite countertops need very little upkeep.”

“Most of the granite restoration calls we receive are for countertops that are 10 to 15 year old, when they become dull around sink and work areas. “Granite is one of the easiest to care for stones you can use in your home,” says Galen Roth, owner of Roth Restoration in Charleston, SC.

Black forest granite counter tops