Granite is a hard igneous rock that forms deep in the earth’s crust through the slow cooling of magma, producing coarse, clearly visible crystals. It consists mainly of feldspar, quartz and mica and is one of the most widely used natural stones in construction.
Application
Granite is very hard, wear-resistant, frost-resistant and low in porosity, making it broadly usable:
- Paving — as setts, kerbs and slabs in heavily loaded areas.
- Facade cladding — as polished or flamed panels.
- Floors and stairs — in public spaces because of its wear resistance.
- Worktops — for its hard, easy-to-clean surface.
The finish determines the appearance: polished (glossy), honed (matt), flamed (rough and non-slip) or bush-hammered. Because of its low porosity, granite absorbs little water, which benefits its frost resistance. It is more acid-resistant than limestone or marble. Drawbacks are its high weight and the effort of working it; sawing and polishing granite requires special tools.
Related terms
- Natural stone
- Gneiss
- Bluestone
- Paving
- Facade cladding
Want to know more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base on fredsdiyplans.com.