Granite

Granite, the versatile natural stone

Beauty, durability, strength and many other qualities: this is what granite brings to your home, and why so many people choose it for their house or flat.

Granite is a Natural stonewhich, because of its composition, is one of the most common and technically important building materials.

Its texture, range of colours, robustness and durability make it ideal for indoors and outdoors. With its natural charisma and refined effect, it is one of the most popular natural stones.

Properties of granite

Granite makes up a large part of the continental crust and is an igneous rock. Its name comes from the Latin granum, grain, and describes its granular structure.

It formed in several geological eras when magma rose through fissures towards the earth’s surface. Under high pressure, the minerals in the liquid magma crystallised, which gives the rock its typical crystalline structure.

The oldest granites are found in Sweden, Great Britain and Arizona. Because of the way it formed, granite is extremely strong. Many people are won over by its robustness: stains, chemical or mechanical damage and heat can hardly harm it.

 

It withstands many weather conditions and is far less sensitive to temperature changes than other natural stones.

Granite can be polished, brushed or flamed. Granite slabs come in many colours, patterns and price ranges, which is why our customers often choose them.

Types of granite

Granite slabs suit any interior style. Every slab is one of a kind and no two pieces are alike.

You can choose from many textures, patterns and shades: from rich earth tones and lively green, blue, red or yellow to classic black, grey and white.

In the wide range at Marnit you are sure to find the granite slab that suits your rooms perfectly.

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By grain size, a distinction is made between fine-grained (approx. 2 mm), medium-grained (2 to 5 mm) and coarse-grained granite (over 5 mm). The smaller the grain, the stronger and more stable the granite.

Care

Granite is not only robust and unique, but also easy to care for. It is enough to clean it regularly and seal the joints between the slabs so that stains and liquids cannot penetrate.

How often it needs sealing depends on the type. As a rule of thumb: about once a year.

Versatile uses

Granite is regarded as one of the most versatile natural stones, indoors and out. In the past, roads were often paved with it, and many town squares are still paved with granite setts today.

Here you can see where you can use it yourself.

Window sills

Granite is a very common choice for outdoor and indoor window sills. It is extremely weatherproof, does not react chemically to water, sun or light and leaves no rust marks on the facade, which otherwise often happens.

Stone steps

Granite steps are also suitable for indoors and outdoors. Indoors, polished granite is mostly used; outdoors, flamed granite, which is also slip-resistant.

Granite staircases are popular for several reasons: their natural appearance looks unique and elegant, and the material is resistant and easy to care for and clean.

Outdoor floors

Outdoor floors need robust materials, because besides all the wear and tear they are exposed to changing weather. Granite is therefore the first and right choice. At the same time, a granite floor is a visual asset to its surroundings.

Kitchen worktops

A made-to-measure granite kitchen worktop gives the room a refined, timeless look and comes in many variations. Thanks to its strength, water, sharp blades and hot pans cannot harm it. Damage is hardly possible, and its service life is long.

Memorials

Granite is also often chosen for memorials, because it needs no special care, is resistant and is regarded as a stone for eternity. We make memorials to order and take your wishes into account.

Qualities and advantages of granite

1. Durability. The best fine-grained types of granite show the first signs of decay only after more than 500 years. That is why it is often called the “eternal” stone.
2. Strength. Granite is highly resistant to friction, pressure and wear. It is very dense and robust.
3. Resistant to weather and acids. Granite is ideal for the exteriors of buildings.
4. Impermeable to water. Granite absorbs practically no moisture, which makes it ideal for stabilising embankments.
5. Environmentally friendly. Granite is safe in terms of radiation and suitable for all building projects without restriction.
6. Rich texture. Unpolished, it is a rough stone that absorbs light.
7. Easy to combine. Granite goes perfectly with wood, metal, ceramics and other modern building materials. It fits into any interior, from classic to modern.
8. Wide colour palette. Grey granite is the most common, but it also comes in red, pink, orange, blue-grey and blue-green.

Things you surely did not know about granite

Already wondering where granite could go in your home? Here are some interesting examples.

• The pedestal of the Statue of Liberty is made of granite.
• The third-highest mountain in the world, Kangchenjunga in the Himalayas (8,586 m), is also made of granite.
• The first commercial railway in the USA was built to transport granite.
• Granite is even indispensable in sport, for example for curling stones.
• The historic residence of the King of Spain, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, is the largest building made of grey granite.
• This lively material has a calming effect and brings cosiness and tranquillity into the home.

 

Choose a timeless stone: granite. With its classic, unique look, your home will still delight for many years to come. It stands out for its versatility, robustness, easy care and wide choice of patterns.

Visit us. In our showroom you can see the granite slabs on site.

Stonemasons Marnit – with over 100 years of tradition