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No two granite countertops are alike, and yet the material is one of the world's most plentiful minerals. It takes an educated professional to determine the scientific properties of granite stones. Grouping the commercial types of granite available for kitchen and bath surfaces, however, is a matter of identifying the different finishes. Naturally quarried granite competes with new engineered composites. These add strength and greater design flexibility to an already beautiful stone. Cut Natural stone must be cut from whole quarried pieces and then surfaced and sized to order. Because colors and qualities vary by scientific and commercial type, you will want to see your chosen piece of stone before going to the trouble of having it installed You may choose your slab in person from a stone yard or from samples through a stone contractor or showroom. Measurements for countertops must be exact, so be sure your contractor guarantees a fit. Honed While a shiny surface is a popular hallmark of granite countertops, honed and textured natural stone has its understated place. Honing is an abbreviated finishing process that leaves the slab opaque, muted and rustic in nature. Honed types of granite are more porous and more likely to stain than polished types. To preserve your honed countertop's muted tone, a color enhancement can be added before finishing and sealing. Polished The glitter of quartz crystals is preserved and enhanced by additional buffing and polishing. You'll see your reflection as well as that of the quartz and feldspar embedded in this natural stone. Known as the top choice in upscale design, polished granite countertops elevate kitchen and bath decor to new heights. High gloss closes some pores, making these types of granite surfaces easier to clean and somewhat more durable than less finished pieces. Satin Satin is a finish that makes the most of granite's natural look without sacrificing all of the imparted shine. It has a more contemporary feel than either unpolished granite or highly buffed pieces. Many countertop fabricators are using texturizing techniques to add depth and a different feel to the hand. Sueded matte and smooth leatherlike finishes change the tone of a room. Engineered Engineered granite countertops are composed of natural stone ground together with resins and additional pigments, like the manufactured quartz countertops that were developed in the late 1980s. These types of granite surfaces can be produced in many thicknesses, making simple overlays possible on existing structures. Real granite tile is porous; engineered granite is not. This eliminates the problem of minute emissions of radon gas as well as creating a more sanitary food preparation surface. In short, as an outstanding business E-platform of promoting stone industry, we have finally become the global top-ranking service provider of trade information, providing the most comprehensive, accurate, and efficient international stone business information for stone enterprises all over the world. If you want to consult us freely, you can also see sculpture or become a loyal follower of us by @ https://twitter.com/stonebtb.
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