Black granite
If you are looking towards remodelling or updating your kitchen, or are willing to add value and eye appeal to your home, black granite worktops are the answer. They add a beautiful, one of a kind "wow" factor that gives your kitchen true class and individuality. Black granite will last for a lifetime, and properly maintained, will retain its good looks just as long.
Granite is created in the earth by molten rock. The only substance harder than granite is the diamond! Black granite is not the result of a hodgepodge of chemicals from a laboratory or knocked together in a factory; artisans treat it with respect because Mother Earth made it. The fascinating magic of granite is that, even if taken from the same quarry, no two surfaces are the same.
Black is, of course, the classic colour. It never goes out of style. The message black granite worktops convey is that you care enough about your cookery and how you accomplish it to have a natural, beautiful space on which to work. If you love to cook, working on this unique surface will increase your pleasure immeasurably. Even if you aren't that talented a cook, black granite kitchen worktops makes it look like you are!
Diamond polishing tools give a rich, glossy effect to the stone. A penetrating sealant on the surface of the black granite is what gives it that incredible shine and makes it so easy to clean and polish.
To preserve the integrity of the sealant and polished surface, there are precious few rules. Don't cut directly on the surface as you can scratch it. Don't let acidic foods such as lemons, soda pop, or vinegar sit on the surface, to prevent damage. Even though hot pots can be set directly on the granite, sometimes a discoloration can occur; these can be buffed out by fine steel wool applied lightly. Any kind of glue-type residue can be scraped off with a credit card or single-sided razor blade.
How do you clean the black granite surface? That's incredibly easy; do it with water and a mild, PH balanced dish soap. Polish with a soft cloth to keep the sheen bright. If correctly looked after, your gleaming black granite counter top will last you a lifetime.
When the time comes to install your new black granite counters, the installer will make a template of the surface area; that is, precise measurements of the cabinetry the slabs will rest on, taking into account any electrical sockets, sinks, and taps. Before placing the black granite, the cabinetry may need reinforcing with some metal rods and plywood to make sure the new surface will be level, and to add strength to its foundation.
Then, the granite slabs will be cut to measure with a diamond tip saw.
The value you add to your home is one important consideration when considering black granite; the other is the pleasure you will have at the gleam and polish you've added to your kitchen.
The Beauty of Black Granite Worktops
Black granite is by far the most popular type of granite used on worktops. Its unique style brings life and shine to any kitchen. And because black granite is a harder and denser than other granite colours, it is perfect as a food preparation surface. Black granite is less prone to heat stains and maintains its polished shine for years.
Because black granite is so popular, it's an excellent way to prepare your home for sale, adding much more than just resale value. Black granite will make your home more desirable. After all, the kitchen can make or break the sale of a home. Many buyers want a home with a kitchen that is modern, beautiful and ready to serve their needs as soon as they move in. By including black granite in the kitchen, your renovations will go a long way towards making the kitchen more attractive and the home more desirable to buyers.
The term "black" can mean a few things when speaking of black granite worktops. There are several varieties of black granite that can be used for worktops, some of which are actually a form of basalt with similar properties to granite. Absolute Black is the darkest and has vary little pattern or variation in it. Absolute black's uniform appearance makes it the most popular type of black granite worktop. Black Pearl on the other hand shows an opalescent pattern on a black background. Another colour, Star Galaxy, has a dark black background spread throughout with copper and bronze flecks of colour. Each of these types of granite can vary in appearance depending on where it was quarried and the quality.
Many countries produce black granite worktops. It is quarried in countries like Italy, Sardinia, Spain, Norway, Finland, Ukraine, India, China, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Mining methods vary in different parts of the world. For instance, most Eurasian quarries use water to cut and polish the stone, but some countries use kerosene, which may result in unpleasant odours and discolorations. This is because kerosene can activate some dormant ferrous and ferric particles in the granite, which can be harmful when they eventually rise to the surface.
First Choice is the best black granite you can buy. It will be cut to size with little wastage and polished to a high gloss depth of approximately 95%. Commercial Quality black granite will have some obvious defects. You may notice small hairline cracks, blotches, clouds or lines. A good fabricator can still produce a high-quality worktop from this stone, but he must have a good knowledge of the trade. At times it can only be polished to 80%.
Second Quality granite is not used in kitchen worktops. The wastage is too high to produce a single worktop slab. This quality of granite is full of natural defects and blotches which can be repaired for use in tile or other products.
There are many reasons to use black granite for your kitchen worktop besides the beauty and prestige. Practical reasons come into play as well. For instance, granite is highly durable and will last a lifetime. Knives will not mar the surface nor will stains set in. Black granite worktops can be polished with a simple solution of water and 10% kitchen cleaner to stay brilliant and beautiful forever.
