Granite

Granite is a natural stone tied to the origins of time and is the most widespread magmatic, plutonic rock. Granite comes from the cooling and slow crystallization of magma deep within the earth.

Granites exist in a great many colors. These colors are due to the distribution of the minerals and their degree of oxidation. Granite is a very hard rock that offers great resistance and lends itself to a polished finish, giving it a glossy appearance. Insensitive to acids (champagne, soda, wine), it is commonly used for kitchen worktops (in polished, honed or aged finish), for paving slabs (heavy traffic) and for façade cladding (cladding stone). However, the degree of porosity varies from one granite to another and requires a stain-resistant surface treatment. Maintenance is thereby made easier.

Granite can come from different countries such as India, China, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Brazil, and some is even found in France. Depending on the geology of each region of the world, you will find a very wide range of granite colors. These materials generally have an evocative name referring to their color: Steel Grey, Jade Black, Red Multicolor, Blue Pearl, Kashmir White, etc…

Granites are generally made up of a mixture of several colors, which makes it possible to obtain unique designs! Indeed, granites display distinctive patterns formed naturally, and each piece of rock is unique.

Granite also comes in different types of products. Granite can be used both outdoors and indoors, as wall cladding (facing stone) or as floor covering (slabs). Indoors, you will find it, for example, as slabs for the outdoors, granite countertops, or for making interior decorations such as washbasins or furniture.

Of course, each use is different, so you need to choose a suitable granite. To do so, ask a Minéral sales advisor, who will know how to guide you!

There are different types of installation; it remains to be seen whether you want to lay slabs, a countertop, an entrance with pavers, etc…

For paving you have for example laying on a sand bed. This method is reserved for very heavy materials. The slabs must be at least 3 cm thick. You can also replace the sand with small gravel. For the installation of natural stone slabs, it is preferable to contact a professional for more information.

Granite is the most resistant natural stone, afraid of neither water nor stains. It can be said that granite is easy to maintain.

To clean a granite worktop or granite slabs, you can simply use a cloth soaked in water and mild soap. Avoid abrasive products (bleach must be avoided) and prefer, for example, black soap.

The star of kitchens, polished granite is a real delight for housekeepers who don't have much to do to maintain it. It can be cleaned with a simple wipe of a sponge, using a special glass cleaner, which will help it keep all its shine. If it is covered with a stubborn greasy film, a mixture of water and washing-up liquid will do the trick. 

A word to those who dislike housework: polished granite is the one you should choose!

Otherwise, the ideal is still to use specialist products for the care of natural stone. At Minéral you will find many products from the Lithofin brand to maintain or clean your granite.

Its naturally slightly rough surface makes it a perfect material for not slipping, even in wet weather, unlike porcelain stoneware or tiles. For outdoor use, any polished finish is therefore not recommended, as it is far too dangerous. You should therefore opt for a flamed finish which will be better suited to terrace slabs.

Yes, granite is perfectly frost-resistant! Whether natural stone slabs are frost-resistant depends on their absorption capacity. The more water the material absorbs, the more vulnerable it is to low temperatures. If a liquid penetrates the stone in large quantity, it expands during freezing and pushes into the walls and cavities. Chips, cracks and fissures then appear on your terrace. Thus, low temperatures are not the real danger. Problems only occur when water penetrates the natural stone.

Marble and granite are often pitted against each other. Yet, beyond their difference in composition, they differ from one another in many respects.

First of all, their appearance is not at all the same. Granite generally has small black grains in a fairly uniform manner. By contrast, the veins of marble are much more diffuse. They do not look like spots but rather like brushstrokes, more or less pronounced and made lengthwise.

Moreover, in the absence of a specific finish, marble is naturally smoother than granite. Furthermore, in general, granite is more resistant to impacts and temperature variations. That is why granite is particularly well suited to an outdoor environment.

In addition, marble, for its part, is generally more porous, which makes it relatively more fragile. It does not tolerate chemicals.

Marble and granite ultimately differ as much in their technical characteristics as in their appearance.

Granite can absolutely be used for building a swimming pool surround: pool coping, corner pool coping, curved pool coping. We offer a wide selection of granite products in stock at very good value for money, or we make custom-made special pieces in our marble workshop. For made-to-measure items, the price will necessarily be higher than for standard products.

 The pool coping can have a straight chamfer or a half-round edge, which can be honed or polished depending on the desired details. With a flamed finish, the rough texture of this stone is perfect for your swimming pool, you have no risk of slipping on any of the slabs or pool copings. 

Quartz and granite are materials commonly used for kitchen countertops and bathrooms. The price of granite and quartz is similar (apart from certain exotic granites or quartz in very specific colours).

The quartz is an artificial material made of natural stone and synthetic materials.

100% natural, granite is a very hard stone, each piece is polished and cut to measure according to your kitchen's specifications.

The granite is a very durable material and, unlike quartz, it is heat resistant.

Highly appreciated for its aesthetics, this countertop surface is perfect for giving your kitchen a unique character. You will also be able to place hot dishes on it without risk.

There are several types of finish for granite, and each finish has different characteristics and plays a role in the final color of the granite.

Some finishes can lighten the stone, others make it darker.

It is important to seek advice from a professional when selecting the material for your project. Depending on the color chosen by the customer, some finishes are strongly discouraged. For example yellow granites tend to turn pink with a sandblasted-brushed finish.

Each type of product has its preferred finishes. For palisades for example, there is the broached finish, which you will not find on paving, or the split finish, which is only found on pavers. Note that the nosing of stair treads has a polished chamfer. The finishes sandblasted-brushed, flamed, honed, polished, shot-blasted, can also be used on other products such as slabs,  steps,  borders etc… Cladding or veneers are generally offered in a cleft finish (a raw look for a more natural result).

Its qualities make it a material that is equally at home inside and outside a house. Indoors: you can order granite flooring to lay in an entrance hall or in other rooms such as the dining room or living room, the kitchen or even the bathroom. As it is not porous and its absorption capacity is therefore close to zero, it deserves pride of place in a bathroom.

Outdoors, it can be used for building a natural stone staircase or as a floor covering.

Granite is also ideal for your interior and exterior window sills with a chamfer. Not to mention cladding stone such as Mountain Grey or Granit Beige, which can also be installed both indoors and outdoors.

At Minéral you will find for sale and in stock all types of quality granite: colours, formats, product ranges, finishes at a very attractive price… Would you like a quotation for a specific project? Simply contact your nearest Minéral store, and a sales advisor will be able to respond to your request quickly.

We offer a range of standard products in stock in large quantities. With a permanent stock of +30,000 m², Minéral puts all its experience to work to satisfy you. As for deliveries, goods can be collected from our stores, and we also offer home delivery throughout France.