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Paper Boy · 09-07-2006, 12:19 AM

Granite was used by early civilizations such as the ancient Egyptians and the Romans for building just as we do today.
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Rosemary Sadez Friedmann - Scripps Howard News Service

Next to diamonds, granite is the hardest stone in existence. And it is this little fact that makes granite a prime choice for many interior design applications.

Besides being tough stuff, granite also is beautiful, adding a touch of luxury to a home even as it adds utilitarian touches. As a kitchen tabletop, for instance, granite will wear well. Other practical applications include vanity tops, kitchen counters, consoles, cocktail tables, floors and backsplashes, just to name a few.

The word granite comes from the Latin "granum," meaning grain, in reference to the coarse-grained structure found in the crystalline rock. By definition, granite is a composite of several minerals, including quartz and feldspar, which form into crystalline patterns. It is the patterns and colors that give granite its beauty and cause no two slabs of granite to look exactly the same.

The composite is formed at the heart of the earth, where intense heat boils rocks. This molten rock then cools and solidifies into a hard igneous rock and granite is the result.

Granite was used by early civilizations such as the ancient Egyptians and the Romans for building just as we do today. The only difference is that our current technology allows us to form the granite in much more complex shapes than was possible millenniums ago.

There are various grades of granite and, though all are strong, durable and beautiful, the pricing and color range can differ widely. Many granite dealers grade their supplies. Generally there are three grades: 1, 2 and 3. Grade 1 is the most expensive and can range in price from $40 to $50 per square foot. Grade 2 comes in at about $10 a square foot less than grade 1. Grade 3 can cost as little as $10 to $20 a square foot and in some cases even less. These general prices are for slabs. Granite tiles are available for as little as $2 per square foot.

The colors generally are purer and more robust as the price increases. There are emeralds, blue pearls, blacks, reds and pinks. Reds and pinks are available in all three grades, while the emeralds, blues and blacks are in the more expensive price bracket.

One of the main reasons people select granite is because of its natural beauty. The coloration will never change; it will always be as bright and vibrant as when it is first installed. And it takes another piece of granite or diamonds to cut granite, helping assure a homeowner it won't scratch with normal use. In addition, it's heat resistant so items from the oven can be placed right on the counter without a problem.

Since there are so many choices of color in granite, a word about selection might be appropriate here. When choosing something as significant as flooring or countertops, consider the entire space, not just the slab of granite. Think of the space, not in terms of what it currently is, but of what the space could be. You will be investing a large amount of dollars when buying granite. It is a small thing to repaint the walls or change the handles on the cabinet doors. Reinventing your space, instead of retrofitting it, may be intimidating at first, but with a little patience and a lot of planning, you will end up with a much more professional look.

With the durability, ease of maintenance and beauty of granite, it is certainly a worthwhile investment. And maybe, just as diamonds are a girl's best friend, granite may prove to be a home's best friend.

09-07-2006, 12:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Paper Boy Protege Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: nsraweb forum Posts: 0 Photos 0	Granite Can Be a Home's Best Friend Granite was used by early civilizations such as the ancient Egyptians and the Romans for building just as we do today. Wednesday, September 6, 2006 Rosemary Sadez Friedmann - Scripps Howard News Service Next to diamonds, granite is the hardest stone in existence. And it is this little fact that makes granite a prime choice for many interior design applications. Besides being tough stuff, granite also is beautiful, adding a touch of luxury to a home even as it adds utilitarian touches. As a kitchen tabletop, for instance, granite will wear well. Other practical applications include vanity tops, kitchen counters, consoles, cocktail tables, floors and backsplashes, just to name a few. The word granite comes from the Latin "granum," meaning grain, in reference to the coarse-grained structure found in the crystalline rock. By definition, granite is a composite of several minerals, including quartz and feldspar, which form into crystalline patterns. It is the patterns and colors that give granite its beauty and cause no two slabs of granite to look exactly the same. The composite is formed at the heart of the earth, where intense heat boils rocks. This molten rock then cools and solidifies into a hard igneous rock and granite is the result. Granite was used by early civilizations such as the ancient Egyptians and the Romans for building just as we do today. The only difference is that our current technology allows us to form the granite in much more complex shapes than was possible millenniums ago. There are various grades of granite and, though all are strong, durable and beautiful, the pricing and color range can differ widely. Many granite dealers grade their supplies. Generally there are three grades: 1, 2 and 3. Grade 1 is the most expensive and can range in price from $40 to $50 per square foot. Grade 2 comes in at about $10 a square foot less than grade 1. Grade 3 can cost as little as $10 to $20 a square foot and in some cases even less. These general prices are for slabs. Granite tiles are available for as little as $2 per square foot. The colors generally are purer and more robust as the price increases. There are emeralds, blue pearls, blacks, reds and pinks. Reds and pinks are available in all three grades, while the emeralds, blues and blacks are in the more expensive price bracket. One of the main reasons people select granite is because of its natural beauty. The coloration will never change; it will always be as bright and vibrant as when it is first installed. And it takes another piece of granite or diamonds to cut granite, helping assure a homeowner it won't scratch with normal use. In addition, it's heat resistant so items from the oven can be placed right on the counter without a problem. Since there are so many choices of color in granite, a word about selection might be appropriate here. When choosing something as significant as flooring or countertops, consider the entire space, not just the slab of granite. Think of the space, not in terms of what it currently is, but of what the space could be. You will be investing a large amount of dollars when buying granite. It is a small thing to repaint the walls or change the handles on the cabinet doors. Reinventing your space, instead of retrofitting it, may be intimidating at first, but with a little patience and a lot of planning, you will end up with a much more professional look. With the durability, ease of maintenance and beauty of granite, it is certainly a worthwhile investment. And maybe, just as diamonds are a girl's best friend, granite may prove to be a home's best friend.