Natural Stone Countertops, SenSa® Granite Countertops, South Carolina, SC

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Granite has recently become the countertop of choice for both builders and homeowners looking to remodel their home. It's easy to understand why. Not only is it beautiful and elegant but it also can increase property value. Oldcastle Surfaces can fabricate granite into kitchen countertops, vanities, tub surrounds, outdoor bars, fireplace mantel surrounds and even window sills. Granite is durable, easy to maintain and has unbeatable toughness. It's already millions of years old, so with proper care it can last for generations.

There are literally hundreds of granite colors to choose from. One of the most unique things about this stone is you will never see two identical slabs. There will always be some sort of variation in color and veining, going from a very slight difference to a completely diverse pattern in two different slabs. Each piece of granite is unique, and has its own personality. The natural movement, colors, and crystals of granite are properties that even though attempted, are unmatched by any man made surface.

Granite is composed primarily of quartz, mica and feldspar. Due to its crystalline structure, granite will always have tiny pits or spaces between the various mineral crystals. Granite sometimes has natural fissures as well. These fissures may appear to be cracks but are not actually structural defects and will not affect the function or durability of the stone. These occur naturally and are considered to be a part of the natural beauty of the material. A product of nature cannot be expected to look manmade.

Of all the natural stones used for remodeling the kitchen or home, granite is by far the hardest and most durable material. Granite is second only to diamonds in terms of hardness. This means that very little will ever scratch your granite countertop. However, granite is not unbreakable. It can be chipped or cracked if it is abused or struck by a heavy object. Granite will not scorch or burn through ordinary use. Never the less, it is recommended that you use both a trivet and a cutting board to protect your tops. Besides the fact that granite will ruin your knives; your countertops are an investment so you should treat them like one.

Granite's porosity varies from color to color. Lighter colors tend to be more porous than darker colors. Due to its porosity, sealing is recommended to prevent staining. It's a simple wipe on wipe off application. When you apply a sealer the pours of the granite absorb the liquid which in turn repels food and liquids from penetrating the stone. Traditionally, homeowners have been told to seal their granite every 6 months to a year.

However, with the advancements that have been made in sealing products, some sealers only need to be reapplied every 3 - 5 years. Check the information on the back of the sealer and follow the recommendations. You can do a very simple test to find out if your stone is sufficiently sealed. Spill a few drops of water on your countertops. The water should bead up like on a waxed car. Wait a few minutes, and then wipe it up. If your stone does not darken, your counter top is sufficiently sealed. If the water does not bead on the surface, and your stone absorbed the water, making the stone darker, your stone needs to be resealed.

Granite DOES NOT naturally harbor harmful bacteria. Bacteria, like any other living organism, needs something to eat in order to live. Bacteria cannot eat granite. Granite has performed extremely well in testing; performing second only to stainless steel in its ability to resist bacterial growth. Still, it is essential that your countertop be cleaned after raw food has touched the surface. An unclean countertop can harbor bacteria on its surface regardless of what material is used.

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