From the Depth of the Earth to Our Countertops
Granite is a type of igneous rock that is created through the gradual crystallization of magma beneath the Earth’s surface. The primary components of granite are quartz and feldspar, along with small quantities of mica, amphiboles, and other minerals. Typically, granite exhibits hues of red, pink, gray, or white, with dark mineral grains interspersed within the rock.
Granite is widely recognized as the most familiar igneous rock. Its prevalence at the Earth’s surface and its use in various everyday objects make it a familiar sight to many. From countertops to floor tiles, paving stones to building veneers, and even cemetery monuments, granite is a versatile material that can be found in urban environments and beyond.
Incredibly durable and eternally stylish, paired with its resistance to wear, granite is a perfect choice for both indoor and outdoor applications. Its spectacular beauty, practicality, and authenticity all come together seamlessly with granite.
Benefits of Granite in Designing:
Granite, like travertine and marble, is one of the most popular building materials with many advantages. Some of these advantages include:
1- High strength and resistance to wear and fracture:
Granite is a hard and resistant rock with high tensile and flexural strength, able to withstand pressure, wear, and bending forces. This makes it suitable for applications such as flooring, and indoor and outdoor design. In addition, Granite is highly resistant to cracking due to its hardness and good mechanical properties, making it durable and long-lasting.
2- Low absorption of water and oil in most cases:
Granite absorbs very little water and oil, drying quickly when exposed to liquids without leaving stains, making it ideal for surfaces like countertops and kitchen tables as well as applications like sinks and outdoor stairs.
3 – Aesthetics:
Granite has natural beauty and design with minimal color and vein variation, making it suitable for interior use and decorative complements.
4 – Resistance to scratches:
Granite is resistant to scratches and maintains a strong appearance, making it ideal for flooring and work surfaces.
5 – Heat and fire resistance:
Granite stands out as the most durable stone available and is known for its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures. Its heat and fire resistance make it an ideal choice for kitchen countertops, allowing hot kitchen tools to be placed directly on the surface without causing any damage.
6 – Suitable for high-traffic areas:
Unlike marble, granite can be used in busy and high-traffic areas due to its high resistance and hardness.
Granite is generally recognized as a reliable and beautiful building material with numerous advantages for various purposes.
Granite Color Diversity
Granite comes in various colors, commonly seen in white, gray, red, pink, green, and yellow. Additionally, diverse colors such as blue, brown, and black can also be found in granites. The color variety in granite stones is due to the presence of different minerals in their formation.
In Iran, granite stones are often categorized into four main types based on color and appearance: black granite, gray granite, green granite, and red granite
Black Granite
Black granite:
Black granite is composed of feldspar and labradorite. When illuminated, the crystalline flecks on its surface create a stunning visual impact. Despite its apparent simplicity, Black granite can be adapted into numerous variations and utilized in various applications. When used as a countertop in a kitchen or bathroom with white and beige cabinets, it stands out prominently. Its beauty is enhanced when paired with soft hues like pastel greens and yellows. As a flooring material, it provides a striking contrast to both traditional smooth walls and modern edgy decor. Additionally, when combined with bold deep blues, this exquisite granite effectively complements their aesthetic appeal.
Black granite from Natanz and Tooyserkan are recognized as two famous types of black granite in Iran. Black granite from Natanz and Tooyserkan has a dark color and a uniform appearance that makes it very attractive for use in buildings and decorations. Additionally, is also used for making decorative pieces and tombs due to its dark color and consistent appearance. The most important black granite mines in Iran are located in Natanz, Tooyserkan, Almout, and Semnan.
Grey Granite
Grey Granite:
When it comes to choosing the ideal kitchen or bathroom surfaces, grey granite comes above the option list. Surrey Marble and Granite is dedicated to providing a stunning selection of grey granite worktops that enhance both the visual appeal and practicality of your home. Grey granite’s neutral yet impressive look embodies sophistication and resilience, making it a popular choice among homeowners worldwide.
There are a lot of grey granite quarries in many cities of Iran that manufacture and supply this stone with high quality.
Green Granite
Green granites are a unique type of granite that has been utilized in various industries and design projects. They have been integral in creating stunning, luxurious buildings since ancient times. The use of green granite dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was a primary material for constructing pyramids.
With the continuous evolution of modern architecture and advancements in aesthetics, companies and designers are constantly seeking the perfect material to meet their customers’ needs. This has resulted in a high demand for green granite stones, as they represent a fusion of science and art, making them a fitting choice for global companies and designers.
To fully appreciate the exceptional properties of green granite stones, it is important to understand their unique characteristics. Throughout history, granite has been highly favored for its appealing appearance and beauty, making it a sought-after element in various designs.
This stone can be used alone or in combination with other stones to create various beautiful designs.
Iranian green granites, especially those from the Birjand mine, are considered some of the most beautiful and diverse types of granite in the world. The high variety of designs and colors in these granites makes them very popular for use in interior and exterior building designs.
