All About Countertops


	Home Countertop Information Materials Granite Countertops Brands and Styles Kitchen Countertops Laminate Countertops What's New We add articles regularly so come back and check to make sure that you have all the info that you need!

granite counter top-a > Page 1

Learn About The Granite Counter Top - 2

...Granite is nearly always big, hard and tough. Because granite is so tough, it has gained widespread use as a contstruction stone. Granite counter tops are dense. They have an average denisity of 2.75 g/cm3; with a range of 1.74 to 2.80. The etymology of the word granite is Latin. Granite primarily consists of orthoclase and plagioclase feldspars. It also contains quartz, hornblende and biotite. Muscovite and minor accessory minerals such as magnetite, garnet, zircon and apatite are also present in granite. Rarely, a pyroxene is present. Granite has a beautiful coarse grain from the presence of all of these minerals that make is very lovely for a granite counter top. Granite is classified as a coarse grained plutonic rock.

Geologists use a QAPF diagram to classify granite. A QAPF diagram is a double triangle diagram which is used to classify igneous rocks based on their mineralogic composition. The acronym, QAPF, stands for "Quartz, Alkali feldspar, Plagioclase, Feldspathoid (Foid)". These are the mineral groups used for classification in QAPF diagram. Granite is classified according to the QAPF diagram for coarse grained plutonic rocks (granitoids) and is named according to the percentage of Quartz, Alkali feldspar (orthoclase) and Plagioclase Feldspar on the A-Q-P half of the diagram. Highly peralkaline forms of granite which are silica undersaturated may have a feldspathoid such as nepheline, and are classified on the A-F-P half of the diagram.

As you can see, there are many important decisions that you will need to make concerning your granite countertop. You will be making decisions that you will have to live with for a long time, as we all want improvements that will last forever. You will enjoy your countertop, and be glad that you chose granite in the long run.

Related Articles

Here's The Best Way To Clean Granite Countertop Surfaces

For the most part, granite countertops will never suffer from deep scratches or stains due to normal wear and tear. In fact, granite is so hard and dense that it is unlikely to ever give you such a puzzle. But if you do find a scratch, try this: Find "000" steel wool or finer. Carefully scrub n a ci...

Granite Tile Countertop - It's a Simple Decision

Since you do not require as large of pieces of granite for a granite tile countertop, you may be able to find some sort of deal on granite tiles. In fact, granite tiles are generally less expensive than the same area of tile in slab form. A granite tile countertop is the perfect thing to take on ...