Nature's Stone & Cabinets, LLC in Burnsville, MN

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Selecting Granite or Stone for Your Home

Choosing granite for your home is a very personal decision, much like selecting wallpaper or artwork. You have many options when it comes to beautiful, long-lasting natural stone or granite for your home. While there is a complete spectrum of stone colors and grades to consider, some are better suited than others for particular uses in and around your home. This guide can help you explore your options and offer guidance on choosing the best granite countertop for your home project.

Factors to Consider in Selecting Granite or Stone

Granite and Stone Colors

Natural granite stones are available in a beautiful spectrum of colors. Colors in granite and marble can range from soft beiges and pinks to classic black-and-whites. They are also available in rich corals, greens, and multi-colors. Marble traditionally features swirls and "veins" of colors, while granite has a flecked or pebbled appearance. Unlike artificially manufactured stone materials, natural granite has a naturally varied appearance and has wonderful character. Granite stone creates a one-of-a-kind effect everywhere it's used.

Granite and Stone Finishes

Natural stone can be polished, honed, or flamed for a distinct appearance:

• A polished finish has a glossy surface that reflects light and emphasizes the color and marking of the stone. This finish is typically used on walls, furniture tops, and floor tiles.
• A honed finish is a satin-smooth surface with relatively little light reflection. It is generally preferred for floors, stair treads, thresholds, and other areas where heavy traffic will wear off a polished finish.
• A flamed finish is a rough-textured surface used frequently on granite floor tiles.

Granite and Stone Hardness

The harder the stone, the more it resists abrasion. One measure of a natural stone's strength it its Measurement of Hardness (MOH) rating, of which 1 is the softest and 10 is the hardest. On the MOH scale, most marbles rate "3" and quartz-based granites rate "7." Using a softer stone requires the homeowner to use gentler cleansers and more frequent dusting to prevent scratching (see our page on Granite Maintenance).

Granite Maintenance & Frequently Asked Questions

What is granite?

Granite is an igneous rock. This means that at one time during its development, it was melted like volcanic lava. Unlike lava, however, this melted rock never reached the surface. It remained trapped inside, where it slowly cooled and crystallized, resulting in a very uniform, speckled stone that ranges in color from blacks and grays to pinks, browns, and reds. Polished granite is a very durable stone, much harder than marble. Granite has been popularly used for commercial purposes for many years. Granite can often be found on building exteriors, interior walls, and high-traffic floors. Granite will withstand almost any element including heat and cold.

Why should I choose granite rather than synthetic stone?

Even the finest synthetic stones can't match natural granite's beautiful range of colors and textures, versatility, durability, and lasting value.

How do I clean my granite top?

While granite is approximately 95-98% stain resistant, we use a silicone impregnator on all our natural stone products. This insures long-lasting life and beauty. Polished granite should be cleaned regularly using a mild phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dish-soap followed by a rinse. Soap flakes or powders, which contain no aromatics, may also be used. A thorough drying with a cotton-flannel cloth or a chamois should follow cleaning.

Will granite stain?

Contrary to what you may have heard or read, granite will stain if it is not properly sealed. Should the surface become stained before it has been sealed, several applications of a poultice powder cleanser will remove the stain. To protect your new granite, we provide a very high quality sealer with your countertop order at no additional charge.

Can I use my kitchen knives directly on the granite surface or will it scratch?

Granite is one of the hardest materials on earth, ranking close to that of quartz and diamonds. You will not scratch the countertop using an ordinary kitchen knife, however, you will ruin the knife. Generally it is not advisable to use granite as a cutting board. Specialty knives that contain diamond chips or tungsten blades can scratch granite as well.

Will granite chip or burn?

Granite will not burn. Also, under normal circumstances, granite will not chip or crack. It would require an excessive impact to chip a granite surface. In the event you chipped the surface, the blemish can be filled with a granite stone dust epoxy.

How do you make the cutout for my sink or drop-in cook top?

Cutouts that are required are done at our factory before shipping the countertop. If you do not have the measurements for your sink, range top, etc., you will need to contact the manufacturer to obtain these measurements. Cutout measurements for these products are usually found in the literature accompanying the appliance or sink.

How should I maintain my granite countertop?

A high quality marble sealer should be used on your granite countertops twice per year.