Red Granite
Ranging from intense red tones to warm earthy shades with hints of grey, green, or black veins, as well as stunning vibrant red variations due to their quartz crystal combinations, red granite stands out among construction materials. This bold and suggestive collection exudes strong visual impact, thanks to its diverse palette of colors that inspire innovative decorative ideas. This stone is processed into slabs, tiles, cubes, and stone tables.
Uniformity, high resistance, and red color are among the most prominent features of red granite. Compared to other stones, red granite has higher resistance and very low water absorption. Certainly, when red granite is used alongside other stones, it creates a beautiful effect. Among granites, if you are interested in using red color in your building, our recommendation is red granite.
According to statistics, Iranian red granite is one of the country’s important exports. In 2023, Iran exported over 500,000 tons of red granite to countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, China, and Greece.
Application of Granite Stone
Granite stone is one of the mineral stones that is used in many applications due to its physical and chemical properties. Some uses of granite stone include:
Construction:
Granite stone is used in various construction projects due to its high resistance to pressure, scratches, and heat. Some construction applications for which granite stone is used include flooring, building walls, kitchens and bathrooms, stairs, and stone carpets.
Interior and Exterior Decoration:
Due to the unique beauty and patterns of granite stone, it is also used in interior and exterior decoration including;
- Kitchen Worktops
- Bathroom Vanity Tops
- Flooring
- Wall Cladding
- Fireplace Surrounds
- Outdoor Paving
- Staircases
Building Facades:
Granite stone is also used for building facades due to its beautiful appearance and high resistance to weathering. This stone is installed as a durable and long-lasting covering on building walls. However, we do not recommend using granite stone for multi-floored buildings. While this stone is very strong and durable and can even be considered the most durable building stone, due to its dense texture, it is extremely heavy and may not have good adhesion with mortar, causing it to fall from heights when used as a facade stone, resulting in potential life and financial damages. Therefore, we recommend travertine stone as a suitable stone for facade work.
Decorative ornaments:
Granite stone is used in ornaments due to its beautiful appearance and unique patterns. This stone is used to decorate products such as dining tables, work tables, clocks, decorative objects, and artistic works.
Crushed Aggregates:
Granite stone is used in the production of crushed aggregates due to its hardness and high resistance. These aggregates are used for asphalt production, concrete, railway ballasts, building materials, and road construction.
Flooring and pavement with granite natural stone
Granite Quarries in Iran
Iran has a rich geological heritage and is known for its diverse range of natural stones, including granite. Some of the notable granite quarries in Iran include:
- Azin Karan Co. Quarry: Located in Isfahan province, this quarry produces a variety of granite stones in different colors and patterns.
- Mahallat Granite Quarry: Situated in Markazi province, this quarry is known for its high-quality granite stones that are used for both local and international markets.
- Yazd Granite Quarry: Located in Yazd province, this quarry produces a range of granite stones that are popular for construction and decorative purposes.
- Khorasan Granite Quarry: Situated in Khorasan Razavi province, this quarry is known for its unique granite stones with distinctive patterns and colors.
- Fars Granite Quarry: Located in Fars province, this quarry produces granite stones that are widely used in construction and building projects.
These are just a few examples of the granite quarries in Iran, and the country has many more quarries producing high-quality granite stones for various applications.
Granite Disadvantages
To be precise and honest enough, added to all these good options granite stone has, there are some disadvantages they have. Including;
Installation:
If you’re just installing a small pre-cut vanity top in your bathroom, you might be able to handle it on your own. However, for larger installations, such as countertops, it’s recommended to hire a professional installer. Granite countertops are heavy and challenging to position correctly, requiring precise cuts and specialized tools to create seamless finishes. Installation experts have received extensive training to ensure optimal results.
Cost:
Granite can be expensive compared to other countertops or building materials. The cost of the stone itself, as well as installation, can add up quickly. However, taking into account factors such as their high resale value, long lifespan, exquisite appearance, and prestigious appeal, determining the true cost can be complex. It is worth noting that the cost of granite countertops can fluctuate significantly in a short period due to their origins from distant locations and the influence of various market conditions across different countries.
Not an insulator:
Granite stones, unlike travertine stones, do not have thermal and sound insulation properties as construction materials. This means that in buildings using granite stones, more energy may be required for heating and cooling systems, and sounds can easily pass through them.
Radiation:
Some granite varieties may emit low levels of radon gas, a naturally occurring radioactive gas. While the levels are typically low and not considered harmful, it’s something to be aware of.
Not Heat Resistant:
While granite is heat resistant to a certain extent, extreme heat can still cause damage such as discoloration or cracking.
Conclusion
As an igneous rock, granite is a tough and compact material that is well-suited for high-traffic areas and cooking enthusiasts. its beauty and durability make it a nice option for indoor and outdoor applications. Granite slabs come in a range of textures, colors, and shapes. In this article we talked about advantages and disadvantages of granite stone application in designing and decorating. Also we introduced quarries, manufacturers and suppliers of this stone. All in all we hope you have found out every detail you need to know about granite stone as an architect, designer or even the building owner to compare materials and find the best choice that meets your needs. Comment us your opinion and help others who are in a similar situation.
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